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Stars in Velvet Dresses Perfect for the Holidays: Lady Gaga, Selena Gomez & More

By:
December 19, 2023 11:30AM EST
Selena Gomez
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shutterstock

The holiday season is here, and velvet is the perfect fabric to wear to your next Christmas event – just like these stars!

Feeling plush! Velvet is a timeless winter trend, perfectly fit for all the festivities of the holiday season. Cozy, luxurious, and gorgeous in every single color, the material is a go-to for fashionistas with a calendar packed with winter parties. Celebrities love velvet on the red carpet too, often strutting around in soft, shiny silhouettes at premieres and awards shows.

As celebrity stylist Rachel Zoe told Bustle in Dec. 2021, “You can pretty much be sure that my holiday attire has always been covered in velvet, sequins, metallics, and beautiful fall colors like deep bordeauxs. I always love to do a great sequin top, cocktail dresses, and jumpsuits.”

Need some inspiration before your next holiday bash? Look no further than our famous friends.

From Selena Gomez to Kim Kardashian to Olivia Culpo, Kendall Jenner, and plenty more, keep clicking through the gallery to see celebrities that slayed the velvet trend.

1 of 34

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez
John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Selena Gomez was classic in a black Toteme dress during the Variety Hitmakers Brunch in Los Angeles on Dec. 3, 3033. Her dress hugged her hips and had a mermaid-style flare at the bottom.

December 20, 2022, 11:30AM
2 of 34

Zoe Saldana

Zoe Saldana
John Salangsang/Shutterstock

Zoe Saldana looked darling in a Schiaparelli bubble dress during the LA premiere of Avatar: The Way of Water on Dec. 12, 2022. She teamed the strapless look with a ruby choker.

December 20, 2022, 11:30AM
3 of 34

Gabrielle Union

Gabrielle Union
Erik Pendzich/Shutterstock

Gabrielle Union looked like a work of art wearing a black velet Fendi dress to the 32nd Annual Gotham Awards on Nov. 28, 2022. The dress was painted to look like there was an ancient sculpture on it.

December 20, 2022, 11:30AM
4 of 34

Kylie Jenner

Kylie Jenner
TheRealSPW/ MEGA

Kylie Jenner steps out in Paris in a dangerously plunging blue velvet dress. She paired the look with a chunky necklace and her hair styled in an updo.

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
5 of 34

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek
AlanDWest / BACKGRID

Salma Hayek isi gorgeous in a purple velvet gown at the EE British Academy Awards. She paired the look with chunky black heels and an updo.

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
6 of 34

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian
Jackson Lee / SplashNews.com

Kim Kardashian leaves a dinner date with Pete Davidson in a long-sleeved velvet dress. She completed her look with sunglasses and a sleek ponytail.

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
7 of 34

Kristen Stewart

Kristen Stewart
Johns PKI / SplashNews.com

Kristen Stewart wows on the red carpet in a pink velvet, floor length dress by designer August Getty at The 2021 GOTHAM AWARDS. She wore her hair up to show off the gown.

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
8 of 34

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Lady Gaga  arrives at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala held at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures on September 25, 2021. She wore a black velvet dress and blue cape.

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
9 of 34

Addison Rae

Addison Rae
Felipe Ramales / SplashNews.com

Addison Rae looks amazing as she exits her hotel during New York City Fashion Week. She wore a blue velvet minidress with white polka dots and spaghetti-strap high heels.

 

December 9, 2022, 8:22AM
10 of 34

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga
Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Lady Gaga hits the red carpet at the premiere of ‘House of Gucci.’ She wore a halter-style velvet Armani Privé dress with a giant cutout at her chest.

Gaga released her special ‘One Last Time: An Evening With Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga’ on Paramount+ in late Nov. 2021, ahead of the holiday season. In the special, the duo performed classics like “Lady Is a Tramp,” “New York, New York,” “Luck Be a Lady,” and “Love for Sale”. The program captured Tony’s last performance before his retirement. He took his final bow in Aug. 2021 amid a battle with Alzheimer’s disease. 

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
11 of 34

Selena Gomez

Selena Gomez
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shut

Selena Gomez rocks a Prada velvet dress with open-toed black heels. She wore the look to the ACLU SoCal’s Annual Bill of Rights Dinner in 2019.

Selena opened up a bit about her 2021 holiday plans with Entertainment Tonight, saying, “Every year we do a white elephant, and usually, those are hilarious gifts. It just consists of adults playing with dumb toys and a bunch of kids being happy. And a lot of good food. I’m really looking forward to being with my family. It’s been a busy year for me, so I’m excited.”

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
12 of 34

Dixie D’Amelio

Dixie D’Amelio
Rob Latour/Shutterstock

Dixie D’Amelio attends the 2021 LACMA: Art + Film Gala in Los Angeles. She wore a long-sleeved velvet dress with thigh-high leg slit. 

TikTok star Dixie opened up about her holiday plans with 103.5 KISS FM at Dec. 8th’s Jingle Ball. She said she was “excited” to have a cozy, family Christmas, something they hadn’t been able to do for “years” because of their busy careers. “I’m excited,” she said. “We’re going to do like full unwrapping presents Christmas morning. I’m going to sleep at my parent’s house the night before. I’m so excited because I feel like I’ve been missing that the past couple of years.”

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
13 of 34

Chloe Bailey

Chloe Bailey
AFF-USA/Shutterstock

Chloe Bailey shows major leg while walking the red carpet at the 2021 American Music Awards. Her one-shouldered, velvet dress totally stood out as she posed. Chloe Bailey will likely be celebrating with famous sister Halle and family.

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
14 of 34

Natalie Portman

Natalie Portman
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Natalie Portman wears an off-the-shoulder black velvet dress and open-toed heels. Her look was perfect for the Unforgettable Evening Under the Stars to benefit the LA Dance Project in Oct. 2021.

Natalie Portman has two kids with husband Benjamin Millepied. During the holidays they celebrate both Christmas and Hannukah. “I celebrate Hanukkah, I’m Jewish, but my husband’s family celebrates Christmas,” Portman explained on Jimmy Fallon in 2016. “So we usually do Hanukkah at ours and Christmas at theirs. But this year it’s the same time, which is really nice!” Natalie said she got her first Christmas tree in 2016, joking that it was “every Jew’s secret wish to have a Christmas tree”.

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
15 of 34

Salma Hayek

Salma Hayek
Andrew H. Walker/Shutterstock

Salma Hayek slays the red carpet at the ‘House of Gucci’ premiere on November 2021. She wore a blue velvet dress with a diamond-encrusted collar.

Salma talked about finding her style in a vintage interview with Oprah Winfrey, where she said, “Find your own style. Don’t spend your savings trying to be someone else. You’re not more important, smarter, or prettier because you wear a designer dress.”

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
16 of 34

Eva Longoria

Eva Longoria
Image Press Agency/NurPhoto/Shut

Eva Longoria attends the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures Opening Gala in Sept. 2021. She wore a plunging velvet dress with thin straps and completed her look with red lipstick.

Eva shared some of her holiday traditions with Us Weekly in Dec. 2021, explaining how people celebrate the holiday on Christmas Eve in Mexican culture. “I’m Mexican, so we celebrate on [Christmas Eve],” she said.

“We don’t really do the Christmas morning, like, wait for Santa or, like, somehow Santa came at 2:00 p.m. and here are all the presents. We do the huge meal and presents and all of that the night of the 24th. And then we usually go to mass at midnight. And that’s tradition.”

November 23, 2021, 1:44PM
17 of 34

Rihanna

Rihanna
John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx

Rihanna looked absolutely amazing while attending her 5th annual Diamond Ball in 2019. She wore a long-sleeved, black velvet dress that hugged every inch of her figure and flared at the bottom. She completed the look with an updo and red lipstick.

Rihanna told Closer magazine about her favorite parts of the holidays in Dec. 2020, saying, “It‘s kind of a cliché, but there is just something I love about decorating the tree. It’s just one of those traditions where you can declare Christmas has started as soon as the tree goes up.”

She added, “It’s important to be with friends and family — but I feel at such peace when I am there. It is the most beautiful place, with incredible, beaches, food, and people.”

November 18, 2020, 10:20AM
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Katy Perry

Katy Perry
Xavier Collin/Image Press Agency

Katy Perry wears the perfect holiday-inspired velvet look while performing at Jingle Ball in 2019. Her pink and purple dress was covered in hearts and she completed the look with matching pink boots.

Katy admitted she was cuckoo for Christmas with Billboard in 2019, saying, “It’s really fun to be around me for Christmas because I do the most. It’s almost feelings of being a kid again, and that’s the most precious thing to me, is to always have that playfulness.”

 

November 18, 2020, 10:21AM
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Lily Collins

Lily Collins
zz/John Nacion/STAR MAX/IPx

Lily Collins rocked a one-shouldered black mini dress while attending the premiere of ‘Extremely Wicked, Shockingly Evil and Vila.’ She paired the look with tights and pointy-toed heels.

Lily told Vogue about her favorite holiday traditions in 2018, revealing, “My favorite thing to do at Christmas is to get the tree.” The daughter of Phil Collins added, “We always go to the same Christmas tree lot, then to the local pub and afterwards for a curry. I really hibernate.”

Talking about her seasonal style, she told the fashion tome, “Christmas is an overload for the senses, so I try not to overload my party look. When I think of the holidays I think of tartan and Vivienne Westwood. There’s something very Christmassy and opulent about her looks that I love.”

November 18, 2020, 10:23AM
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Cardi B

Cardi B
Rothschild Media/STAR MAX/IPx

Cardi B hit the 2018 MTV Video Music Awards in an off-the-shoulder, pink velvet dress. The ensemble featured a thigh-high slit and she wore pink shoes to match.

The star will be spending the holidays with husband Offset and their 2 kids. Daughter Kulture is 3 and the couple welcomed a son in Sep.

November 18, 2020, 10:25AM
21 of 34

Kim Kardashian

Kim Kardashian
Michael Buckner/Variety/Shutters

Kim Kardashian West attends the 2019 Creative Arts Emmy Awards. She wore a one-shouldered velvet dress that hugged her figure to perfection.

Though the bombshell asked to be declared “legally single” in Dec. 2021, ex-husband Kanye West is still welcome to spend Christmas with Kim and family. An insider told Us Weekly that Kanye “will be invited to all holidays and family celebrations.” They added that the SKIMS mogul “wants Kanye to be a big part of the kids’ lives”.

November 27, 2019, 10:08AM
22 of 34

Brooke Shields

Brooke Shields
Gregory Pace/Shutterstock

Brooke Shields covers up in a navy blue velvet dress with a high neckline at a fashion gala in NYC. She paired the look with bold red lipstick.

Brooke said she regrets throwing away some of her wild 80s duds, telling the New York Post in Nov. 2021, “I wish I didn’t throw away all my big shoulder pads.” She explained, “Fashion felt really good then. It was fun, and it was colorful. Just those shapes that are coming back — the higher-waisted jeans, the jackets. The Reeboks with the socks shoved down! I just remember feeling like I’d really figured it out.”

November 27, 2019, 10:08AM
23 of 34

Kelly Osbourne

Kelly Osbourne
Matt Baron/Shutterstock

Kelly Osbourne stuns on the American Music Awards red carpet in a long-sleeved velvet dress. She looked fierce as she posed for photos.

Kelly talked about some of her famous family’s holiday traditions during a chat with CBS in Dec. 2016. “We have very English traditions,” she said. “We celebrate Christmas dinner on Christmas Eve and then we take all the leftovers from the food from the night before and mix it with the mashed potatoes and turn them into patties and fry them. In England, that’s called ‘bubble and squeak.’

“Then most of us just sit in our pajamas, watching whatever my dad [rocker Ozzy Osbourne] has chosen, because if he doesn’t like what we’re watching, he’ll talk through the whole thing. However, when he picks the movie that we’ve watched 25 times, we’re not allowed to say a word, cause he’ll shush us through the whole thing.”

November 27, 2019, 10:07AM
24 of 34

Kendall Jenner

Kendall Jenner
Shutterstock

Kendall Jenner wears a glittery gold wrap-dress ensemble. The long-sleeve velvet mini-dress came with a tie, which cinched her waist, and the v-neck showed off some extra skin.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
25 of 34

Lady Gaga

Lady Gaga
Shutterstock

Lady Gaga stuns in a one-shoulder velvet Ralph & Russo floor-length, curve-hugging gown. She paired the dress with a simple black heel and her hair in an updo.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
26 of 34

Olivia Culpo

Olivia Culpo
Broadimage/REX/Shutterstock

Olivia Culpo wows in a strapless velvet blue ensemble. She leaves her neck bare, but accessorizes with dangling earrings, a ring, and dark clutch.

Olivia talked about her family’s “open-door policy” at Christmas with Elite Daily in 2017. She said, “I grew up in a huge family, so for Christmas we do the Seven Fishes, we do a huge Thanksgiving — open door policy, anyone can come that wants to come.”

Olivia added, “We have a lot of traditions, one of which is to make holiday cookies, and pesto, and pizza/calzones. We do tons of drinks and food, and it’s really just about getting people together, and there’s really just no rules for making a fun party. It’s just about relaxing and having fun.

December 23, 2018, 11:46AM
27 of 34

Cindy Crawford

Cindy Crawford
Shutterstock

Supermodel Cindy Crawford wears an off-the-shoulder Marchesa black velvet gown at the British Fashion Awards. The gown featured a sexy leg slit that allowed her to show some skin, too.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
28 of 34

Miranda Kerr

Miranda Kerr
Shutterstock

Who says florals are just for spring? Miranda Kerr opts for a knee-length velvet Gucci dress, which features shoulder pads and flowery embellishments.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
29 of 34

Alexa Chung

Alexa Chung
Shutterstock

Alexa Chung wears an unexpected yellow velvet dress to brighten usual duller winter hues. Alex’a dress has a buttoned-up collar, and horizontal lines and lace to add texture.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
30 of 34

Dominique Jackson

Dominique Jackson
Shutterstock

Model Dominique Jackson attends TrevorLIFE in a plunging-neckline velvet dress, which cinches and ties at her waist. She matches her look with glittery heels and silver jewelry.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
31 of 34

Bebe Rexka

Bebe Rexka
Shutterstock

Bebe Rexha rocks a red animal print coat to add a little feistiness to her simple LBD and black boots. She posed with her hands on her hips as she rocked the look.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
32 of 34

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood
Shutterstock

Carrie Underwood wows with a thigh-high slit in her velvet dress, which has shoulder cutouts, a v-neck, and gold ornamentation. She popped her leg out to pose for photos in the sexy ensemble.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
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Sarah Jessica Parker

Sarah Jessica Parker
Shutterstock

Sarah Jessica Parker battles the New York cold and keeps warm in a long-sleeve, knee-length leopard print velvet dress. She wore her hair in loose curls and rocked dark eye makeup to complete her full ensemble.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM
34 of 34

Ellen Pompeo

Ellen Pompeo
Shutterstock

Ellen Pompeo adds some festive fun to a regular LBD by making it velvet. The mini-dress hits mid-thigh, but balances by covering more skin up top.

December 23, 2018, 11:20AM