Velvet Bodysuit

A zip runs the length of the high-fork leg on the long-sleeve style, so you decide how much skin the cut shows before you ever leave the house. That kind of control is what makes a velvet bodysuit worth owning: the pile catches low light and reads richer than the $15 to $38 price tags suggest. The turtleneck version covers you to the jaw and tucks flat under a blazer, while the bow halter drops the back open for nights when the room is warm and you want to feel it. Wine is the color that does the most work here, deep enough to wear past September and forgiving against most skin tones. Sizing on velvet bodysuits runs close to the body, since the fabric stretches but does not hide much, so size up if you want the snaps to sit comfortably through a long dinner. Pair the zip style with wide-leg trousers and let the leg slit do the talking. Hand-wash and lay flat to keep the nap from flattening. Layer the turtleneck under a slip dress in colder weeks, or wear the halter alone with high-waisted denim when it is just you and the night out. ## Frequently asked questions **Do velvet bodysuits run true to size?** They run close to the body. The velvet has stretch but holds its shape, so it shows your frame rather than skimming over it. If you want room through the hips or a relaxed fit at the snap closure, size up one. Between sizes, go up for the high-fork and turtleneck styles. **How do I wash a velvet bodysuit without ruining the nap?** Hand-wash in cold water and lay flat to dry. Machine drying and wringing crush the pile, which is what gives velvet its depth. Steam lightly from the inside if it creases; do not press a hot iron directly on the surface. **What do I wear with the high-fork and halter styles?** The zip high-fork long-sleeve pairs well with wide-leg trousers, since the leg slit reads as the statement. The bow halter backless style works with high-waisted denim or a midi skirt for a night out, and the turtleneck layers cleanly under a blazer or slip dress.