Fear of velvet?

Royal Purple Velvet

At my company, Harobed Designs, we just sold another of our lovely Poet Jackets (TM) - which made me think about velvet and the sometimes puzzling reaction I hear from women about it.

First, though, the velvet we use for our Poet Jackets is not the old almost-impossible-to-work-with velvet, which frayed as soon as it saw a pair of scissors and left tufts of itself all over the place while you were working with it.  No, the velvet we use for our Poet Jackets is the lovely modern stretch velvet, with gorgeous properties, not just the colors, but the way it cuts cleanly and doesn't fray... the way it holds its shape... the way it can be machine washed if you so desire...  Velvet that has come a long way since the Middle Ages.

Which leads me to... why is it people, in the modern era, when we are all supposed to be equal, seem to be so afraid of velvet?  Women will admire my Poet Jacket when I wear it and then say: "Oh, but that's too luxurious for me!" or "I could never wear anything as gorgeous as that...". 

Dusk Blue velvet

This concerns me because in the Middle Ages, there were what's known as sumptuary laws, and velvet was a forbidden fabric.  That's right, if you weren't a member the nobility, you weren't supposed to wear it.  Does this mean that some programming went into our DNA long ago, triggering a present-day obedience to these long-defunct laws? 

Perhaps it's time to take another look at all fabrics -silk, velvet, brocade, satin and more - nowadays, all come in  easy-to-wear, easy-care versions.  If nothing else, you'll be striking a blow for equality, since most, in antiquity, were restricted  to those with a title.  Something to think about, next time you are shopping for clothing...

Periwinkle velvet

Pink Blush velvet

Copyright Deborah C. Sawyer