Velvet & satin

Velvet and satin, picked out for party season and the colder months. Every piece here is one of a kind, checked, graded and photographed by hand, so what you see is the actual garment you'll receive. The rail typically runs from evening dresses and satin tops to soft velvet pieces with a boxy fit, in UK sizes 4 to 26. Most are graded Very good, with the occasional piece still carrying its tags.

8 products

Buying preloved velvet and satin

What turns up on the rail

Velvet and satin come in from a wide mix of labels. You'll regularly see Next, Monsoon and Marks & Spencer alongside Apricot, New Look, Urban Outfitters, Shein and BM. Styles lean towards evening and occasionwear, with a steady run of Y2K satin pieces, short sleeve velvet tops and boxier cuts. Patterns are usually plain, but abstract prints, florals and stripes turn up often enough to be worth a look.

What to check on preloved velvet and satin

Both fabrics show wear differently to cotton or jersey, so it pays to read the photos and the grade together.

  • Pile crush on velvet. Look at the seat, the elbows and anywhere a strap would sit. Flattened pile reads as a lighter patch in photos and often lifts with steam, but not always.
  • Seam pulls on satin. Satin weave snags easily, so check side seams, zip edges and the hem for small pulled threads.
  • Underarm areas. Satin can mark where deodorant has touched it. Our grading notes cover anything visible, and the photos show the garment as it is.
  • Fit and cut. Boxy fit and Y2K cuts sit very differently on the body to a tailored shape. Measurements of any item are available on request before you buy, which matters more here than with stretch fabrics.
  • Linings. On occasion dresses, the lining takes the wear first. Check the photos of the inside if they're there, and ask if you want more.

Why buy these preloved

Velvet and satin are often bought for one event and worn once, so preloved versions turn up in strong condition. You also get access to styles that are no longer in the shops, including older Monsoon occasionwear and Y2K satin shapes that current ranges don't copy exactly. Because every listing is a single item, nothing here is part of a size run, which means the piece you pick won't be in the same room as five others on the night. Tracked UK delivery is standard, dispatch is within 2 working days, standard delivery is free over £50, and there's 14 days to return anything for any reason.

Common questions

How should I wash velvet and satin pieces?

Check the care label on the garment first, as it stays with the piece. As a rule, satin does best on a cool delicate cycle inside a mesh bag or by hand, and velvet is usually better steamed than ironed, since direct heat flattens the pile. Hang velvet rather than folding it if you have the space.

Will the colour match the photos exactly?

Satin especially catches light, so the same dress can read lighter in one shot and deeper in another. We photograph every item by hand so you're seeing the real garment rather than a stock image, but screens vary. If the shade matters for an occasion, ask before you order.

Does a Very good grade mean there are flaws?

Very good means the piece has been worn but is in strong condition, with any marks or wear noted in the listing. On velvet that often means a touch of pile crush somewhere low-contrast; on satin it can be a tiny snag. Most of this rail sits at Very good, with the occasional New with tags piece.

The sizes go from 4 to 26, but will a size 12 fit me?

Honestly, not always. Occasionwear sizing varies a lot between labels and across years, and older Monsoon or Next pieces can run smaller than a current high street 12, while boxy fit styles run wider at the chest. Ask for measurements before you buy rather than relying on the label.

Can I return a party dress if it doesn't work for the event?

Yes. You have 14 days to return anything for any reason, and 30 days if a piece turns out to be faulty or not as described. Try it on indoors with the tags left as they are, and keep in mind dispatch is within 2 working days, so order with time to spare before the date.

I can't see the velvet piece I had in mind. What now?

Stock is one-of-one and new listings go up most days, so the rail looks different from one week to the next. If you're after a particular colour, label or shape, use the contact form to ask whether something like it is in stock right now.