This week’s Sassy Fashionista blog post will be my last until after Christmas.

As a result, I thought I would feature something with a holiday feel.

In this case, a lovely black velvet blazer I just picked up for 40 percent off at Express.

That sale continues. Check it out if you’re in the market for some great fashion buys and your budget allows.

I was thrilled when I came upon this quality, fitted velvet blazer while checking out all the other fashion goodies in the store.

I’d been searching for such a key piece ever since I somehow lost my favorite DKNY velvet blazer in Paris a few years ago.

My best guess is that I left it on a chair while people watching at a favorite Parisian neighborhood cafe. In part, because I don’t like to think that someone may have lifted it from the closet in my hotel room.

It was a longer blazer of good quality and fit, fully lined and I got it on sale. I loved that blazer! I wore it often while shopping in Paris for more goodies.

I was crushed when I realized it did not come home with me.

Since then, I’ve found other black velvet blazers, but none have had the perfect fit and quality of the DKNY piece, or the great price.

While I’ve spent the last three years seriously cleaning out my closets and focusing on less and of more quality, this is one piece that has remained elusive on my fashion wish list. I was thrilled to find it almost by accident, hidden among all the black fashion pieces on the Express racks. And there were lots of great pieces that caught my attention.

I went up in size to a large and it fits me perfectly. It is a slim cut, which I also love, fully lined, with pockets (love) and kick pleat in the back and brass buttons. The velvet is just as luscious and soft as the DKNY piece, and the price even better.

The cost after the 40 percent discount was around $115. A great price and fit. I felt like maybe I had finally willed this coveted piece into my overloaded Express shopping bag.

Given the great sale and inventory, I couldn’t resist adding a couple of other Express pieces to the bag. I love their quality, price and style. Usually.

I’ve paired the new blazer here with one of those pieces, a pair of grey jeans, which I sized up in for comfort and a slightly more relaxed fit. There is little worse than ill-fitting jeans that are too tight or too low rise. These are comfortable and stylish, and I think they look great with this blazer.

But this jacket will look equality cool with a t shirt and sneakers in the summer.

With this piece, I’m also wearing a black cami from a past Express purchase, a great new brown Kate Spade crossbody purse that I scored at T.J. Maxx for around $125 (original price was almost $400), and these cool new boots purchased from Zappos earlier in the fall.

All in all, a comfortable, stylish and affordable outfit made more sophisticated by the velvet blazer.

It paid for me to wait until the price, fit and quality were at least as good as my past blazer. Express knocked this one out of the park, as they often do. Can’t go wrong with good velvet.

This one will be my holiday go to, and beyond. A forever closest piece.

Have you purchased any velvet pieces this season?

Happy Holidays!!

Check back with Sassy Fashionista after the first, when winter sales will be in full swing. I don’t need anything. But if the price is right…… Never say never.

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