VelvetGala cutGold braidXS to 4XL
In short: Velvet, not satin. A fabric that absorbs light instead of throwing it back, in the tradition of Mexican gala shorts. Black and gold. 8 sizes, XS to 4XL. €49.
Velvet, the signature of Mexican fight kit
Mexico has its own school of boxing — walk forward, take one to land two, work the body — and it has its own dress codes too. The most recognisable is velvet, the fabric of the gala kit worn by generations of champions.
Velvet behaves in the opposite way to satin. Where satin throws light back in a flat sheet, velvet absorbs it and returns depth: the black reads as black rather than as a highlight, and gold braid on it stands clear.
What the shorts look like
Black velvet across the whole surface, with a matt, deep finish. Broad gold ornaments cover the hip and upper thigh, outlined in contrast thread. The wide waistband is velvet as well, edged with a gold trim.
Why velvet is gala kit and not training kit
Velvet has a pile: it holds its depth but it does not shed sweat the way a satin polyester does, and it does not want to be washed three times a week. That is why it lives on the walkout rather than in the weekly rotation.
It also has less give than satin, which is worth knowing when you choose the size.
Technical specifications
Worth knowing: velvet is walkout fabric. It photographs far better than satin under lights and it is not the pair you wash after every session.
Getting the size right
European cut — take your usual size. Eight sizes, XS to 4XL. Velvet has less give than satin: between two sizes, the larger is the right call.
Also worth a look
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a velvet and a satin short?
Light. Satin throws it back in a flat sheet; velvet absorbs it and returns depth, so black reads as black and gold braid stands clear. Velvet also has a pile, less give, and is gala rather than training kit.
Why do Mexican boxers wear velvet?
It is the fabric of the gala kit worn by generations of Mexican champions, and it is now one of the visual codes of that school alongside the pressure style itself.
Do these fit true to size?
Yes, but velvet has less give than satin. Take your usual size, and between two sizes take the larger.
Can you train in them?
They are built for the walkout and the camera. Velvet holds its depth but does not shed sweat the way satin polyester does, so a satin short is the sensible pair for three sessions a week.
