There are many debates concerning whether velvet and velour are truly interchangeable textiles. However, it has been found that velvet and velour are two distinct materials, each with its unique feel and look. Both textiles have a long and complicated history that continues to baffle the general public. Do you, a fashionista or a lover of exotic fabrics, wish you knew more about these materials?
These materials are virtually indistinguishable from one another. However, there are significant differences between them that can help you choose the optimal fabric quickly. This guide aims to shed light on the distinctions between velvet and velour. What follows is an exploration of the distinctions between velvet and velour.
Definitions
In What Ways Is Velvet Unique?
Traditional velvet has always been crafted from silk. It is finely woven and has a short pile, giving it a glossy, velvety touch. These days, wool, linen, and synthetic fibers like polyester are all fair game when it comes to creating velvet. Since silk is so costly, manufacturers have combined it with cheaper fibers to create rayon. Although cotton velvet is less common, it is possible to create.
Originating in the Middle East, where it was worn only by royalty, the wealthy, and the aristocracy, velvet has come to represent the epitome of decadence and opulence. Due to the high cost of silk, velvet also rose in price. Velvet is a sumptuous fabric that is both soft and glossy, making for a particularly lovely drape. This cluster is a result of the short pile fibers’ ability to reflect light.
Even though China and India produce the bulk of the world’s velvet, you can find this luxurious fabric just about anywhere. Because velvet fabrics were first produced from silk, they are commonly used for formal wear. The introduction of synthetic velvet has brought the luxury fabric within reach of more individuals than ever before. Curtains, blankets, cushions, and other home decor items that call for a soft, elegant fiber are often made from velvet.
What Exactly is Velour?
Contrarily, velour is a knitted fabric made from a cut pile rather than a looped pile. While traditional velour was made entirely of cotton, most modern velour is a blend of cotton and polycotton. Velour can also be made entirely out of synthetic fibers like polyester.
The similarities between velvet and cotton make telling them apart extremely challenging. The cut pile characteristic of velour is achieved by knitting looped threads and then cutting them. Velour is a similar fabric to velvet, but with a somewhat different feel and look because of its characteristic nap. Velour, a fabric of Middle Eastern origins, was once widely used by the affluent. People who wanted the look of velvet but couldn’t afford it opted for velour because it provided the same sense of luxury and decadence at a lower price.
Velvet is often used in athletic apparel because of its softness and comfort. Because of its lightweight nature, these brands primarily used polyester and cotton to create tracksuits and sportswear. The fabric can be used for anything that calls for a gentle touch since it is commonly used to make loungewear, footwear, blankets, and robes. In comparison to velvet, the cost of and demand for velour is much lower. Let’s compare velvet to its close relative, velour.
Given our current knowledge, it’s easy to see why most people get velvet and velour confused. According to the dictionary, the only distinction between velvet and velour is the type of fiber used and the price. The following are some of the main distinctions between velvet and velour. The similarities and differences between these two materials can help us learn more about them.
Texture
Both velvet and velour are soft, one-way napped fabrics made from tiny loops of fiber, thus despite their different production processes, they feel very similar to the touch. You can see the colour shift if you run your palm up the fabric, from the bottom to the top.
As time passes, the fabric’s colours fade or get darker. This information is crucial for any project with any fabric. You should slice the fabric vertically so that the change is not immediately noticeable.
The small loops formed by the fibers of velvet give the fabric its lustrous sheen. On the contrary, velour materials’ cut-out loops dull the fabric’s sheen.
Breathability
This quality is completely independent of any other factors, including dyes or finishes. Synthetic textiles, like velour, for example, are not as breathable as natural ones. By contrast, cotton velour fabrics would often display the qualities of cotton materials, which is the reason why they would be breathable.
On the other hand, if velvet is manufactured from linen, it will allow air to pass through it. Linen, a favorite summer fabric, gives velvet its airiness and lightness. Therefore, the velvet will undoubtedly have the airy qualities of linen fibers.
Moreover, velvet and velour fabrics aren’t ideal for use in warm climates and weather. Instead, you can count on them to keep you toasty in the winter.
Stretch
Although stretch velvet exists, it is not commonly associated with comfort or ease. The velvet material has an increased amount of spandex, making it elastic and comfortable to wear. With its about 50% stretch, this variant is great for form-fitting garments. In general, velvet is chosen for garments that will hang loosely rather than be tight to the body. This level of stretch permits a comfortable range of motion. Because of its expansive and opulent look, the fabric is also commonly used to make upholstery and curtains.
On the other hand, velour is stretchier than velvet. Flexibility is enhanced in velour because it is a knit fabric. To begin, velour is constructed from synthetic fibers, making it ideal for elasticized clothing.
Softness
In general, velvet and velour are both quite comfortable to wear. Whether a fabric is knitted or woven, the loops give it a luxuriously soft texture. Identifying the softest of two fabrics might be challenging at times.
The thickness of the knit or weave, however, can change the fabric’s softness. Fabrics used indoors, for instance, must stand up to greater wear and tear than those used for apparel, thus they may be less plush.
Maintenance
There is not much of a difference between velvet and velour when it comes to care and maintenance. There is a widespread belief that velvet requires extensive upkeep, even though both fabrics may be spot-cleaned and can be handled roughly with equal success. Despite common belief, velvet is not easily damaged and, with care, can last for decades.
If you take care of your velvet furnishings, they will continue to look gorgeous for years to come. The majority of the velvet has been treated using stain repellents, so any liquid stains may usually be removed by gently dabbing them with a moist towel. Including velvet in your normal cleaning regimen is the easiest way to keep it looking great.
Nevertheless, velour is more fragile and needs special treatment to maintain its luxurious and attractive appearance. When it’s dirty and dusty, it loses its suppleness and becomes stiff. Another thing: velour needs a dry cleaner’s touch.
Flammability
In addition, velour’s synthetic composition makes it resistant to flames. Velour fabric is naturally flame-resistant due to its synthetic fiber, however, it must be treated to get this quality. This fabric’s fireproof properties make it a better choice than velvet made from natural fibers.
Velvet comes in a wide variety of materials, from polyester to wool to silk to linen. Linen, in contrast to wool and silk, burns with relative ease. It’s crucial to pay attention to the fiber makeup of fabrics to guarantee fire-retardant qualities. Therefore, for your safety and peace of mind, check that the interior fabrics are fire-resistant. Make sure the fabrics have been treated for fire safety as well.
Affordability
Velvet is typically more expensive than other fabrics because silk was the original fiber used to weave it. Velvet is typically more expensive than other materials because of its luxurious appearance. Therefore, only aristocrats and royalty could afford to wear velvet. However, those who were unable to purchase velvet had a more affordable option in velour. Cotton made the fabric more affordable, and it eventually became more popular among the wealthy than velvet.
Even though velvet has become more affordable thanks to the introduction of polyester, it is still more costly than velour fabrics. Even though the prices are relatively similar, velvet continues to be more costly. The fabric’s gloss and the connotations of luxury in its name contribute to this perception.
Is It Velvet or Velour?
It’s easy to get confused between velvet and velvet velour because the two fabrics are so similar. Both are appropriate for manufacturing the same types of clothing because of their softness and luxury feel. However, neither of them is superior to the other. Which option you go with is entirely up to you. To what end are you working? Can you give me an idea of your budget? You should think about these things before deciding between velvet and velour. However, velvet and velour are both fantastic options.