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Velvet Vs Velour: How To Tell Them Apart? Which Is Better?

Velvet Vs Velour: How To Tell Them Apart? Which Is Better?

Whether you consider yourself a fashionista or just an enthusiast for exotic fabrics, Velour and Velvet have a substantial history of commonly mistaken them as the same material. It is entirely understandable since both share incredible similarities. However, there are some key differences to quickly tell them apart and choose which is better to use.

Velvet is characterized by its softness and glossy look, and it is usually made of upholstery fabric. In regards to Velour, it is considered an affordable imitation that looks very similar, but it is made from other synthetic materials and has less sheen.

This article will review some distinctions between the two, how to use the words appropriately, along with some example sentences. In the end, there would be a brief history of its origin along with a summary of everything stated.

dark blue velvet fabric

Definition Of The Terms And Their Usage

Velvet Definition

The word “velvet” is a piece of cloth, or soft material usually made up of upholstery fabric like silk, cotton, wool, nylon, or rayon. It is characterized by its softness and glossy sheen. In addition, this textile has a thicker layer of short-cut piles on one side.

The primary usage of velvet in the fashion industry is for dresses or clothing pieces, curtains, pillows, drapes, and furniture due to the fact that it is a very durable fabric, especially velvet that is made up of cotton or polyester.

Producing velvet fabrics requires using long threads between two pieces of cloth, and they are cut short into a pile. What makes it very recognizable is the pile weave structure, where yarns (made from linen, silk, or wool) are woven into smaller loops that give velvet that smooth surface.

In terms of fabric properties, the composition is a multi-layer fabric that has denser piles and a soft surface. It has a high percentage of breathability and a lower stretchability, making it more common to use for bedding, eveningwear, and hats. Also, it is a very sleek and soft material that traditionally was expensive to produce back in the days, which is why this cloth is associated with high society and luxury.

Velour Definition

In regard to the definition of the term “velour,” it is a plush woven or knitted material usually made of silk, cotton, or any synthetic fabric. It is an affordable imitation of silk since they are similar in touch but lack that glossy look in the piece of cloth. It is used for soft furnishings, clothing pieces like sweatsuits and dresses, or home accents like pillows and blankets.

In relation to velour’s properties, the composition is cotton, leather, or any synthetic fabric. It has a medium breathability score and depending on the material, it can have some stretchability. In addition, it is a soft fabric and pile knit fabric that defines how simple it is to produce it. It has also been proved that it is more durable than velvet while still retaining the properties of luxurious fabric. The most common usage is stage curtains, bathrobes, and jewelry cases.

Velvet Vs Velour

It can be highlighted that velvet is a soft woven fabric that can be made primarily from polyester, silk, rayon, or blends of these, which makes it more luxurious and sometimes more expensive. In contrast, Velour is a denser plush woven or knitted fabric. The materials used are either cotton blends or stretch fabrics such as polyester. Velour will usually be more affordable than Velvet.

Here are some key differences between the two:

  • Velvet is thicker in density than Velour.
  • Velvet feels and looks more expensive than velour.
  • Velour has more stretchiness than velvet and less breathability, making it perfect for warmer seasons and acquiring a casual look.
  • They are both made from different fibers and have distinctive weaving piles.
  • Velour is a derivative of velvet.
  • Velvet feels softer and fuller in comparison to velour.

Examples With Sentences

To better comprehend the usage of these words from a grammar point of view, here is a list of examples with sentences you can use to describe these terms.

Sentences examples with the term “velvet.”

  1. She recently bought a velvet curtain that was exported from Asian countries.
  2. That product claims to leave a velvet finish when applied to the skin, making it super soft.
  3. He bought a blue velvet dress for his girlfriend as a birthday present, and she loved it once she unpacked it from the gift bag.
  4. Nina is obsessed with velvet pieces of furniture; she has the whole house covered in this fabric.
  5. The term “velvet” may often be linked to the aristocracy and luxury due to its incredible softness and high-quality fabric.
  6. Velvet has been a stable fabric in the fashion industry, especially for the making of clothing and home decor.
  7. They all wore a velvet skirt with a fluffy jacket on top for the school’s party.
  8. He was excited when he opened the package he recently ordered from Amazon. He felt pleased when he felt the velvet pillow he bought and thought it was a great purchase.
  9. Mom usually carries a small velvet clutch bag to every dinner party she has ever been invited to. It was a gift from my grandma.
  10. Velvet two-piece outfits are becoming more popular on Instagram because they are comfortable to wear and luxurious.
  11. Back in time, velvet took a lot of time to manufacture because it was costly, making it a lavish luxury in the past and still recognized for the same reason.
  12. Only the aristocracy used to buy velvet fabric since they were the only ones that could obtain it due to its high cost.

Now, some sentence examples with the word “Velour.”

  1. He recently bought a velour couch for his Santa Clara Beach condo.
  2. I own so many wool velour coats that are amazing for autumn and winter because it is warming.
  3. The house comes with all the velour furniture and soft upholstery.
  4. I bought for Christmas an incredible festive velour tracksuit for my family and me.
  5. For her art project, she made a velour purse for her mom as a birthday gift.
  6. Winter pajamas made of velour are incredibly soft and comfortable to wear.
  7. Velour is a fantastic imitation and affordable alternative to velvet that will last and give a luxury sheen look.
  8. In towel manufacturing, cotton velour is considered a popular fabric.
  9. She bought a big velour hat on her trip to Paris last year, and it has become her staple piece.
  10. The company started producing velour sweatpants, and everybody is buying them.
  11. Velour was recognized as the generation’s fabric around the 1960s and 70s since it was a form of rebellion against fashion.
  12. It has been speculated that velour originated somewhere in the East and was exported along with silk to Europe.

Other Word Usage Posts

Origin of the term

Velvet etymology 

The term “velvet” as a noun comes from the early fourteenth century, most likely from Middle English and Old French word “veloute,” from medieval Latin “villutus” which refers to “velvet” as in “shaggy cloth, soft, velvety” and variants of “vellus” meaning “wool or fleece.”

lucious gray velour background

Velour etymology 

The word “velour” originated around the 1700s from the French term “velours” from velvet and Old French “velor” as an alteration of “velos.” It also comes from Latin “villosus,” which means shaggy hair or tuft of hair.

Conclusion

In summary, we can conclude that velour is a woven fabric usually made of silk or cotton and has short thick piles, making it an incredibly soft, luxurious, and shiny material. In contrast, velour is a more affordable imitation of velvet. Regardless of them being similar in texture, there are some critical differences between the two. Velour is a plush textile made of synthetics like polyester and is typically used for home furniture and winter clothing. This is how you can quickly tell them apart. However, if you have to pick one out and choose the best, it will be velvet. It has a smoother surface and looks more expensive than velour, which is a cheaper option.