Velvet fabrics, including its variations of velour and velveteen, are plush and luxurious nap pile materials used to make elegant clothing, fashion accessories, upholstery covering, wall covering, and other textile-based home furnishings. 

In its pure form, velvet is constructed with mohair or silk. Its pile effect is achieved by looping warp threads over a sharp razor wire that cuts the looped fibres, leaving the surface lush and soft. Velvet comes in crushed, patterned, plain, embossed, and stripped types.

Variations of Velvet Fabrics

There are two variations of velvet. Velour and velveteen. Although they look nice, they are not as lustrous, expensive, or plush as pure silk velvet. 

Velour

Velour is a general term used for some fabrics that resemble velvet. It is a semi-plush knitted fabric and is usually made from cotton. Velours are also made from synthetic fibres like polyester. It is thinner and less shiny than velvet, and because it is a knitted weave fabric, it has stretching qualities. 

Velour is more affordable than velvet, but while it is of a lower quality, its affordability makes it a popular consumer fabric. It is used in various applications, including for clothing and interior decor.

Velveteen

Velveteen is also known as cotton velvet. It is woven without a pile, unlike the fabric construction of pure velvet. This is what accounts for its lush pile. It has a short, dense pile surface and a smooth back. It also has more body than velvet, making it less easy to drape. Velveteen is popularly used for children’s clothing, draperies, and bedcovers.  

Other Popular and High-Quality Velvets

The other types of velvet weaving blended with synthetic fibres are: 

Panné – A type of crushed velvet fabric with a changeable, shimmery effect.

Embossed – One of the most beautiful and pricier velvet fabrics.

Façonné – A cut velvet made by the burnout printing method.

Moquette – A durable and velvety fabric (carpet-like), mainly used for commercial purposes.