Velvet, Velour, and Velveteen: How to Tell the Difference

Velvet, velour, and velveteen are related fabrics that all have a similar plush, textured surface. However, each has its different and distinctive feel and appearance. Understanding the differences can help you choose the right fabric for your next project, which is especially useful if you are purchasing fabric online.

Velvet is generally considered the most elegant and luxurious of the three types. It has a distinct shine and somewhat flowy drape. On the other hand, velour and velveteen might look similar to velvet, but they’re known for their practicality and versatility. Velour is a knitted fabric, offering a stretch that velvet doesn’t possess. Meanwhile, velveteen is a sturdy cotton fabric that mimics velvet’s feel but is more durable for everyday use. 

Learn more about how to sew with velvet and similar materials

	Velvet	Velour	Velveteen
Woven or knit?	Woven	Knit	Woven
Stiff or flowy drape?	Flowy	Mostly flowy	Stiff
Weight?	Mostly medium	medium	Mostly heavy
Pile height?	High pile	Medium pile	Short pile
Fiber content?	Silk, rayon, synthetic	Mostly synthetic	Mostly cotton
Shiny?	Shiny	Some luster	Mostly matte
Uses of the material?	Evening gowns, luxury home decor	Loungewear, performance dancewear, costumes, some dresses	Upholstery and home decor, pants, coats

Velvet vs. Velour

Velvet and velour are both plush, soft fabrics, but they have some distinct differences. Velvet is a woven fabric known for its luxurious feel and sheen, traditionally made from silk but can also be made from rayon, or synthetic fibers. It has a dense pile of evenly cut fibers that give it a distinctive smooth feel.

On the other hand, velour is a knit fabric, which gives it a naturally stretchy quality. It’s made by looping the yarns and then cutting them to create a pile, resulting in a fabric that is plush and dense but typically less expensive than velvet. Velour is often used in clothing because its stretch makes it more comfortable to wear, and it’s also known for its affordability compared to the more expensive velvet.

1. Type of fabric (knit vs. woven)

The most notable difference between velvet and velour is that velvet is a woven fabric while velour is knit. This means velour has a natural stretchy quality to it, making it more useful for comfort clothes and activewear.

Stretch velvet does exist, but the stretch comes from the inclusion of spandex fibers (also called elastane), not the construction of the material. The spandex fibers are highly elastic, so adding even a small percentage will create a stretch version of velvet material. However, without the knit construction, it’s still a distinctly different material from velour fabric.

2. Pile height

Another, less noticeable difference between velvet and velour is the pile height, which is the length of the fibers that stand up from the backing. This can really affect how the fabric feels and looks. 

Velvet typically has a higher pile height than velour fabric. It’s noticeable when you rub your fingers along the plush fibers. You can distinctly tell when the velvet fibers move and change direction because of how long they are. 

3. Drape of fabric

Velvet gives off a signature flow that seems both regal and indulgent. It has a beautiful drape to it that’s not quite airy, but is still a great look for evening gowns.

Velour, on the other hand, has a much heavier drape due to its knit nature. It’s not a stiff fabric, but you can feel the weight of the fabric in the way that it drapes. It also tends to give off a gentle, soft silhouette, rather than a body-hugging fit, making it perfect for casual, comfortable clothing.

4. Uses of the fabric

Velvet is most known for its use in fancy evening wear (mostly women’s clothing, but it can be used for men’s suits too) because it has such an elegant look to it. Velvet is also frequently used in home decor where you want to add a luxury texture to the room.

While velour can be used for dresses and gowns too, it’s more often used for comfortable loungewear or athleisure. Velour is common in tracksuits and hoodies, as well as performance dancewear. Since it’s cheaper than velvet, velour is also frequently used in the costuming world, especially for cosplay.

5. Fiber the fabric is made from

Historically, velvet was made only from silk, making it a high-end luxury fabric. Today, you’ll find velvet made from other fibers too, including rayon and polyester blends that try to mimic the silk look and feel. 

Velour does not have the same history so the fibers used aren’t really trying to mimic silk. It’s almost always made from polyester or a synthetic blend that is made to enhance the comfort and elasticity of the fabric. 

Velvet vs. velveteen

Velvet and velveteen are both plush fabrics with a soft feel, yet they differ significantly. Velvet is a woven fabric that can be made from silk, rayon, or synthetic fibers and is characterized by its luxurious sheen, smooth pile, and elegant drape. 

Velveteen, by contrast, is typically a cotton or cotton-blend fabric with a shorter pile, resulting in a fabric that is less shiny and not as soft as velvet, but is heavier, more durable, and often used in upholstery. 

1. Pile height

Velvet boasts a higher pile height. The longer piles create a distinctive drape and a shimmering surface that changes with the light. It’s this pile length that helps make that distinctive velvet texture. On the other hand, velveteen has a much shorter pile height. It’s a little more like a small layer of fuzz over the surface, and does not feel nearly as plush as velvet fabric.

2. Drape of fabric

Velvet is known for its ability to fall in soft, smooth folds. This quality makes it excellent for creating elegant, flowing garments like gowns and skirts.

Velveteen might trick you at first glance with its resemblance to velvet. However, its drape is significantly stiffer. In clothing, it’s much more suitable for bottomweight, structured garments, like coats and pants, rather than gorgeous, draped dresses.

3. Uses of the fabric

Velvet is your choice when you’re aiming for elegance and luxury, while velveteen keeps things practical. 

Velvet is most often used in high-end fashion garments. You’ll see it crafted into elegant dresses, suits, and gowns. Velvet is also used in home decor, but even here it’s generally used to add a touch of luxury, not because it’s a durable material.

Velveteen is most often used in upholstery because it is quite durable, while also giving an interesting texture. However, it can also be used for structured garments, such as pants and coats.

4. Fiber the fabric is made from

Velvet is typically made using silk, rayon, polyester, or a blend of these fibers. The fibers are all meant to have a silk-like appearance, giving the fabric a shine over the surface.

Velveteen is almost always made using cotton or a cotton blend (usually blended with polyester). Because cotton is not a particularly shiny fiber, most velveteen is quite matte in appearance.