Velvet vs Velour: Key Differences for Clothes, Upholstery & More
Wondering whether to choose velvet or velour? Get the facts on how each looks, feels, lasts and washes—plus, see which is better for your project.
In this guide
Velvet and velour may look similar, but they’re quite different fabrics best suited to different uses. Velvet is denser, smoother, and more lustrous—ideal for formalwear and upmarket upholstery. Velour is stretchier and softer, making it better for comfortable clothing and casual settings. Their care, durability, and feel are not the same.
Here’s how velvet compares to velour, and which you should choose for clothes, furniture, or other uses.
Key takeaways
- Velvet is smoother, denser, and shinier; velour is stretchier and plusher.
- Velvet suits luxury garments and upholstery; velour excels in comfort and stretch.
- Velour is generally easier to wash at home; velvet often needs more cautious care.
- Choose velvet for elegance, velour for flexibility and softness.
- Neither is better for everything—match the fabric to the use.
What is the difference between velvet and velour?
Velvet and velour are both pile fabrics, which means they have a soft, raised surface of cut fibers (“pile”). The main difference is in their construction and end uses:
- Velvet: Traditionally woven, historically from silk but now also cotton, polyester, or blends. The pile is short, dense, and laid out evenly—producing a flat, smooth, and highly lustrous surface.
- Velour: Almost always knitted, usually from cotton or polyester blends. This knit structure and a deeper, looser pile make it stretchier and softer, but it is less shiny and less crisp than velvet.
Because of these differences, velvet is often chosen for formal garments and luxury upholstery, while velour is common in casualwear, loungewear, comfortable upholstery, and costumes.
| Attribute | Velvet | Velour |
|---|---|---|
| Surface feel | Smooth, dense, cool touch | Soft, plush, springy |
| Appearance | High sheen, elegant drape | Low to moderate luster, casual look |
| Stretch | Little to none (unless woven with stretch) | Natural stretch (from knit structure) |
| Warmth | Moderate to high | Moderate |
| Durability | Strong, dense pile resists flattening | Less durable; pile crushes and pills over time |
| Care | Often dry clean only; water may mark pile | Usually machine washable (check label) |
| Best for | Formalwear, luxury upholstery, drapes | Loungewear, tracksuits, costumes, casual upholstery |
| Typical fiber | Silk, cotton, polyester | Cotton, polyester |
| Price range | Higher | Lower |
Velvet vs velour at a glance
Our rating, 1–5, higher is betterHow does velvet feel compared to velour?
Velvet feels cool, smooth, and dense—its pile is short, firm, and responds to brush direction (“shading”). The fabric has a slightly cold touch and changes appearance as you move your hand across it, because the aligned pile catches the light differently. Many describe velvet as almost glassy or sleek.
Velour is plush, springy, and very soft—more “cuddly” than velvet. Its higher, looser pile and knit structure mean it feels thicker and squishier under your fingers. Velour also has noticeable stretch, adding to its comfort in garments. It doesn’t have the same shifting visual (“nap”) as velvet, but it feels welcoming and warm on the skin.
Identifying velvet vs velour by touch
- Brush your hand across the fabric – velvet changes color directionally, velour less so.
- Gently pinch and stretch – velour will show more give and bounce back.
- Press with a fingertip – velour feels cushioned and plush; velvet is firmer.
- Look for sheen under light – velvet shines more, velour is more matte.
How are velvet and velour made?
Velvet is woven using a special process where two cloths are woven face to face, connected by warp or weft threads. The pile (short upright fibers) forms when these connecting threads are cut, then the two cloths separate. This gives velvet its characteristic dense, even surface, but makes it more expensive and less stretchy.
Velour is knitted, not woven, and uses cut loops to create pile. This makes construction faster and cheaper. The knit base means velour fabrics can stretch naturally without adding spandex or other elastic fibers. Velour’s texture is more relaxed and forgiving, but the pile is less locked in, so it can pill or crush more over time.
Why velvet costs more than velour
Problem
Velvet is more expensive in stores
Why it happens
- Woven construction is slower
- Finer fibers (silk, mercerized cotton) cost more
- Smaller production volumes
What fixes it
- Choose velour for large or everyday projects
- Consider polyester velvet for savings
- Reserve velvet for special uses
Pros and cons of velvet
Pros
- Very elegant, luxurious look and drape
- Dense, strong pile resists flattening
- Excellent for formalwear and luxury interiors
- Usually more resistant to snagging or pilling than velour
- Responds beautifully to dye for deep, rich colors
Cons
- Usually has little to no stretch (except stretch velvets)
- Prone to water stains and pressure marks
- Often requires dry cleaning or gentle spot cleaning
- Generally more expensive due to complex weaving
- Can be stiffer or heavier, limiting breathability
Pros and cons of velour
Pros
- Extremely soft and stretchy—comfortable for clothing
- Often more affordable
- Machine washable in most cases
- Safe and gentle for children’s garments and costumes
- Lightweight knit construction makes for cozy warmth without heaviness
Cons
- Less crisp look, lacking velvet’s high-end sheen
- More prone to pilling and visible “crushed” spots over time
- Less durable for heavily-used upholstery
- Pile flattens faster with frequent wear
- Lower “recovery” after being creased or stretched
Which is softer: velvet or velour?
Velour is generally plusher and feels softer and springier than most velvet. Velour’s knit construction encourages a deeper, more flexible pile—hence its use in tracksuits, pajamas, and baby clothes. Velvet feels smoother and more refined, but not as squishy or forgiving. However, some luxury silk velvets rival velour in softness, though they lack the same bounce and stretch.
[h3]When is plushness a disadvantage?[/h3]
Plushness can mean more snagging, trapping of lint, or faster pile flattening, especially on high-use items. For garments meant to look crisp, velvet holds its “fresh” look longer.
Which is more durable: velvet or velour?
Velvet typically lasts longer, resisting abrasion and pile flattening better than velour. Woven construction locks pile fibers in place and protects against wear in upholstery or formal garments. Velour—being a knit—can pill or flatten in high-use areas, especially on clothes or couch cushions.
Both fabrics can show marks: velvet from crushing or water, velour from pile flattening and pilling. However, high-quality polyester velours are more durable than older cotton velours, and some modern production velvet includes stretch fibers for clothing. For in-depth comparisons on common fabric types, see our full fabric guide.
| Use or Project | Recommended fabric | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Formal dress or blazer | Velvet | Drape, shine, shape retention |
| Tracksuit / loungewear | Velour | Softer, stretchier, washable |
| High-use sofa | Velvet | Wear resistance, clean look |
| Casual chair/kids’ furniture | Velour | Gentler and more affordable |
| Dancewear or costumes | Velour | Easy movement, comfort, lower cost |
How do you wash and care for velvet vs velour?
Velour is usually more forgiving in the wash than velvet. Most velour made from polyester or cotton blends can be washed gently (inside out, cold, on “delicate”). Tumble dry low is sometimes safe, but line drying preserves the pile best.
Velvet (especially silk or rayon) is best dry cleaned or very gently hand washed, if the label permits. Water can crush pile or leave marks. Cotton or polyester velvet is more robust, but care is still needed: wash cold, don’t wring, and always line dry or lay flat. Avoid high heat and pressing, which will crush the pile. If you must remove wrinkles, use a steamer from a distance or hang in a steamy bathroom.
How to care for velvet and velour
Why velvet needs gentler washing than velour
Problem
Crushed or marked fabric after washing
Why it happens
- Denser pile is easily flattened by agitation
- Water marks may appear on pile
- Not all velvet is colorfast to washing
What fixes it
- Spot clean or dry clean velvet when possible
- Use cool water and minimal agitation
- Lay flat or hang to dry, never wring or tumble dry high
Washing velour garments safely
- Turn garment inside out.
- Use a gentle or cold cycle (86°F / 30°C).
- Wash with similar colors.
- Line dry or tumble dry low.
- Brush pile gently after dry if needed.
Is velvet or velour better for clothing?
Velour is the favorite for comfortable, stretchy, and easy-care casual clothes. Tracksuits, hoodies, dancewear, and children’s pajamas frequently use velour due to its plush hand and flexibility. Velvet’s crisp drape and shine make it ideal for formal dresses, evening wear, and statement jackets—not everyday garments.
Some stretch velvets, made by blending polyester or nylon velvet with spandex, offer a compromise: more sheen and drape than velour, with some movement and improved comfort. But classic loungewear remains velour’s territory, especially for clothing you want to machine wash at home.
Which fabric should you choose: velvet or velour?
If you want:
- Maximal elegance, shine, and formality—choose velvet.
- Comfort, stretch, and washability—choose velour.
Velvet is best for luxury or statement pieces—formalwear, curtains, or high-end upholstery. Velour fits lounge, athletic, and easy-care needs, plus costume and kids’ wear. For most everyday clothing and comfort-focused items, velour is the practical pick.
For upholstery, consider use: a high-traffic sofa justifies the greater expense and durability of velvet, while velour is perfect for accent chairs, bedroom benches, or playroom pieces.
To compare other plush options—like fleece, chenille, or microfiber—check out our sofa fabric guide and polyester vs. natural fibers to see which suits your project best.
Velvet vs velour: quick answers
Which is warmer, velvet or velour?
Both are warm thanks to their pile, but velvet’s denser weave usually means slightly more insulation. Velour, being knit, is more breathable and stretchy.
Does velour always stretch?
Almost all velour used for clothing is knit and stretches naturally. Velvet is usually woven and does not stretch unless blended with elastic fibers.
Can you tell velvet from velour by touch?
Yes—velvet is cooler, smoother, and denser, while velour is softer, plushier, and springier, with noticeable stretch.
Which fades or pills more easily: velvet or velour?
Velour, especially in everyday clothing, is more prone to pilling and color fading with frequent washing. Velvet is less likely to pill, but some types can show pressure marks.
Is velour just cheap velvet?
Not exactly. Velour is usually cheaper, but it offers its own advantages—mainly stretch and softness. Velvet’s construction makes it harder to produce and gives a more formal look.
Are all velvets and velours made from polyester?
No. Both can be made from cotton, polyester, or blends; velvet is also made from silk for luxury versions. Fiber content varies.
Are both fabrics suitable for upholstery?
Both are used in upholstery, but velvet is preferred for durability and a luxe look, while velour is best for lower-traffic or casual furniture.
How this guide was researched
This guide is based on general textile science and industry knowledge. No specific data from our FACTS sheet covers velvet or velour fabrics, so fabric performance and care comparisons come from my experience in fabric development and testing. See how we test for more on our sourcing and methods.
Kamrul Islam
Kamrul Islam is a textile engineer who has worked in industrial fabric dyeing and development since 2012. He studied wet processing (dyeing) at the University of Chittagong, ran dyeing production, and has headed dyeing and fabric development since 2017 — recipes, shade approval and functional finishes. He writes here so shoppers can understand fabrics the way the people who make…