When going shopping for new clothes, many people are very interested in buying items in a fabric or material that will bring them comfort and style. While many people know what denim, silk or wool is, a lot of guys have questions about the differences between velvet, velour and velveteen. The reason behind this is simple: the three fabrics are visually similar and sound similarly, which could imply that there are some similarities and differences between the three.

In fact, these three materials are quite different and knowing the differences is very important and relevant when it comes to clothes and accessories.

 

 

Velvet

Velvet is a woven, cut and crushed material. It can be made from linen, mohair, and wool. In its original form, velvet was made from silk. Sometimes it is made from cotton. Velvet can be recognized by its softness and glossy aspect. Because it is a natural fabric that is soft and deep, velvet is luxurious and rich.

We always recommend going for the best materials, which are usually the natural ones. The downside to velvet is that it can be hard to clean and that it goes bad in the rain or snow, which is why one needs to be extremely careful as to where they wear it.

 

 

Velour

Velour is a knit fabric, made from cotton, but sometimes also from synthetics. It drapes similar to velvet, but it is less shiny and thinner than velvet. Because it is a knitted fabric, velour is stretchier than velvet. Being a velvet imitation, velour is usually more affordable in terms of price. While the quality is lower, it can be made to look quite good too.

 

 

Velveteen

Velveteen is a woven fabric made from cotton or from a combination of cotton and silk. It has a lot less sheen than velvet and drapes less than velvet too. Because it is a stiffer material, velveteen is often used for accessories such as bracelets.

 

Velvet, velour and velveteen are similar fabrics in terms of look and feel, but they are quite different when it comes down to the details. They can serve different purposes, but our recommendation is to always go for velvet, as natural fabrics are usually the best option in most cases.

Understanding the differences between different fabrics will help you make wiser decisions (for example, velvet will adapt to your body according to different weather conditions, while synthetic velveteen won’t) and will help you be more comfortable and stylish.

 

The materials you wear are one of the most important things when it comes to your fashion experience and knowing more about the fabric will help you have a better style experience.

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

Further reading:

How to care for velvet shoes. A guide

Style tips: How to mix clothes of different fabrics for great effects!

A guide to socks and fabrics: From cotton to vicuña wool

Add a pop of color to your shirts: Accent fabrics

P.S. Do you like wearing velvet, velour and velveteen? Which is your favorite? Why? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!