Brocatel vs. Brocade — What's the Difference?

Heavy, plain or twill weave fabric.

Often used in the creation of apparel and accessories.

Associated with practical and functional applications.

Characterized by the use of metallic threads.

A durable, decorative textile.

Requires a jacquard loom for its intricate designs.

Often monochromatic and used in interiors.

A rich, decorative fabric woven with a raised pattern.

A type of coarse fabric used for wall hangings and upholstery.

Favored for its aesthetic appeal in fashion.

A kind of coarse brocade, or figured fabric, used chiefly for tapestry, linings for carriages, etc.

Brocade is a class of richly decorative shuttle-woven fabrics, often made in colored silks and sometimes with gold and silver threads. The name, related to the same root as the word "broccoli", comes from Italian broccato meaning "embossed cloth", originally past participle of the verb broccare "to stud, set with nails", from brocco, "small nail", from Latin broccus, "projecting, pointed".Brocade is typically woven on a draw loom.

A kind of marble, clouded and veined with white, grey, red, and especially yellow; Siena marble.

A heavy fabric interwoven with a rich, raised design.

A kind of coarse brocade, or figured fabric, used chiefly for tapestry, linings for carriages, etc.

A thick heavy fabric into which raised patterns have been woven, originally in gold and silver; more recently any cloth incorporating raised, woven patterns.

A marble, clouded and veined with white, gray, yellow, and red, in which the yellow usually prevails. It is also called Siena marble, from its locality.

An item decorated with brocade.

Any of several species of noctuid moths such as some species in the genera Calophasia and Hadena

(metaphoric) A decorative pattern.

To decorate fabric with raised woven patterns.

Silk stuff, woven with gold and silver threads, or ornamented with raised flowers, foliage, etc.; - also applied to other stuffs thus wrought and enriched.

Thick heavy expensive material with a raised pattern

Weave a design into (textiles)

While possible, brocatel is generally too coarse and heavy for comfortable clothing.

Its heavy and durable weave makes it ideal for furniture that requires robust fabric.

Brocade is generally reserved for more formal or decorative garments due to its elaborate and often delicate nature.

Brocade needs careful handling, typically dry cleaning, due to its delicate threads and patterns.

Brocatel is often found in more subdued, often solid colors, whereas brocade features a variety of colors, often enriched with metallic threads.

Brocade tends to be more expensive due to its intricate designs and the materials used.

Brocatel is primarily used for upholstery and heavy draperies.

Brocade is woven using a jacquard loom, which allows for intricate, multi-layered patterns.

The production of brocade can be resource-intensive, especially when metallic threads are involved, which can impact its environmental footprint.

Yes, brocatel can be effectively incorporated into modern designs, especially for a minimalist or rustic aesthetic.

Brocade was particularly popular during the Renaissance and continues to be associated with luxury and opulence.

Like any fabric, brocatel can fade depending on the quality of the dye and exposure to sunlight.

Brocatel is generally heavier and stiffer, making it less suitable for applications requiring drape.

While not as common as in clothing, brocade can be used in home decor for accent pieces like cushions or small upholstery projects.

Brocatel is often used for its texture and durability in wall coverings and heavy drapery, enhancing the acoustic and aesthetic properties of interior spaces.