Velvet vs. Chenille — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on May 2, 2024
Velvet is a luxurious fabric known for its softness and smooth texture, while chenille is also soft but has a tufted, caterpillar-like texture and is more durable.
Difference Between Velvet and Chenille
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Velvet is characterized by its dense, soft pile made traditionally from silk, giving it a distinctive smooth feel. On the other hand, chenille features a pile that resembles a caterpillar, made from cotton, rayon, or olefin, giving it a plush texture.
Velvet has been associated with nobility and luxury due to its intricate manufacturing process and the high cost of silk. Whereas chenille, developed in the 18th century, became popular for its durability and lower cost, making it a common choice for more utilitarian uses.
In terms of appearance, velvet has a uniform, shiny surface that reflects light, enhancing its rich color and texture. Chenille, however, typically has a more matte finish and a less uniform texture due to the irregularity of its tufts.
When it comes to care and maintenance, velvet can be more challenging to maintain; it often requires professional cleaning to avoid damaging its delicate fibers. Chenille is generally more durable and easier to care for, making it suitable for everyday items like upholstery and bedding.
Velvet is primarily used in formal wear, luxurious upholstery, and curtains, emphasizing its elegant appearance. Chenille finds extensive use in casual clothing, home textiles, and heavier upholstery, favored for its softness and robustness.
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Comparison Chart
Material Origin
Traditionally silk, now also synthetics
Mainly cotton, rayon, and olefin
Texture
Smooth, soft pile
Tufted, caterpillar-like pile
Light Reflection
Shiny, reflects light well
Matte, absorbs light
Durability
Less durable, delicate
More durable, suitable for heavy use
Typical Use
Luxury clothing, upholstery, curtains
Casual wear, everyday upholstery, bedding
Compare with Definitions
Velvet
A type of fabric traditionally made from silk, now also available in synthetic forms.
The designer prefers silk velvet for its natural sheen and texture.
Chenille
A versatile textile made from cotton or synthetic fibers, used in various home décor items.
They chose chenille upholstery for the family room furniture because it was both stylish and durable.
Velvet
A soft fabric used predominantly in high-end fashion and decor.
The new line of velvet sofas at the store was stunningly beautiful.
Chenille
A fabric known for its soft, tufted texture that is durable and cozy.
The chenille throw blanket was perfect for cold winter nights.
Velvet
A material that requires careful maintenance to retain its appearance.
She took her velvet jacket to the dry cleaners to preserve its lush texture.
Chenille
A fabric that offers ease of care, often used in everyday products.
The chenille bedspread was easy to wash and maintained its soft feel.
Velvet
A luxurious woven fabric distinguished by its dense pile and smooth surface.
The velvet gown she wore to the gala shimmered under the lights.
Chenille
A textile suited for both clothing and upholstery, popular for its robustness.
Her new chenille jacket was both comfortable and fashionable.
Velvet
A fabric used for its elegant and opulent qualities.
The velvet curtains added a touch of luxury to the room.
Chenille
A caterpillar-like pile that provides unique softness and warmth.
The chenille carpet in the nursery was soft enough for the baby to crawl on.
Velvet
Velvet is a type of woven tufted fabric in which the cut threads are evenly distributed, with a short dense pile, giving it a distinctive soft feel. By extension, the word velvety means "smooth like velvet".
Chenille
A soft tufted cord traditionally of silk, cotton, or worsted used in embroidery or for fringing.
Velvet
A closely woven fabric of silk, cotton, or nylon, that has a thick short pile on one side
An armchair covered in velvet
Red velvet curtains
Chenille
Fabric made of or resembling this cord, commonly used for bedspreads or rugs.
Velvet
A soft fabric having a smooth, dense pile and a plain underside.
Chenille
An extremely soft and bunchy fabric often used to make sweaters.
Velvet
Something suggesting the smooth surface of velvet.
Chenille
Tufted cord, of silk or worsted, for the trimming of ladies' dresses, for embroidery and fringes, and for the weft of Chenille rugs.
Velvet
Smoothness; softness.
Chenille
A soft tufted cord used in embroidery
Velvet
The soft, furry covering on the developing antlers of deer.
Chenille
A heavy fabric woven with chenille cord; used in rugs and bedspreads
Velvet
The winnings of a gambler.
Velvet
A profit or gain beyond what is expected or due.
Velvet
New England See milkshake.
Velvet
A closely woven fabric (originally of silk, now also of cotton or man-made fibres) with a thick short pile on one side.
Velvet
Very fine fur, including the skin and fur on a deer's antlers.
Velvet
A female chinchilla; a sow.
Velvet
The drug dextromethorphan.
Velvet
Money acquired by gambling.
Velvet
To cover with velvet or with a covering of a similar texture.
Velvet
(cooking) To coat raw meat in starch, then in oil, preparatory to frying.
Velvet
To remove the velvet from a deer's antlers.
Velvet
To soften; to mitigate.
Velvet
(of a cat's claws) to retract.
Velvet
Made of velvet.
Velvet
Soft and delicate, like velvet; velvety.
Velvet
(politics) peaceful, carried out without violence; especially as pertaining to the peaceful breakup of Czechoslovakia.
Velvet
A silk fabric, having a short, close nap of erect threads. Inferior qualities are made with a silk pile on a cotton or linen back, or with other soft fibers such as nylon, acetate, or rayon.
Velvet
The soft and highly vascular deciduous skin which envelops and nourishes the antlers of deer during their rapid growth.
Velvet
Something likened to velvet{1} in being soft or luxurious; as, a lawn of velvet.
Velvet
Made of velvet; soft and delicate, like velvet; velvety.
Velvet
To pain velvet.
Velvet
To make like, or cover with, velvet.
Velvet
A silky densely piled fabric with a plain back
Velvet
Smooth and soft to sight or hearing or touch or taste
Velvet
Resembling velvet in having a smooth soft surface
Common Curiosities
What are the typical uses of chenille fabric?
Chenille is commonly used for casual clothing, upholstery, and bedding due to its durability and softness.
How should velvet be cared for?
Velvet should be carefully maintained, usually requiring professional cleaning to avoid damage.
Is velvet considered a luxury material?
Yes, velvet is often considered a luxury material due to its elegant look and the historical cost of silk production.
What is velvet traditionally made from?
Velvet is traditionally made from silk, contributing to its luxurious texture and appearance.
Is chenille suitable for heavy-use items?
Yes, due to its durability and ease of care, chenille is an excellent choice for heavy-use items like couches and carpets.
Can velvet be made from synthetic materials?
Yes, besides silk, velvet is also made from various synthetic materials like polyester, which are more affordable and easier to maintain.
What makes chenille distinct from other fabrics?
Chenille's distinctiveness lies in its tufted, caterpillar-like texture that is both visually appealing and pleasant to touch.
How does the appearance of velvet differ from chenille?
Velvet has a shiny, smooth appearance that reflects light, while chenille typically has a matte finish and a plush feel.
Can velvet be used for everyday items?
While velvet can be used for everyday items, its delicate nature makes it less common in high-traffic uses compared to chenille.
What are the environmental considerations of using synthetic velvet?
Synthetic velvets, while affordable, can have environmental impacts due to petroleum-based fibers and production processes.
How does the weight of chenille fabric compare to other textiles?
Chenille fabric is generally heavier and thicker, making it ideal for warm clothing and cozy home textiles.
What is the best method to clean chenille fabric?
Chenille can usually be cleaned at home, either by machine washing or using upholstery cleaner, depending on the care instructions.
What historical significance does velvet have?
Historically, velvet was associated with nobility and wealth, especially during the Renaissance in Europe, due to its luxurious feel and high production costs.
Are there any special considerations for storing velvet garments?
Velvet garments should be stored hanging or laid flat to avoid crushing the pile and ruining the texture.
Why might someone choose chenille over velvet for upholstery?
Someone might choose chenille over velvet for upholstery due to its greater durability and easier maintenance.
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Written by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
Co-written by
Maham Liaqat
