Velvet vs. Velveteen — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Maham Liaqat — Updated on March 26, 2024
Velvet is a luxurious fabric made from silk, while velveteen mimics velvet's texture but is made from cotton, making it less expensive and more durable.
Difference Between Velvet and Velveteen
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Key Differences
Velvet is traditionally made from silk, which gives it a distinctively soft and smooth texture that is highly valued in fashion and upholstery. Its sheen and depth of color come from the unique structure of the fabric, where the cut threads are evenly distributed for a uniform surface. On the other hand, velveteen is primarily made from cotton, which makes it a more affordable alternative to velvet. Though it attempts to replicate the feel and appearance of velvet, velveteen has a shorter pile and a slightly less luxurious sheen.
Due to its silk composition, velvet tends to have a more lustrous appearance and a softer feel, which is often associated with luxury and high-end products. Velvet is also more delicate and requires careful handling and cleaning. Whereas, velveteen, being cotton-based, is more durable and easier to care for, making it suitable for everyday use in clothing and home furnishings.
Velvet is preferred in formal wear and high-end home décor due to its rich texture and elegant appearance. Its depth and sheen vary with light, giving it a dynamic quality that is hard to replicate. Velveteen, while still offering a soft feel, lacks the same depth and luster, making it more common in casual wear and less formal applications.
The manufacturing process of velvet involves a more complex procedure of weaving two thicknesses of the material simultaneously and then cutting them apart, which adds to its cost. Velveteen, on the other hand, is produced by a simpler weaving process that does not involve double cloth production, contributing to its lower price point.
While velvet has historically been a symbol of nobility and affluence, velveteen offers a democratized version of this luxury, making the soft, plush texture accessible to a wider audience. Despite their differences, both fabrics have their unique appeal and uses, ranging from fashion to home décor.
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Comparison Chart
Material
Made from silk
Made from cotton
Texture
Soft and smooth with a high sheen
Less soft with a shorter pile and less sheen
Durability
Delicate, requires careful handling
More durable and easier to maintain
Usage
Preferred in formal wear and luxury home décor
Common in casual wear and everyday home furnishings
Price
More expensive due to complex manufacturing and silk content
Less expensive, more accessible due to simpler production and cotton content
Compare with Definitions
Velvet
A luxurious fabric with a soft, smooth surface.
The velvet gown shimmered under the ballroom lights.
Velveteen
A cotton fabric designed to mimic velvet.
The velveteen sofa was soft and durable for daily use.
Velvet
Used in high-end fashion and décor.
The designer used velvet for the luxury sofa collection.
Velveteen
Suitable for everyday clothing and furnishings.
The children's holiday outfits were made of colorful velveteen.
Velvet
Traditionally made from silk for a rich texture.
The royal curtains were made of the finest silk velvet.
Velveteen
Easier to care for, often machine washable.
The great thing about her velveteen jacket was that it was machine washable.
Velvet
Known for its depth of color and sheen.
The velvet blazer had a deep, rich blue that stood out.
Velveteen
Less expensive and more durable than velvet.
She chose velveteen curtains for a practical yet stylish look.
Velvet
Requires special care in cleaning and maintenance.
The velvet dress must be dry cleaned to maintain its texture.
Velveteen
Features a shorter pile and less luster than velvet.
The velveteen pillow had a subtle sheen that was cozy and inviting.
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".
Velveteen
Velveteen (or velveret) is a type of cloth made to imitate velvet. Normally cotton, the term is sometimes applied to a mixture of silk and cotton.
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
Velveteen
A cotton pile fabric resembling velvet.
Velvet
A soft fabric having a smooth, dense pile and a plain underside.
Velveteen
A cotton fabric with a short pile, resembling velvet.
Velvet
Something suggesting the smooth surface of velvet.
Velveteen
A kind of cloth, usually cotton, made in imitation of velvet; cotton velvet.
Velvet
Smoothness; softness.
Velveteen
A usually cotton fabric with a short pile imitating velvet
Velvet
The soft, furry covering on the developing antlers of deer.
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 is the main difference between velvet and velveteen?
Velvet is made from silk, offering a luxurious texture, while velveteen is made from cotton, making it more durable and affordable.
Can velveteen be used as a substitute for velvet?
Yes, velveteen can be used as a less expensive and more durable substitute for velvet, though it lacks the same sheen and depth of texture.
How should velvet be cleaned?
Velvet should be carefully dry cleaned to preserve its texture and color, avoiding water and direct heat.
Are there synthetic versions of velvet?
Yes, synthetic velvets made from materials like polyester exist, offering the velvet look at a more affordable price and with greater durability.
Why is velvet considered luxurious?
Velvet's association with luxury comes from its rich texture, sheen, and historical use in nobility's garments and furnishings.
Can velveteen be machine washed?
Yes, being cotton-based, velveteen is often more durable and can usually be machine washed according to the fabric care instructions.
Why is velvet associated with nobility?
Historically, velvet was expensive to produce and often made with silk, making it exclusive to the wealthy and noble classes.
Is velvet suitable for everyday wear?
Due to its delicate nature and care requirements, velvet is typically reserved for special occasions rather than everyday wear.
Is velvet more expensive than velveteen?
Yes, velvet is typically more expensive due to its silk content and the complexity of its manufacturing process.
Can velvet and velveteen be printed on?
Yes, both fabrics can be printed on, though the printing process and results may vary due to their different textures and pile heights.
What makes velveteen more suitable for everyday use?
Its cotton base makes velveteen more durable, easier to care for, and less expensive, making it a practical choice for daily wear and use.
What are common uses for velveteen?
Velveteen is commonly used in casual wear, children’s clothing, and everyday home furnishings due to its durability and affordability.
How does the pile affect the fabric's appearance?
The height and density of the pile affect the fabric’s softness, sheen, and overall appearance, with velvet having a longer, denser pile than velveteen.
Is velveteen appropriate for formal attire?
While velveteen can be used in formal attire, its less lustrous appearance makes it more common in casual and everyday pieces.
Does velvet come in different weights?
Yes, velvet can vary in weight, with heavier velvets used for upholstery and lighter weights for clothing.
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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
