When out for dinner with my lovely friend the other evening, we got to talking about luxury items and the materials associated with it. So it doesn't sound like the most exciting dinner conversation for most, but when you combine a fashion buyer and an interiors connoisseur, we were in our element! Although we align on pretty much every preference in life, we came to heads when talking about Velvet and Velour. I rolled my eyes at velour, and she held back some serious words about velvet. But then we realised that neither of us were actually sure what the differences were, and which one was the more luxurious of the two. I knew I would go home to do a little research and learn a little history (as always) about the two. I also found the opportunity to ask one of the fabric specialists at Swoon about the differences in the velvet they offered, and got some serious insight into the pros and cons of each, and why it is so important to take it into consideration when furnishing the home and ensuring the product is fit for purpose. In my eyes, if you're going to go velvet, you go velvet. But, if my velvet is going to be used on the regular and perhaps not as valued by others as it is by me, then I may reserve my velvet for my space, and invest in a Poly version instead. All will be revealed, but I'll tackle the Velvet vs. Velour debate first.
In the beginning:
Traces of the Velvet have been found in Cairo dating from 2000BC but I won't bore you by starting that long ago. For those closer to home, Velvet hit its high time in the Renaissance period and was instantly popularised amongst the rich and noble for its luxurious texture and the vibrant colours it could hold. Although it can be made from many different materials, the luxury price tag comes with the way the fabric is woven (woven being the key point), as the work necessary is a long and complicated process. This was before the machines and speedy production made it more accessible but nevertheless, the fabric has held its prestigious label. Renaissance velvets were particularly luxurious as the fabrics were often woven with silk and threads of silver and gold - I'll take two!
Velour:
The name "velour" comes from the French word for velvet, meaning plush and dense. The difference between velvet and velour is in the weave - Velour is knitted rather than woven, making it stretchier and less shiny than its counterpart. Although existing as an imitation to velvet, Velour is a fabric that should be valued as worthy in its own right. 90's tracksuit throwback anybody?
The products:
The difference between velvet and velour is minimal to some, however the prices of the products being made are pretty explanatory. Velvet is the more luxurious and it does carry a bigger price tag - but it's quality is reflected and withheld within this. The biggest downside to velvet is how tender the fabric is. Whether it appears as a worn elbow crease or a seating pressure mark, when the pile of the fabric is crushed and the angle alters, it is really hard to get rid of the evidence. This is why imitation velvet is often a more domestically viable option.
However, this does not give you the permission to rule velvet out entirely. A little insider information: if the velvet you are looking at is made from polyester (rather than cotton or a natural fibre) then this offers an alternative form of luxury in a more durable and hard-wearing guise. Polyester doesn't hold its colour as well as cotton based velvet, however it does hold a higher mark/stain-threshold meaning that yes, you can put your magazine down on the couch, and no, it won't crush your velvet (and your soul).
If you have the desire and the right environment for velvet, then velvet is what you should get. If you have the desire for children or animals, or just a bit of rough and ready, then 'Easy Velvet' or velour is perhaps the next best thing. Compromised luxury done well.
