Velvet fabric
A weave: silk, viscose, cotton or polyester. Woven as a double cloth and cut through the middle, leaving a dense, short pile.
How it feels
Plush, rich, changes shade in the light.
Season: Autumn and winter – it keeps you warm.
What it's used for
Evening dresses, blazers, trousers, accessories.
A velvet blazer or suit is the festive take on tailoring; pair with silk or a fine knit.
Pros
- Deep colour and luxury
Cons
- The pile crushes and marks
- Can't be ironed directly
Care: a typical label
Always follow your own garment's label – blends and finishes change the care.
How it's constructed
Pile weave. Dense cut yarns stand up from the base cloth – the pile. Warm and rich, but the pile crushes and marks.
A little history
Velvet was the fabric of kings – Renaissance Venice and Genoa were famous for luxurious velvets.
How to recognise it
Read the surface: diagonal lines mean twill, shiny and slippery means satin, a raised nap means pile, sideways stretch means a knit.
Sustainability
A weave's footprint depends on the fibre it's made from – check the composition on the label.
When buying
The same weave behaves differently in different fibres: silk and polyester satin look alike, but only silk breathes. Always read the composition.
Frequently asked
01What is velvet?
A weave: silk, viscose, cotton or polyester. Woven as a double cloth and cut through the middle, leaving a dense, short pile.
02Is velvet a natural fabric?
It's a weave or knit – whether it's natural depends on the fibre it's made from.
03Does velvet shrink?
A little: velvet can shrink 1–2%, mostly in the first wash.
04Is velvet breathable?
Only so-so: velvet doesn't absorb moisture, it moves it along – fine for sport, less so next to skin on a hot day.