View source for Velour

{{Short description|Knitted fabric or textile resembling velvet}}
{{About||the record label|Velour Recordings|the vocal group|The Velours}}
[[File:PinkBathrobe.JPG|thumb|A pink velour [[bathrobe]] made of 100% [[polyester]]]]
[[File:Velour.jpg|thumb|A piece of velour fabric]]

'''Velour''', occasionally '''velours''', is a plush, [[knit]]ted fabric or [[textile]] similar to [[velvet]] or [[velveteen]]. It can be made from [[polyester]], [[spandex]], [[cotton]], or a cotton-polyester blend.<ref>{{cite web |title=Velvet vs Velour vs Velveteen: how to Choose, Sew and Care |url=https://www.dalstonmillfabrics.co.uk/fabric-blog/velvet-vs-velour-vs-velveteen-how-to-choose-sew-and-care |website=Dalston Mill Fabrics |access-date=23 January 2024}}</ref> Velour is used in a wide variety of applications, including [[clothing]] and [[upholstery]].<ref>{{Cite web|date=2018-02-16|title=What is Velour and How Does it Differ From Velvet? {{!}} Contrado|url=https://www.contrado.co.uk/blog/what-is-velour/|access-date=2021-04-07|website=Contrado Blog|language=en-GB}}</ref> Velour typically has a medium-length [[Pile (textile)|pile]], shorter than velvet but longer than velveteen.<ref>{{cite web |last=Sarkisian |first=Chantal |date=3 November 2016 |title=WHAT THE HECK IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN VELVET, VELVETEEN & VELOUR? |url=https://modexlusive.com/fashion-talk/what-the-heck-is-the-difference-between-velvet-velveteen-velour/ |access-date=15 July 2025 |website=Modexclusive}}</ref>

==History and uses==
Velour originated in France, although it is unclear who first created it. There is a 1591 entry in the accounts of Nathaniel Bacon of Stiffkey, Norfolk, England, "''for half a yard of vellewre to make pomelles for the sydsaddelles"'' for 2 shillings' cost. (Note this is in distinction to velvet ("''vellet''") found elsewhere in the accounts).<ref> Steward's account entry no.10262 (Reference HSC/SRC 151, Hassell Smith Collection in the Norfolk Archives, England)</ref>

Velour is a knitted fabric, which makes it stretchy (unlike velvet and velveteen, which are woven). Velour is soft, allows freedom of movement, and is used for activewear and loungewear.<ref>{{cite web |last=Maker |first=Sara |date=8 January 2022 |title=Velvet vs Velveteen vs Velour: Uses & Comparison Videos |url=https://threadsmonthly.com/velvet-velveteen-velour/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=Threads Monthly}}</ref> Historically, velour was cheaper than velvet and was thus often used for home furnishings and decor which would take heavy wear and tear. However, modern manufacturing techniques make velvet affordable for home furnishings.<ref>{{cite web |last=Lo |first=Stephanie |date=16 February 2018 |title=What is Velour and How Does it Differ From Velvet? |url=https://www.contrado.co.uk/blog/what-is-velour/ |access-date=23 January 2024 |website=Contrado}}</ref> The low cost of velour allows for its use by people of all economic classes.<ref>{{cite web |title=What is Velour Fabric: Properties, How its Made and Where? |url=https://sewport.com/fabrics-directory/velour-fabric|website=Sewport  |access-date=20 March 2024}}</ref>

In the 1970s, velour gained popularity through clothing trends such as [[athleisure]] tracksuits.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |title=Velour {{!}} Encyclopedia.com |url=https://www.encyclopedia.com/sports-and-everyday-life/fashion-and-clothing/clothing-jewelry-and-personal-adornment/velour |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=encyclopedia.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Abraha |first=Magdalene |date=2021-03-18 |title=The Tracksuit Has Been Evolving For Almost a Century |url=https://www.vice.com/en/article/history-of-the-tracksuit/ |access-date=2024-03-23 |website=Vice |language=en}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Velveteen]]
*[[Duvetyne]]
*[[Rep (fabric)]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
* {{commons category-inline}}

{{Fabric}}
{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Knitted fabrics]]

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