Velvet has a luxurious feel both in appearance and texture. Thanks to the dense and short pile, the fabric has a nice lustre that gives it a soft feel.
Velvet was originally made from silk, making it very expensive and exclusive, and was used mainly by royalty and nobility in the early Middle Ages. Later, the development of weaving technology lowered the cost of production and made the fabric accessible to more people. Today, velvet is mainly made from cotton, polyester, viscose, wool, and various blends.
Velvet is often used for festive clothing, dresses, jackets, and suits, as well as for home furnishings such as upholstery, cushions, and curtains.
Velvet comes in several varieties, including crushed velvet, where the pile lies in different directions, and velveteen, which has a shorter pile and less lustre. Velour is a similar fabric made by either knitting or weaving. Knitted velour naturally has elasticity.
Sources
Masterclass – What Is Velvet? 
Fashionary – Textilipedia
November 2024, TÄNKOM | Revised November 2024, RETHINK
