Few fabrics make a statement as decadent as velvet. With its plush, smooth texture and lustrous appearance, velvet in any form exudes an air of opulence fit for royalty. Velvet has been making dramatic statements for thousands of years, worn everywhere from medieval royal courts to modern red carpet moments and stage costumes.
What is Velvet?
Velvet is a woven fabric with a dense, plush pile, made from short fibers that feel luxuriously soft to the touch. The very first velvet fabrics date back to ancient times and were made from the finest silk, reserved for the highest echelons of society.
Today, velvet can be made from a variety of materials, including cotton, polyester, rayon, nylon, and wool. Once a marker of nobility, today’s wide array of velvet textiles makes it simple for anyone to feel a bit like royalty.
Velvet feels rich, soft, and indulgent
- Short, uniform fibers create lush softness, similar to the silky skin of a peach.
- The plush, cushiony texture feels warm and exceptionally comfortable.
Velvet looks smooth, radiant, and glamorous
- The silken texture reflects light with a subtle, elegant sheen.
- Its fluid drape is endlessly flattering on nearly any silhouette.
Shop our Print Velvet in blue, purple, and red
How is Velvet Made?
Velvet fabric is woven on a special loom that forms two distinctly thick layers at once. Extra warp yarns connect these layers, then cut into two separate pieces, giving velvet its rich, satiny signature. The cut fibers all stand upright in the same pile direction, which is why classic velvet can look lighter or darker depending on the angle you view it from, and why brushing against the grain temporarily shifts its color.
What is Crushed Velvet?
Crushed velvet is finished velvet fabric treated to achieve a crinkled texture, giving it a look that is, quite literally, crushed. This finish involves twisting or pressing the fabric while it is still wet, using heat, chemicals, or mechanical processes to set the texture.
Polyester crushed velvet tends to hold this crinkled finish especially well, since synthetic fibers generally respond to heat setting more durably than silk or cotton. The result keeps velvet’s radiant sheen while adding a distinctive texture that looks more dynamic and shimmery.
Shop our Tyra Crushed Glitter Velvet in black and navy
Crushed Velvet vs Classic and Burnout Velvet
The clearest way to distinguish crushed velvet from classic velvet comes down to how each one reflects light. Both feel soft to the touch, but crushed velvet’s uneven texture looks almost marbled, even though the underlying color stays constant. Untreated velvet, by contrast, keeps a classic, glassy sheen that reflects light evenly across the surface.
Crushed velvet is a different fabric from devore, or burnout, velvet. Burnout velvet uses acid or other chemicals to dissolve parts of the pile entirely, creating a semi-sheer pattern rather than a crinkled texture, which gives it a distinctly different look altogether.
How to Choose Between Velvet and Crushed Velvet
Choosing between velvet and crushed velvet comes down almost entirely to personal taste. Both varieties work beautifully for fall and winter bridesmaid dresses, evening gowns, prom dresses, and other special-occasion attire, and both come in a wide range of textures, colors, and patterns.
When Classic Velvet Fits Best
Classic velvet suits projects built around formal romance, timeless elegance, high-end glamour, and understated sophistication. Its smooth, even luster reads as more traditional and polished, making it a natural fit for formalwear and structured evening pieces.
When Crushed Velvet Fits Best
Crushed velvet suits projects with more modern appeal, a vintage rock-and-roll edge, elevated casual style, or a fun, bold personality. A velvet blazer can absolutely be dressed down for daytime, and a crushed velvet gown can just as easily anchor a formal event. The only real limit is imagination, and either fabric tends to make a strong impression.
Velvet has also long been a staple of costume work, whether for figure skating, dance, cosplay, or general creative projects. With many variations of stretch velvet, velveteen, and embellished velvet, this fabric remains a standout choice for showstopping looks. The costume and cosplay collection is worth a look for anyone building a performance piece.
Velvet for Home Decor
Velvet is not just for garments. It has long been a staple of upscale decor for homes and special event spaces alike.
Bringing Velvet Into a Room
Whether it shows up as luxe drapery, posh upholstery, or plush, cozy bedding, velvet fabric makes a bold statement through its lustrous sheen and ultra-smooth touch. Velvet adds instant personality to a room, especially when you want real visual impact.
Neutral colors like black, grey, or beige tend to make furniture and drapery feel more refined, while bright colors and unexpected accents can transform a room from basic to fresh almost instantly. A single bold accent chair or ottoman in the right shade of velvet can change the feel of an entire living space.
How to Care for Velvet and Crushed Velvet
Velvet and crushed velvet both hold up well over time with the right care routine, though a few extra precautions help protect the pile.
Caring for Velvet Apparel
When in doubt, hand-wash velvet garments in cold water with mild detergent, avoiding bleach and fabric softeners. Do not wring, rub, or twist the fabric, and rinse thoroughly before laying it flat to dry.
To remove wrinkles, steam rather than iron velvet, since direct heat from an iron can permanently crush the pile. Hold a handheld steamer a couple of inches from the surface and gently brush with a soft-bristle garment brush in the direction of the pile to help restore the nap.
Caring for Velvet Furniture
Use a soft brush attachment to vacuum velvet couches, chairs, and ottomans regularly to keep dust from settling into the pile. Spot-clean any spills promptly with a clean, damp cloth rather than scrubbing the fabric. Always brush velvet upholstery in one consistent pile direction to prevent permanent matting. For crushed velvet furniture, a light steaming can help refresh the texture if it becomes flattened over time.
Find the Velvet for You
Velvet can elevate almost any silhouette, transforming a plain dress into a luxe cocktail look or turning a simple button-up shirt into a more elegant piece. Whether you want the glamour of a ball gown, the everyday appeal of a statement coat, or the timeless look of a tailored suit, an extensive velvet fabric collection makes it easier to find the right match.
Filters make it easy to shop by weight, fiber, or finish, and free swatches let you preview color, texture, and drape before committing to a larger order. From established fashion houses to emerging creators, this collection offers a lasting foundation for ready-to-wear lines, editorial statements, and specialty garments. The full range includes crushed velvet, stretch velvet, glitter velvet, and embroidered velvet fabric, all sold by the yard and ready to ship.
