A soft pile fabric with a plush surface, often knitted and used for clothing or upholstery.
Velour has a soft, dense pile and a decorative sheen, and is made either knitted or woven. Cotton Incorporated explains the difference: knit velour is a terry construction that has been sheared and brushed, which gives it the stretch of a knit, while woven velour has a cut pile and is soft but more rigid. Knit velour suits tracksuits, woven velour more fashion-forward pieces, and both appear in sportswear, eveningwear and loungewear. Cotton Incorporated adds that velour does not wrinkle; knit velour washes at home, while woven velour may need dry cleaning.
Woven velour and velvet are often mistaken for each other. Cotton Incorporated treats them as distinct fabrics, noting that velvet has a longer pile and more decorative uses. Terry and velour can also share one cloth: U.S. Customs describes velour toweling as terry with its loops sheared on one face.
In job listings
Velour seldom names a role. The categories it serves appear in product and boutique roles: a garment technician oversees fit and construction across underwear, swimwear, activewear and loungewear, and department-store sales associates advise clients across loungewear and other collections. See current loungewear roles.
