velour
C1formal, technical (textiles/fashion), general
Definition
Meaning
A fabric resembling velvet, but woven with a pile of shorter length.
A textile product, often used in clothing and upholstery, characterized by a soft, plush surface; can refer metonymically to garments or items made from this fabric.
Linguistics
Semantic Notes
Primarily a mass noun referring to the material itself ('made of velour'); can be used as a count noun in plural form to refer to types or items ('different velours', 'a pair of velours' – the latter being rare). Associated with luxury, softness, and a specific aesthetic period (1970s fashion).
Dialectal Variation
British vs American Usage
Differences
Spelling is identical. The word 'velour' is sometimes used in the UK with a slightly stronger association to casual loungewear or tracksuits.
Connotations
UK: Often linked to 1970s fashion revival and specific subcultures (e.g., mod). US: Strongly associated with casual wear, especially 'velour tracksuits' popular in the early 2000s, and can carry connotations of informality or 'kitsch' luxury.
Frequency
Slightly more frequent in fashion/retail contexts in both regions. The US usage spike correlates with popular culture (e.g., 'Juicy Couture' tracksuits).
Vocabulary
Collocations
Grammar
Valency Patterns
made of [velour]upholstered in [velour]a [velour] [noun][adjective] velourVocabulary
Synonyms
Strong
Neutral
Weak
Vocabulary
Antonyms
Phrases
Idioms & Phrases
- “No common idioms directly feature 'velour'. It may appear in descriptive phrases like 'living in velour' to imply a comfortable, lounge-oriented lifestyle.”
Usage
Context Usage
Business
Used in retail, fashion, and textile manufacturing specifications.
Academic
Rare, except in material culture, fashion history, or textile engineering studies.
Everyday
Used when discussing clothing, home decor, or fabric choices ('I'm looking for a velour robe').
Technical
Precise term in textile classification, describing a knit or woven fabric with a cut pile.
Examples
By Part of Speech
verb
British English
- This fabric can be veloured to create a softer handle.
- The mill specialises in velouring cotton blends.
American English
- The manufacturer velours the knit to achieve that plush feel.
- They don't velour this type of fleece.
adverb
British English
- No standard adverbial use.
American English
- No standard adverbial use.
adjective
British English
- She bought a velour dressing gown.
- The velour headlining in the car felt premium.
American English
- He wore his favorite velour hoodie.
- The velour pillowcases were surprisingly affordable.
Examples
By CEFR Level
- The cushion is soft. It is made of velour.
- I prefer wearing a velour tracksuit at home because it's very comfortable.
- The interior of the classic car was retrofitted with luxurious navy blue velour.
- Textile conservators noted the degradation of the late-18th century velour drapes due to prolonged exposure to sunlight.
Learning
Memory Aids
Mnemonic
VELOUR feels like VELVET but is for LOUNGING. Think: 'Ve-LOUR-ing' on the sofa.
Conceptual Metaphor
SOFTNESS IS LUXURY / COMFORT IS STATUS (e.g., 'the velour life').
Watch out
Common Pitfalls
Translation Traps (for Russian speakers)
- Avoid translating as 'бархат' (velvet) or 'велюр' (a direct cognate, but 'велюр' in Russian is a specific type of plush for upholstery, not general clothing fabric). Context is key.
Common Mistakes
- Using 'velour' as an adjective without a noun ('The sofa is velour' – better: 'The sofa is made of velour' or 'The sofa is velour-upholstered'). Confusing it with 'velvet', which has a denser, longer pile.
Practice
Quiz
In which context is 'velour' LEAST likely to be used?
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
No. While similar in having a soft, piled surface, velvet is typically woven with a denser, longer pile, often from silk or synthetic fibers, and has a distinct sheen. Velour is usually knitted or woven with a shorter pile, commonly from cotton or polyester, and is more stretchable and casual.
Velour should generally be washed inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle and tumble dried on low heat or air-dried. Avoid ironing directly on the pile; if necessary, iron on the reverse side with low heat.
Yes, a heavier weight velour, sometimes called 'upholstery velour' or 'mohair velour', is commonly used for furniture, car interiors, and theatrical curtains due to its durability and rich appearance.
The association was heavily popularized by brands like Juicy Couture, which marketed velour tracksuits as a high-status, yet comfortable, 'ladies who lunch' style, widely adopted in celebrity culture and mainstream fashion.