For those whose tastes run in a different direction, there are a number of excellent and high qualify fashions that are done in velvet, and velvet is renowned for its soft feel and its good looks. Velvet is a tufted fabric with a short and dense pile, and it is this design that gives velvet its famous look and feel. Velvet can be made from a variety of fibers, and it is woven on a special loom.

Velour is often mistaken for velvet, but in fact velour is a knitted counterpart of velvet. Velvet has traditionally been very expensive, and as a result it was considered by many to be a luxury fabric, on a par with silk. Fabrics like corduroy and velveteen were often used as a substitute for those people unable to afford the real thing.

The weaving of velvet is thought to have started in the Far East, and there are references to velvet dating all the way back to the 14th century. Velvet was often used for official robes, and its deep color and luxurious texture made it a favorite for royal palaces around the world. Velvet was often used to create elaborate tapestries and wall hangings to adorn palaces, as well as to provide royal robes for the king and the queen.

Although today velvet is no longer confined to royalty, and prices of velvet have become quite a bit more affordable, velvet continues to enjoy a special place in our lives. Velvet has remained a fabric of choice for robes, and velvet and velour sweaters continue to be favorites with men and women alike. There is much to love about velvet, and it continues to be one of the most luxurious and beautiful of all fabrics.

There are of course many different fabrics on the market today, including synthetic materials like nylon and rayon, all natural fabrics like wool and cotton, and of course velvet and velveteen. Each person will have his or her favorite type of fabric, and it is always important to shop around for the highest quality fabric at the best possible price.