Many of us are concerned with fashion as it defines our looks. The kind of fabric used to make what we put on contributes to how the clothing comes out.
There are many kinds of fabrics in the market that people use to make clothing. Some of them include cotton, nylon, wool, velvet, and corduroy.
Corduroy and velvet have been referred to interchangeably as the two contain more similarities. Both of them are soft.
So, what is the main difference between corduroy and velvet? Corduroy is a strong, durable fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges while velvet is a soft, closely woven fabric that has a thick short pile on one side.
This article is going to give differences between corduroy and velvet in tabular form. You will also get to learn of the similarities between the two. For more information continue reading the article.
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Comparison Table (Corduroy vs Velvet)
| Basic Terms | Corduroy | Velvet |
| Meaning | It is a strong, durable fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges. | It is a soft, closely woven fabric that has a thick short pile on one side. |
| Nature | It does not appear dressy. | It appears dressier and more luxurious. |
| Durability | Tend to be stronger and more durable. | It is less strong and durable. |
| Cost | It is comparatively less expensive. | It is more expensive. |
What is Corduroy?
Corduroy is a strong, durable fabric with lengthwise cords or ridges. It is used to make garments like jackets, waistcoats, trousers, and shirts. (Check Best Corduroy Deals on Amazon).
It is made from multiple cords laid parallel to each other and stitched together. Lower wale number result in thick width of the cord.
It comes in a wide range of styles, colors, wale sizes, and fabric weight. Wide wale fabrics are more suitable for making trousers while medium and fine wale fabrics are suitable for upper garments like shirts.
The fabric is made from cotton or cotton blend. It came into existence in the 18th century as common people had an equivalent to velvet since it was less expensive. Hence the confusion between the two types of fabrics came in.
What is Velvet?
Velvet is a soft, closely woven fabric that has a thick short pile on one side. It is used for clothing and also for home decor as it has a high feel and appearance. (Check Best Velvet Deals on Amazon).
It has a soft, smooth feel and a beautiful drape. It can be from either natural fiber or synthetic. Common synthetic fibers include; cotton, silk, and nylon.
The production process is complex and difficult. It is made on a special loom that can weave two thicknesses of the material at the same time.
It was often considered a luxurious fabric hence more expensive than other fabrics. It was often associated with nobility and royalty in the past.
There are various types of velvet fabrics and they are sold at different prices. The fabric is commonly used for home décor due to its beautiful appearance.
It is a preferred choice for evening wear and formal dresses as it brings out a good look on the wearer hence most people prefer it.
Main Differences between Corduroy and Velvet
- Corduroy is a strong fabric while velvet is a comparatively less strong fabric.
- Corduroy is less expensive while velvet is more expensive.
- Corduroy is made from multiple cords laid next to each other and stitched while velvet is made on a special loom that can weave two thicknesses of the material at the same time.
- Corduroy does not appear dressy while velvet appears dressier and more luxurious.
Similarities between Corduroy and Velvet
- Both are soft.
- Both are used to make clothes such as trousers.
Conclusion
Corduroy and velvet are types of fabric that bring out a good look on people. Corduroy was developed as velvet was more expensive for some people to acquire hence the confusion came in between the two as people started referring to them interchangeably.
However, the two are different from each other. The main difference between corduroy and velvet is that corduroy is a strong, durable, and lengthwise fabric with cords or ridges while velvet is a soft, closely woven fabric that has a thick short pile on one side.