Velour

Velour is a soft fabric woven with an extra yarn that forms loops called a pile. The loops are sheared to a shorter length on one side, giving this fabric a decorative sheen. Velour is typically used for such varied applications as sportswear, evening wear, and loungewear, due to its soft-to-the-touch pile. Velour and velvet are often mistaken for each other or thought to be the same fabric, but velour and velvet are two distinct fabrics. Velour is a knit fabric with a natural stretch, while velvet is woven, and therefore does not naturally stretch.

Also, velour is most usually made of 100% cotton. Velour gained popularity as a fabric made for clothing in the 1970s. Prior to that, velour was usually used for upholstery.