Velveteen is a dense cotton fabric with a short, thick pile that imitates the luxury of velvet but is far more practical and affordable. Unlike velvet, with its longer silk pile, velveteen has a shorter, even cotton pile, so it is more matte, more wear-resistant and less capricious to care for. The fabric is pleasant to the touch, holds its shape well and gives a feeling of warmth and cosiness, so it is used for jackets, dresses, trousers and children's clothing. A close relative of velveteen is ribbed corduroy. Velveteen enjoyed peaks of popularity in 1970s fashion and returns regularly as a symbol of retro cosiness. It is a material that combines the velvety softness of appearance with cotton's easy wear — democratic luxury for every day.
