Panne Velvet vs. Devore Velvet: Key Differences, Uses, and Style Guide

Last Updated May 20, 2025

Panne velvet features a smooth, glossy surface with a short, dense pile, offering a sleek appearance and soft texture ideal for upholstery and fashion. Devore velvet is distinguished by its semi-transparent pattern achieved through a chemical burnout process, combining plush velvet areas with sheer sections for a dramatic, textured look. Both fabrics exude luxury, but panne velvet emphasizes shine and uniformity, while devore velvet highlights intricate patterns and contrast.

Table of Comparison

Feature Panne Velvet Devore Velvet
Fabric Type Cut pile velvet with a crushed effect Velvet with burned-out patterns
Texture Soft, smooth, glossy surface Contrasting areas of sheer and velvet
Appearance Plush, velvety shine Decorative, patterned look
Production Cutting pile fibers pressed in one direction Chemical burnout to create patterns
Use Cases Draperies, upholstery, fashion garments Luxury apparel, home decor accents
Durability Strong and durable Delicate due to burnout technique
Maintenance Requires gentle cleaning Needs careful handling

Introduction to Panne Velvet and Devore Velvet

Panne velvet and devore velvet are distinct types of fabric known for their rich texture and visual appeal. Panne velvet is characterized by its smooth, shiny surface created by pressing the velvet pile in one direction, resulting in a luxurious, reflective finish often used in upholstery and evening wear. Devore velvet features a semi-transparent pattern achieved by chemically dissolving parts of the fabric, combining plush velvet with sheer mesh, making it popular for decorative curtains and fashion garments.

Defining Panne Velvet: Characteristics and Process

Panne velvet is a luxurious fabric distinguished by its glossy, crushed texture achieved through pressure and heat applied in the same direction on the fabric, creating a shimmering, uneven surface. Its unique manufacturing process involves pressing the pile in one direction using rollers or heated rollers, resulting in a soft, plush feel with distinctive light reflectance. This contrasts with devore velvet, which uses a chemical process to dissolve parts of the fabric, producing semi-transparent patterns rather than the uniform crushed effect of panne velvet.

What is Devore Velvet? Unique Features Explained

Devore velvet is a fabric characterized by its semi-transparent patterns created through a chemical burnout process that dissolves parts of the velvet pile, producing a contrasting, textured design. Unlike panne velvet, which has a uniformly crushed and shiny surface, devore velvet features intricate, sheer motifs that blend plush velvet areas with open mesh sections. This combination of opacity and transparency makes devore velvet unique for adding visual depth and tactile interest to upholstery, drapery, and fashion applications.

Visual Differences: Panne Velvet vs Devore Velvet

Panne velvet features a smooth, crushed texture created by pressing the fabric pile in one direction, resulting in a glossy, reflective surface. Devore velvet showcases a semi-transparent pattern achieved by chemically burning away portions of the velvet pile, producing a striking contrast between sheer and plush areas. Visually, panne velvet offers a uniform sheen and rich depth, while devore velvet presents an intricate interplay of opaque and translucent motifs.

Texture and Feel: Comparing Panne and Devore Velvet

Panne velvet features a smooth, crushed texture created by pressing the fabric's pile in one direction, resulting in a shiny and soft surface that feels luxurious to the touch. In contrast, devore velvet showcases a patterned texture where parts of the pile are chemically burned away, creating a combination of sheer and raised velvet areas that offer a distinct tactile experience with both smooth and transparent sections. The tactile contrast between the densely plush panne velvet and the semi-transparent devore velvet highlights their unique aesthetic and sensory appeal in textile applications.

Manufacturing Techniques: Panne vs Devore Velvet

Panne velvet is created using a pressure roller during the finishing process, which flattens the pile in one direction to produce a shiny, lustrous surface with a smooth texture. Devore velvet involves a chemical burnout technique where a fabric blend of velvet and a sheer base has portions of the pile dissolved, creating semi-transparent patterns that contrast with the plush velvet areas. These distinct manufacturing techniques result in panne velvet offering a consistent sheen and texture, while devore velvet showcases intricate designs with both dense and sheer sections.

Typical Uses and Applications of Panne Velvet

Panne velvet, characterized by its crushed, glossy texture, is commonly used in fashion for evening gowns, dance costumes, and upholstery due to its luxurious appearance and stretchability. Its unique finish makes it ideal for theatrical costumes and decorative pillows, providing a rich, tactile aesthetic. Compared to devore velvet, which features a burnout pattern allowing translucency, panne velvet's uniform surface is better suited for garments requiring a smooth, shiny drape.

Popular Uses for Devore Velvet in Fashion and Decor

Devore velvet, characterized by its semi-transparent patterns created through chemical burnout, is popular in fashion for creating luxurious eveningwear, scarves, and blouses that combine texture with lightness. In home decor, devore velvet is favored for elegant curtains, accent pillows, and upholstery that add a touch of sophistication and visual interest to living spaces. Its unique ability to blend sheer and plush fabric elements makes devore velvet a versatile choice for designers seeking both tactile appeal and intricate design effects.

Durability and Care: Panne Velvet vs Devore Velvet

Panne velvet features a dense, crushed texture that offers excellent durability, making it resistant to wear and suited for high-traffic areas. Devore velvet, characterized by its semi-transparent pattern created through chemical burnout, is more delicate and requires gentle care to prevent damage. While panne velvet can typically be machine-washed on a gentle cycle, devore velvet often needs dry cleaning to maintain its intricate design and fabric integrity.

Choosing the Right Velvet: Which Suits Your Needs?

Panne velvet features a dense, crushed texture that reflects light for a shimmering effect, making it ideal for upholstery and decorative accents requiring a luxurious, durable fabric. Devore velvet incorporates a burnout technique that creates sheer patterns by chemically dissolving part of the fabric, perfect for elegant draperies and fashion garments demanding intricate, textured designs. Selecting between panne and devore velvet depends on whether you prioritize durability and sheen or ornamental transparency and pattern complexity for your specific project.

Panne Velvet vs Devore Velvet Infographic

Panne Velvet vs. Devore Velvet: Key Differences, Uses, and Style Guide


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