Velvet Pillowcases

A velvet pillowcase is made from velvet fabric, a woven material with a short, dense pile that gives it a soft, plush surface and a distinctive sheen. Unlike smooth cotton or satin, velvet has a tactile texture that catches the light differently depending on the direction of the pile. In bedding, velvet pillowcases are typically used decoratively for their rich visual and textural impact. Our guide to unique bedding fabrics and textures covers a broader range of distinctive fabric types.

Mainly decorative, velvet's pile texture is rich to look at but not particularly comfortable as a sleeping surface for most people, and the pile can mat against skin and hair during sleep. Velvet pillowcases work best propped at the back of a dressed bed for visual layering. Pairing velvet European pillowcases with cotton sleeping pillowcases is the most practical combination. Our guide to adding cushions to a bedroom covers how to layer decorative pieces effectively.

The range covers a wide palette including black, charcoal, navy, white, soft pink, linen, mocha, aqua, orange, and green. Velvet's pile construction makes colours appear especially rich and saturated compared to flat-weave fabrics, even neutral tones like linen and mocha take on a warmer, fuller look. The green velvet European pillowcase is a useful reference for how the colour and texture combination reads in practice.

Velvet and velour look similar but differ in construction. Velvet is a woven fabric, two layers cut apart to create a dense, short pile, while velour is a knitted fabric made from cotton or polyester, giving it a softer, stretchier feel. In bedding, velvet has a crisper, more structured look with a characteristic sheen; velour is softer and more casual. For a broader comparison of how different fabric types perform, our bed sheet materials guide covers the key differences.

In the Manchester Collection velvet range, pillowcases are available in the European format (65 × 65 cm square). European velvet pillowcases are the most common format for this fabric, as velvet is primarily a decorative choice and the square suits the back-of-bed styling role well. For standard and king sleeping sizes in other fabrics, or to understand how the European format compares, our pillowcase buying guide covers all the formats.

How do I care for velvet pillowcases? Velvet requires a little more care than cotton. Machine wash on a gentle cycle in cold water, hot water can damage the pile and cause flattening. Turn inside-out before washing and avoid overloading the machine. Tumble dry on low heat or air-dry flat to preserve the pile's direction. Steam rather than iron if creases appear, as direct ironing can crush the pile permanently. Our bedding wash guide has general care advice that applies to most fabric types.