There are “performance” velvets at sites like PB and I sent for a sample of Crypton. I passed on both. Velvet, as we knew it, has been altered to be stain resistant. Whatever is done to the fabric will never feel what you and I want as a true velvet.

So, my go to fabric is true ultrasuede (trademark for I D). Soft, gorgeous, stain resistant and pet friendly (unless you are raising a baby leopard).

I upholstered a chair in ultrasuede and it is beyond my expectations.

http://shop.fieldsfabrics.com/ultrasuede

I've been hoping for a fabric with a little bit more nap than ultrasuede, like a chenille. I have an arm chair with true Ultrasuede and a love seat upholstered in an ultrasuede-like Crypton. I agree that my Crypton is not as soft as Ultrasuede, and tho I might be imagining this, I don't think it breathes quite as well in hot weather.