Duvet Vs. Comforter - Is There A Difference?

‘Down Duvet’ or ‘Down Comforter’? Both words refer to the same luxurious, down-filled insert typically used with a cover. They’re synonymous, but can you really use either word? Some say you can. Tomay-to, tomah-to. I say, Duvet all the way. Let me persuade you.

'Duvet' is European, derived from the French word for down. Duvet is the term used more commonly in Canada, of course, because most of us can’t say more than ‘Bonjour’ but love to pretend like we’re super francais, super sophistique.

American friends, take it from us. Using French words makes you immediately cool, in an effortless, French-girl-chic kind of way. I mean, if you’ve just dropped a few hundred dollars on bedding, you’re going to want to brag about it. And don’t you want to sound refined, worldly, sexy even? For added effect, try it with your best French accent.

If you say Duvet, it sounds like you care about your home. You’re always looking to ‘create a more elevated look’. You for sure know the difference between an armoire and a chifforobe and take pleasure in educating other (uninterested) people about it. You would never confuse royal blue and sapphire and the person you would save in a fire is your Harvey Probber lounge chair. You and your mid-century modern domicile are prepared for a correspondent from Apartamento to appear at any moment for a shoot, in which you’ll stand gazing contemplatively out your bay window, both hands wrapped around a vintage Russel Wright mug in cantaloupe. Tell me you don’t want to be that guy.

Third point. You know you want to use #duvetday on Instagram on those days when you ‘can’t even’ (insert snoozing pet, insert classic novel you’re not actually reading, insert super-contrived au naturel lewk #nomakeupnofilter).

Also, if you say Duvet, it sounds like you’re in the know about down and feather products. You talk about the specs on your down sleeping bag like my ‘DJ’ friend that lives in his parents’ basement and is perpetually ‘aspiring’ talks about his mixer. You wear a down jacket that screams ‘I just came back from snowshoeing in the Rockies,’ even though the harshest environment that jacket has seen is your local Walmart on a Sunday afternoon. When someone says, ‘Nice Comforter’, you look at them with the same exaggerated indignation you reserve for people that call your down gilet a vest.

Comforter is the word more often used in the United States, and hey, we don’t judge you for needing a little comforting every now and again. I’m not saying we’re tougher up here in the great white North, but we do sleep in frigid igloos among man-eating polar bears.  

The problem with the word Comforter is that it can refer to 5-star hotel style down bedding, or that faded, threadbare excuse for a blanket you used in college. Unless you’re still living on Pabst and ramen (and if you are, much respect, v derelicte), it’s time to graduate to the elegant, urbane, have-your-shit-together ‘Duvet’, non?

I will admit that both ‘Duvet’ and ‘Comforter’ are a little normcore for the more recalcitrant among us. If you have a delightfully offbeat or clever alternative, please let me know in the comments!

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Illustrations by Amanda Nguyen