What is viscose? Everything about this soft and comfortable fabric

Viscose is widely used in women’s fashion, and for good reason. The fabric feels soft and smooth, drapes beautifully and is comfortable to wear. It is especially popular for dresses, blouses, skirts and lightweight sweaters.

But what exactly is viscose? Is it a natural or synthetic fabric? And why is viscose used so often in clothing?

In this blog, we explain more about viscose, its main properties and how to care for viscose clothing.

What is viscose?

Viscose is a textile fibre made from cellulose. This cellulose is plant-based and is usually derived from wood.

During the production process, the cellulose is dissolved and turned into a liquid solution. This is then pushed through very small openings and formed again into long fibres. These fibres can be made into yarns and eventually into fabrics.

Viscose therefore sits somewhere between natural and synthetic fibres. The raw material is plant-based, but a technical and chemical process is required to turn it into a usable textile fibre.

For this reason, viscose is also known as a regenerated cellulose fibre.

Is viscose a natural fabric?

This is a common question, and the answer is more nuanced than simply yes or no.

The basis of viscose is natural: cellulose derived from plant material, usually wood. However, viscose fibres do not occur naturally in the same way as cotton or wool.

The cellulose is first processed and then regenerated into fibres.

Viscose is therefore not a synthetic fibre like polyester, which is made from petroleum, but neither is it a completely natural fibre like cotton, linen or wool.

It belongs to the group of man-made cellulose fibres.

Why does viscose feel so comfortable?

One of the most important qualities of viscose is its comfort.

Viscose usually feels soft and smooth and can absorb moisture well. This makes viscose clothing pleasant to wear directly against the skin.

The fabric also tends to drape beautifully. A viscose dress or skirt moves easily with the body and often feels less stiff than heavier fabrics.

It is this combination of softness and fluid movement that makes viscose particularly suitable for feminine fashion.

Viscose in women’s fashion

Viscose is a versatile material and can be used in many different ways.

You will find viscose in dresses with a soft, flowing drape, as well as in lightweight blouses, skirts, tops and sweaters. The fibre is also often blended with other materials.

A blend of viscose and wool, for example, can create a softer and more supple knitted fabric. Combined with polyamide or polyester, other qualities can be added to the garment.

That is why it is always worth looking not only at the design of a garment, but also at the fibre composition on the label.

The properties of viscose

Viscose has several qualities that make it attractive for clothing.

The fabric usually feels soft and pleasant against the skin. It can also absorb moisture well and often has a beautiful, fluid drape.

Colours can appear particularly rich on viscose, which makes the material well suited to fashion with strong colours and distinctive patterns.

The final properties naturally also depend on the way the fabric has been woven or knitted and on any other fibres blended with the viscose.

Is viscose suitable for both summer and winter?

Viscose is often associated with summer clothing, but it can be worn throughout much of the year.

In a thin, lightweight fabric, viscose is especially comfortable during warmer weather. In a heavier knit or when blended with a fibre such as wool, it can also be very suitable for autumn and winter clothing.

The composition and thickness of the garment are therefore often more important than the word viscose on the label itself.

Is viscose sustainable?

This question also requires a balanced answer.

Because the cellulose used for viscose is usually derived from wood, the source of that wood is important. Responsible forestry can help reduce the environmental impact of the raw material. At the same time, chemicals are used in traditional viscose production, and the way manufacturers manage these substances can make a significant difference.

The environmental impact of viscose can therefore vary considerably depending on the manufacturer and the production process.

There are also newer forms of production in which greater attention is paid to the origin of the raw materials and to cleaner production methods.

It is therefore too simplistic to say that viscose is always sustainable or always unsustainable. The origin of the cellulose and the way the fibre is produced both play an important role.

Viscose, modal and lyocell: what is the difference?

Viscose, modal and lyocell all belong to the broader family of cellulose fibres, but they are not produced in exactly the same way.

Viscose is the best-known and oldest of these fibres. Modal is a further-developed cellulose fibre produced under modified manufacturing conditions. Lyocell is made using a different process and is known, among other things, for its soft and smooth feel.

You may therefore see these materials listed alongside each other on clothing labels.

As always, the quality of a garment is not determined by the fibre name alone. The quality of the yarn, the fabric construction, the design and the finishing all play an important role.

How should you care for viscose clothing?

Viscose needs a little extra care when washing.

Always check the care label first, as the correct treatment depends on the composition and construction of the fabric.

A gentle wash programme and a mild detergent are often a good choice. Avoid unnecessarily high temperatures and do not handle wet viscose too roughly.

Allow the garment to dry naturally where possible and always follow the specific care instructions provided by the manufacturer.

This will help preserve the shape and appearance of your clothing for as long as possible.

Why choose viscose?

Viscose is especially valued for its comfort and appearance.

The fibre can feel soft, absorb moisture well and create a beautiful, flowing drape. Colours and patterns can also look particularly rich on viscose.

This makes viscose an interesting material for women who care not only about how a garment looks, but also about how it feels and moves when worn.

At 13 doors, you will find viscose in different collections and garments, both as a main material and blended with other high-quality fibres.

A beautiful garment is not defined by colour and design alone. The material also determines how clothing feels, drapes and wears.