What Is Lyocell? Properties, Look and Use in Clothing

Lyocell is a man-made fiber made from cellulose, which is usually obtained from wood. The fabric feels smooth and soft, drapes fluidly and sits lightly on the skin. That is why lyocell is found in blouses, dresses, pants, jackets and denim, often blended with other fibers.

The label says “lyocell”, and many people wonder what kind of fabric that is and how it differs from viscose and modal. This guide explains the fiber and shows which items in the shop contain lyocell.

What is lyocell?

Like viscose, lyocell is made from cellulose, the building block of plants. The cellulose is usually obtained from wood and spun into fine threads. The difference lies in the process: with viscose the cellulose is first chemically converted, with lyocell it is dissolved directly in a solvent. That is why it is called the solvent process.

So lyocell is not a natural fiber like cotton and not a plastic like polyester. The raw material comes from plants, but the fiber is made in an industrial process. It is called a cellulose or regenerated fiber. Different manufacturers offer lyocell under their own brand names, while the label usually shows the fiber name lyocell.

What are the properties of lyocell?

These properties are generally attributed to lyocell:

• Soft, smooth feel. Lyocell feels supple and often has a matte, silky sheen.
• Fluid drape. The fabric hangs softly and moves with you.
• Airy on the skin. Many people find lyocell light and airy, and the fiber absorbs moisture well.
• Takes dye well. Lyocell takes color well, so solid shades and stripes look clear on the fabric.
• Blends well. Manufacturers like to combine lyocell with cotton, polyester or elastane.

How a single item feels also depends on the yarn, the weave and the blend. What counts is always the material information on the item.

Lyocell, viscose and modal: what is the difference?

All three are cellulose fibers that mostly come from wood. The fibers differ in how they are made and feel similarly smooth and soft.

• Viscose. The classic version, soft and flowing. More in the guide What is viscose?
• Modal. A further development of viscose with a modified process. More in the guide What is modal?
• Lyocell. Made in the solvent process, in which the cellulose is dissolved directly.

Cotton, on the other hand, is a natural fiber from the cotton plant. Cotton fabrics usually feel firmer and grippier, while lyocell is softer and smoother. You can find an overview of other materials in the fabric guide for women’s fashion.

Which clothing contains lyocell?

Lyocell is found in blouses, dresses, pants, skirts, light jackets and denim. In jeans it is often blended with cotton, and the blend can feel softer and more fluid than pure cotton. Lyocell is usually not used alone but in a blend.

Which items in the shop contain lyocell?

For the following items, lyocell is listed in the material information on the item. The details come from there.

Jacket. According to the material information, the striped summer jacket in pink is made of 85% lyocell and 15% polyester. The jacket has a vertical stripe design, an oversized cut, a full-length zip and an elastic hem.

Jacket in khaki. The same jacket is available in khaki, a muted green. The material information is also 85% lyocell and 15% polyester.

Jacket in blue. The striped summer jacket is also available in blue, again made of 85% lyocell and 15% polyester.

Skort. The skort in brown is a short skort with ruffles and an elastic waistband and is made of 100% lyocell. Ideas for styling are in the guide How to style a skort.

What does lyocell in a blend mean?

Manufacturers like to blend lyocell with other fibers. Polyester makes the fabric hold its shape better, cotton gives it a firmer character, elastane adds stretch. So look at the percentage: with 100% lyocell the cellulose fiber alone defines the fabric, with 85% polyester is added, and with a small share lyocell mainly complements the other fibers, for example the cotton in denim.

You can find the percentage under “Material” on the item. It also says whether lyocell is in the outer fabric or only in the lining.

How do you style items made of lyocell?

Three approaches with items from the shop:

• Earthy. The jacket in khaki goes with white, black and brown. Wear it with the skort in brown and a plain white shirt.
• Light and soft. You wear the striped jacket in pink open over a white top, and cream and denim go well with it.
• Fresh. The striped jacket in blue goes with white and beige.

Matching items in the shop: jackets, lightweight jackets, skorts and jeans.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is lyocell?

Lyocell is a man-made fiber made from cellulose, which is usually obtained from wood. The fabric feels smooth and soft, drapes fluidly and sits lightly on the skin.

What is the difference between lyocell and viscose?

Both are cellulose fibers. With viscose the cellulose is first chemically converted, with lyocell it is dissolved directly in a solvent. In everyday wear both feel similarly smooth.

Is lyocell a natural or a synthetic fiber?

Neither in the strict sense. The raw material cellulose comes from plants, but the fiber is made industrially. That is why it is called a cellulose or regenerated fiber.

Is lyocell also sold under other names?

Yes, different manufacturers offer lyocell under their own brand names. The label usually shows the fiber name lyocell with the percentage.

Why is lyocell blended into jeans?

Manufacturers like to blend lyocell with cotton. The blend can feel softer and more fluid than pure cotton.