What Is Viscose? Properties, Look and Ways to Style It

Viscose is a man-made fiber made from cellulose, which is usually obtained from wood. The fabric drapes softly and fluidly and feels smooth. That is why viscose is found in many blouses, dresses, wide pants, tops and knitwear.

The label often says “viscose”, and many people wonder what is behind it: natural fiber or synthetic fiber? And how does it differ from cotton? This guide explains what viscose is, which properties are attributed to it, how to tell it apart from modal and lyocell, and how to style items made of viscose.

What is viscose?

Viscose is made from cellulose, the building block of plants. For the fiber, cellulose is usually obtained from wood, chemically dissolved and then spun into fine threads. That is why viscose is also called a cellulose or regenerated fiber. It used to be called artificial silk, and in English it is called rayon.

So viscose 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.

What are the properties of viscose?

Viscose is known above all for its drape. These properties are generally attributed to it:

• Fluid drape. The fabric hangs softly and moves with you.
• Smooth, soft feel. Viscose feels supple and often has a matte, silky sheen.
• Light and cool. Many people find viscose light and pleasantly cool on the skin. That is why it often appears in summer pieces.
• Takes dye well. Viscose takes color well, so solid shades and prints such as leopard print look clear on the fabric.
• Wrinkles easily. Viscose is considered prone to wrinkles.

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

Viscose or cotton: what is the difference?

Cotton is a natural fiber that comes from the cotton plant. Viscose is a cellulose fiber made from wood. Cotton fabrics usually have a firmer, grippier character, while viscose drapes smoother and softer. Muslin and denim, for example, are usually made of cotton. How muslin is made is explained in the guide What is muslin? You can find both fabrics compared with other materials in the fabric guide for women’s fashion.

Viscose, modal and lyocell: how are they related?

All three are cellulose fibers from wood. The fibers differ in how they are made.

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

Which clothing contains viscose?

Viscose is found in almost every item that should drape softly: blouses, dresses, skirts, wide pants, tops, long-sleeve shirts, knitwear and coats. It is often not used alone but in a blend. Here are a few examples from the shop, each based on the material information on the item.

Wide pants. According to the material information, the leopard print baggy pants in pink are made of 100% viscose. The pants have an extra wide leg and an elastic waistband, and you can find more styles in the baggy pants.

Top. The viscose basic top in yellow is sleeveless and close-fitting, and it is made of 95% viscose and 5% elastane. You can find more styles in the basic tops.

Knitwear. The cardigan in brown is a chunky knit with a zigzag pattern and is made of 50% viscose and 50% polyamide. There is a selection in the cardigans and knitted jackets.

Long-sleeve shirt. The striped basic long-sleeve shirt in apricot is a mix of 75% viscose, 17% polyamide and 8% elastane. You can find more shirts in the long-sleeve shirts.

Coat. A lightweight coat can also be made of viscose: the trench coat in beige is made of 89% viscose and 11% polyester.

What does a viscose blend or viscose with elastane mean?

Manufacturers like to blend viscose with other fibers. Elastane adds stretch to the fabric. Polyamide or polyester are often added to make the fabric more stable. So look at the percentage: with 95% viscose, the viscose defines the character of the fabric, with 50% it shares it with the second fiber.

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

How do you style items made of viscose?

Three approaches with items from the shop:

• Wide and clear. The baggy pants with leopard print in pink are already a statement. A plain top in white, black or beige goes with them.
• Top and layers. You wear the basic top in yellow on its own with wide pants in green, white or beige. On cooler days a cardigan goes over it.
• Soft over soft. You wear the long-sleeve shirt in apricot under the cardigan in brown, with light jeans. Both items contain viscose, and the colors stay warm and calm.

Matching items in the shop: tops and pants and skirts.

Frequently asked questions

What kind of fabric is viscose?

Viscose is a man-made fiber made from cellulose, usually from wood. The fabric drapes softly and fluidly and feels smooth.

Is viscose 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.

What is the difference between viscose and polyester?

Viscose is based on cellulose from plants, while polyester is a plastic made from crude oil. Both are available in flowing fabrics, but they feel different.

Is viscose the same as rayon?

Yes, rayon is the English term for viscose. In German it used to be called Kunstseide, or artificial silk.

Why is viscose blended with elastane?

Elastane makes the fabric stretchy. Tops and long-sleeve shirts made of viscose with elastane therefore give with movement.