Viscose
Viscose
Pronunciation: VIS-kohs
A semi-synthetic fabric derived from wood pulp, known for its silk-like feel, breathability, and excellent drape.
What Is Viscose?
Viscose is the most widely produced member of the rayon fiber family. It is manufactured by dissolving wood pulp cellulose (from trees like bamboo, beech, eucalyptus, or pine) in a chemical bath of sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide to create a thick, honey-like liquid called viscose. This liquid is then forced through a spinneret (a device with thousands of tiny holes) into an acid bath that regenerates the cellulose into solid filaments. The resulting fibers are washed, dried, and spun into yarn.
Viscose's defining quality is its drape. The fibers are naturally smooth and have just enough weight to create fluid, graceful movement in fabric. When you see a slip, chemise, or robe that falls beautifully from the shoulder and moves with the body rather than standing stiff, it is often viscose. The fabric has a subtle natural lustre (less shiny than satin, more luminous than cotton) that gives it an understated elegance perfect for intimate apparel.
Viscose breathes well and absorbs moisture efficiently, making it comfortable against skin in warm weather. It takes dye exceptionally well, producing rich, vibrant colours that cotton and polyester struggle to match. The fabric is hypoallergenic and gentle on sensitive skin. These properties make viscose a staple in lingerie, nightwear, and loungewear, particularly in India where the hot climate demands breathable fabrics that still look refined.
The main drawback is that viscose loses about half its tensile strength when wet. This makes it vulnerable to shrinking, stretching, and distortion during washing. Always hand wash viscose lingerie in cold water, never wring or twist the fabric, and lay flat to dry on a towel. Blending viscose with 5-10% elastane improves both stretch recovery and wet durability. Viscose also wrinkles easily; a quick steam or low-heat iron while still slightly damp smooths creases without damaging the fibers.
How to Wear & Style
Viscose shines in loungewear and nightwear. A viscose robe and chemise set feels luxurious against the skin and drapes beautifully for morning coffee or evening relaxation. Viscose camisoles work as layering pieces under sheer kurtas or georgette blouses. For travel, viscose packs small and looks polished when hung to air out, though it wrinkles in a suitcase. Pair viscose pieces in rich jewel tones (ruby, emerald, sapphire) to take full advantage of the fabric's exceptional colour depth.
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Browse CollectionFrequently Asked Questions
What is viscose?
A semi-synthetic fabric derived from wood pulp, known for its silk-like feel, breathability, and excellent drape.
Is viscose the same as rayon?
Viscose is the most common type of rayon. Rayon is the broader category of semi-synthetic cellulose fibers, and viscose is the specific manufacturing process that uses the viscose method (dissolving cellulose in sodium hydroxide and carbon disulfide). Other types of rayon include modal and lyocell, which use different solvents and processes. In most contexts, when a label says rayon it means viscose rayon specifically.
Why does viscose wrinkle so easily?
Viscose fibers have weak hydrogen bonds between the cellulose chains, which break and reform when the fabric is compressed. This is the same mechanism that makes cotton wrinkle, but viscose is even more prone because its fibers are smoother and more tightly packed, so creases set more sharply. To reduce wrinkles, hang viscose lingerie immediately after washing and steam or iron on a low setting while slightly damp.