Is Viscose Good for Summer?
Summer is hot and sticky, and finding the right clothes can be hard. When the sun is blazing and you’re sweating, what you wear really matters. Viscose is a fabric many people talk about for summer clothes. It feels soft like cotton but drapes like silk, making it a top pick for many summer wardrobes. But is viscose really good for the heat? Let’s dive into the world of this interesting fabric and find out if it deserves a spot in your summer closet.
What is Viscose?
The Story Behind Viscose
Viscose isn’t brand new – it’s been around for more than 100 years! People make it from trees, usually pine, spruce, or even bamboo. First, workers crush the wood into a pulp. Then they use chemicals to turn this pulp into a thick, honey-like liquid. This goop gets pushed through tiny holes to make threads, which then become fabric. Because it comes from trees, viscose is what we call “semi-natural” – not fully natural like cotton, but not fully fake like polyester.
How Viscose Feels
If you’ve ever touched viscose, you know it has a special feel. It’s super soft and smooth, almost slippery sometimes. It falls in pretty drapes and folds, like how water flows. Viscose doesn’t feel stiff or scratchy. Instead, it feels cool against your skin when you first put it on, which is why many people think about it for summer clothes.
Viscose for Hot Weather
The Good Things About Viscose in Summer
Viscose has some real plus points for hot days. First, it’s very breathable – that means air can move through it easily, helping sweat dry off your skin. When you’re walking around on a steamy day, this can make a big difference! It’s also lightweight, so you don’t feel weighed down. And that soft, flowing quality makes for loose, comfy clothes that don’t stick to you when you’re sweaty.
Another good thing about viscose is that it soaks up water well. This means it can pull sweat away from your body, which helps you feel less sticky. And because it’s partly made from natural stuff, it usually feels nicer against hot skin than fully fake fabrics like polyester.
The Not-So-Good Things About Viscose in Summer
But viscose isn’t perfect for summer. One big problem is that it can shrink or get weird when you wash it, especially in hot water. After a sweaty day, you want to be able to toss your clothes in the wash without worry, right?
Also, while viscose soaks up water well, it holds onto it too. This can make viscose clothes take forever to dry if you get caught in a summer rain shower or if you sweat a lot. Nobody wants to walk around in damp clothes that won’t dry!
Some types of viscose can also wrinkle really easily. You might start the day looking sharp, but end up all wrinkled by lunch. And if you’re on vacation, who wants to spend time ironing?
How Viscose Compares to Other Summer Fabrics
Let’s see how viscose stacks up against other popular summer fabrics:
| Feature | Viscose | Cotton | Linen | Polyester | Silk |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Breathability | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Poor | Good |
| Moisture Wicking | Good | Good | Excellent | Poor | Poor |
| Drying Time | Slow | Medium | Fast | Fast | Slow |
| Wrinkle Resistance | Poor | Poor | Very Poor | Excellent | Poor |
| Durability | Poor | Good | Excellent | Excellent | Poor |
| Softness | Excellent | Good | Medium | Varies | Excellent |
| Cost | Medium | Low | High | Low | Very High |
| Eco-Friendly | Medium | High | High | Low | Medium |
Tips for Wearing Viscose in Summer
Choosing the Right Viscose Items
Not all viscose clothes are equal when it comes to summer comfort. Here are some tips for picking the best viscose items for hot weather:
Look for loose, flowy styles that won’t cling to your body. The more air that can circulate between the fabric and your skin, the cooler you’ll feel.
Thin viscose is better than thick for summer. Hold the fabric up to the light – if you can see through it a bit, that’s good for hot days.
Blends can be your friend. Viscose mixed with a bit of cotton or linen often keeps the good parts of viscose while fixing some of the problems.
Simple cuts work best since viscose can be a bit floppy. Too many ruffles or complicated designs might not look as good after a sweaty day.
Taking Care of Your Viscose Summer Clothes
Viscose needs some special care to stay looking good all summer:
Always check the care tag! Some viscose can be machine washed on gentle, but some needs hand washing.
Cool or lukewarm water is best – hot water can make viscose shrink or lose its shape.
Don’t wring or twist viscose when it’s wet. Gently squeeze out water and lay flat to dry.
If you need to iron viscose, do it while it’s still a tiny bit damp, using a low heat setting.
Store viscose items hanging up rather than folded to avoid deep wrinkles.
Who Should Choose Viscose for Summer?
Viscose might be perfect for you if:
You hate the feel of sticky, plastic-like fabrics on hot days.
You’re looking for something that drapes nicely for dresses or flowy tops.
You don’t mind taking a little extra care with washing and drying.
You want something softer than linen but more affordable than silk.
You’re not doing super sweaty activities where quick-drying is important.
On the other hand, you might want to skip viscose if:
You need super tough clothes that can handle rough treatment.
You hate ironing or dealing with wrinkles.
You’re going somewhere very humid where clothes need to dry quickly.
You’ll be doing lots of swimming or sweating and changing clothes often.
Real Talk: My Experience with Viscose in Summer
I have several viscose dresses and tops in my summer wardrobe, and here’s my honest take: they’re great for certain summer days and not so great for others.
For a dinner out on a warm evening or a day at the office with air conditioning, viscose is perfect. It looks dressier than cotton but feels just as comfy. I love how my viscose clothes move when I walk and how the colors stay bright wash after wash.
But for a day at the amusement park in August? No way. When I’ve worn viscose for very sweaty activities, it gets heavy and takes forever to dry. And once, when caught in a summer thunderstorm, my viscose dress stayed damp for hours!
I’ve found that viscose works best when you know you won’t be getting super sweaty or wet. It’s my go-to for looking put-together while staying comfortable in the heat, as long as extreme conditions aren’t in the forecast.
FAQ About Viscose for Summer
Is viscose better than cotton for hot weather?
Not usually. Cotton is generally more breathable and easier to care for in very hot weather. But viscose often looks dressier while still being fairly cool to wear.
Does viscose make you sweat more?
Viscose itself doesn’t make you sweat more, but it doesn’t wick moisture away as well as some fabrics. This means sweat might stay against your skin longer in viscose clothes.
Can I wear viscose to the beach?
You can, but it might not be ideal. Viscose takes a long time to dry if it gets wet, and salt water might damage the fabric. A viscose cover-up is fine, but maybe not for swimming.
Will viscose shrink in summer heat?
The heat alone won’t shrink viscose, but washing it improperly might. Always follow the care instructions to keep your viscose looking good all summer.
Is viscose eco-friendly for summer clothes?
It’s complicated. Viscose comes from trees (renewable), but making it uses lots of chemicals. Some brands make “eco-viscose” with cleaner methods. If being green matters to you, look for these better options.
How can I tell if my summer clothes are made of viscose?
Check the tag! Viscose might also be called “rayon” in some countries. The tag will tell you both what the fabric is and how to care for it properly.
In the end, viscose can be a good choice for some of your summer clothes, especially if you pick the right items and know how to care for them. It’s not perfect for every summer situation, but its softness and pretty drape make it worth having in your warm-weather wardrobe.
