Which fabric is the best to wear, Viscose Vs. Polyester? Well, here is a fabric guide to help you better understand the difference between the two!
Fabrics come in various types, each with its advantages and disadvantages. In this article, Barbie's Beauty Bits will discuss two of the most popular fabrics: polyester and viscose (a type of rayon).
These are both man-made fibers, but there are some differences, benefits, and drawbacks between viscose and polyester. So, if you want to know which fabric is the best for you to wear, continue reading!
Everything You Need To Know About Polyester
Polyester - what is it? Polyester makes up more than half of retail clothes sold worldwide, but like any material, it has some advantages and disadvantages.
Polyester is a synthetic fabric made by polymerizing plastic from petroleum into large chains through heat and pressure. The melted plastic spins out to polyester fibers that are shaped when cooled and then bonded together. Giving the finished product an elastic quality and making it very durable.
The fabric is also lightweight, resistant to tears and abrasions, and machine washable. This makes it the ideal material for items like shirts, dresses, skirts, pants, and more.
Benefits Of Wearing Polyester Fabrics
The main advantage of wearing polyester is its durability and strength. This is why polyester doesn't lose its shape and doesn't stretch out of shape. With polyester garments, you can move freely. It is common to blend polyester with other fabrics, such as spandex, when making clothes that require a lot of movement.
Despite its strength, this versatile fabric is lightweight and functional for many clothing styles.
Most fabrics require special laminate treatments to make them water-resistant. That, however, is not the case with polyester, as it is naturally moisture-wicking.
Polyester is also wrinkle-resistant, so it's ideal for those who don't have time to iron clothes daily. Finally, since polyester is stain-resistant, it is well suited for situations like dining out or dealing with pets or children. These combine to make polyester a popular choice for women's fashion.
Drawbacks Of Wearing Polyester
Some potential downsides of wearing polyester include that it can sometimes be bulky and not very breathable. It also can trap perspiration and heat, making you feel hot and sweaty. Furthermore, polyester garments are typically produced only in solid colors, though some designers are experimenting with stylish prints.
Finally, polyester is also quite expensive to produce when compared to cotton or other natural fabrics. Which is why it is often quite a bit more costly.
Everything You Need To Know About Viscose Fabric
Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric, which means it is partially natural and man-made.
Viscose is plant-based and made from natural materials. The truth is viscose is made from wood pulp or cellulose. Natural fibers are made from beech, pine, and eucalyptus, but they can also be made from bamboo. Which are chemically processed into clothing fibers, hence the natural and man-made components.
If you've never heard of viscose, you may know it by another name, rayon! Viscose rayon is a lightweight fabric with a lustrous finish and a soft feel. The product is relatively inexpensive and conveys luxury at a much lower price. Additionally, it blends well with cotton, polyester, and spandex.
Because of its durability, viscose rayon is used as a substitute for silk. However, compared to polyester, it is not as durable. Due to its plant fibers, it can shrink a lot when washed and dried, especially if it is exposed to heat. It is also very easy for viscose to wrinkle.
Advantages Of Viscose Fabric
The main advantage of viscose and rayon is that they are incredibly lightweight and comfortable. It also feels soft and drapes nicely over the body, giving your outfits a great look.
Lastly, it is relatively inexpensive to produce, making it a cost-effective option for people who are on a clothing budget. This is why you will often find this fabric in fast-fashion blouses and dresses in retailers like Forever 21, Target, and H & M.
Drawbacks Of Wearing Viscose Garments
One of the main drawbacks of viscose is that it is not as durable as some of the other fabrics. It is prone to stretching and bagging, and it doesn't recover. This fabric is not as breathable as others and can be uncomfortable to wear in hot weather.
Viscose is known for absorbing moisture, body oils, etc, which can result in spotting and stains. Due to its origin in plant fibers, it shrinks easily, especially after washing and drying. The fibers in viscose can relax due to heat, so washing in cold water is imperative.
Drying viscose will most likely cause it to shrink, so hang it up to dry instead.
It can also wrinkle very easily and become misshapen if it is not properly cared for. This can make it very difficult to wear and ruin the appearance and fit of your clothing.
To Sum It Up
So, to sum up, the difference between viscose and polyester, here are some top pointers to take away.
- Polyester is quick-drying and easy clean. Viscose, on the other hand, shrinks easily, so it needs to be hand washed in cold water.
- In polyester, long fibers are used, while in rayon, natural fibers are used, but chemicals are used in the manufacturing process.
- A polyester garment is more moisture-wicking, while a viscose garment is more absorbent.
- A polyester garment dries faster and does not wrinkle as easily as a viscose garment.
- Viscose is more likely to pill, whereas polyester resists abrasion.
- Polyester fiber is made from oil, while viscose fiber is made from plants.
As you can see, both polyester and viscose both great man made fabrics. What's most important is determining how you plan to wear them. Polyester is versatile and durable, making it a good choice for everyday wear, especially when blended with other fibers. Viscose is ideal for dressier occasions or types of clothing you may not wear as frequently.
Whatever fabric you choose, I hope this guide helps you distinguish between Viscose and Polyester, helping you to decide which fabric is best to wear.
I had heard about polyester before but had never heard of viscose. Interesting!
ReplyDeleteI wonder if I have clothes made from viscose. I will have to check.
ReplyDeleteI honestly didn't really know about viscose, but now I do. This is a lot of great info between the two fabrics.
ReplyDeleteThis is interesting. I am not a fan of any fabric that isn't breathable and makes me sweat! I feel like I'm constantly hot. Maybe most my clothes are polyester.
ReplyDeleteThis is a really great and very informative post. I absolutely agree polyester is more versatile
ReplyDeleteI've never heard of Viscose before. I'm not a polyester fan because I live where its hot most of the year and cotton is a must. BUT, my work out clothes are polyester.
ReplyDeleteI like polyester because it doesn't shrink and as you stated it does dry and clean fast. But to be honest either fabric will work for me.
ReplyDeleteIt seems like it would be good to have both in the mix!
ReplyDeleteThank you for this information! I didn't know that rayon was the same thing so I had to read to find out as I had never heard of the Viscose.
ReplyDeleteThanks for educating me about viscose. I had never heard of it before.
ReplyDeleteI definitely love more viscose, but so many clothes are made from mixed viscose and polyester fabrics and I'm ok with that.
ReplyDeletePolyester feels more like real fabric, viscose itches me a lot.
ReplyDelete