What Is Viscose? A Mum-to-Mum Guide

What Is Viscose? A Mum-to-Mum Guide

As a mum, I know how important it is to choose fabrics that are soft, safe, and comfortable for our little ones. One fabric that I discovered not long after having my second daughter was viscose. It’s incredibly soft, breathable, and just perfect for baby products. For this reason I’ve used Viscose in many of Bowy Made’s product line. A common question we’re asked is what exactly is viscose and why is it so popular for baby clothing? Well, let’s dive in and make sense of this sometimes misunderstood fabric.

Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric made from natural materials, usually wood pulp from trees like bamboo. Yes, bamboo! The process starts by taking the cellulose from the plant, which is turned into a liquid form and then spun into soft fibres. This process makes viscose unique—although there is a chemical process in the development of the fabric its roots come from natural, renewable sources (like bamboo), which also adds to the sustainability of the product. It’s a fabric that feels luxe but has a natural origin.

So Why Viscose Is Perfect for Babies?

One of the things that makes viscose ideal for baby products is its unbelievable softness. The fibres are smooth and lightweight, making them gentle on delicate baby skin. Since babies' skin can be so sensitive, choosing fabrics that won’t irritate or cause discomfort is really important, and viscose excels at this. On top of that, viscose is also breathable, this helps regulate your baby’s body temperature—keeping them cool in warmer months and cozy when it’s a little cooler.

Another great feature of viscose is its moisture-wicking abilities. As mums, we know babies tend to get a little sweaty, especially when they’re all bundled up. What viscose does is naturally pull moisture away from the skin, keeping your baby more comfortable throughout the day.

Our SoftLuv range of onesies contain a special blend of viscose and elastane fabrics.

What Are The Common Misconceptions About Viscose

There are a few misconceptions about viscose that I think are worth addressing. Some people believe that viscose is entirely synthetic. While it does go through a chemical process during production, it starts with natural fibres. This gives it an eco-friendly edge compared to fully synthetic fabrics, which are made from petrochemicals.

Depending on where you are in the world, viscose can go by different names. In the United States and Europe, it’s often referred to as Rayon. Regardless of what it's called, the qualities remain the same: a soft, breathable, and comfortable fabric that works beautifully for baby items.

Why Blending Viscose with Elastane Is So Amazing

Now, viscose is already pretty special on its own, but when you blend it with elastane (a type of stretchy fibre), it gets even better! The stretch that elastane adds makes the fabric flexible and durable, allowing it to move and stretch with your baby. That’s exactly what we want, right? Softness, breathability, and a little bit of stretch so the clothes are comfortable but also practical for all those wiggles and growth spurts.

At Bowy Made, we’ve taken viscose and elastane and created our own special blend that we’ve called SoftLuv. A mixture of 95% viscose and 5% elastane - a combination that we’ve found works perfectly for the baby items we’ve designed.

So, if you’re looking for a fabric that feels like a gentle hug for your little one, I can’t recommend SoftLuv enough. Curious to feel the difference? Check out our SoftLuv Onesie and experience it for yourself!

FEATURED PRODUCT

STORIES TO TELL

View all
What Even Is Muslin?
And why it used so regularly in baby essentials?
Read More
How To: Birth Announcement Photos
Birth announcement tips from a pro
Read More
What Is Viscose? A Mum-to-Mum Guide
What exactly is viscose and why is it so popular for baby clothing?
Read More