Lycra Vs Viscose: What You Need to Know?

Lycra and Viscose stand as distinct and versatile materials, each offering unique properties and applications. Lycra, a synthetic fiber known for its exceptional elasticity, provides garments with flexibility and form-fitting qualities, making it ideal for activewear and undergarments.

On the other hand, Viscose, a semi-synthetic fiber derived from natural wood pulp, boasts a soft and silky texture with excellent draping ability, rendering it suitable for creating elegant dresses, shirts, and skirts.

This introduction sets the stage to explore the differences between Lycra and Viscose, shedding light on their characteristics, uses, care requirements, and environmental impacts.

Key Differences Between Lycra and Viscose

Material Type

• Lycra: Lycra is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum-based materials. It is known for its high elasticity, providing excellent stretch and recovery properties to fabrics. Primarily used in blends with other fibers, Lycra adds flexibility to garments, making them comfortable and form-fitting, ideal for activewear and undergarments.
• Viscose: Viscose, also called rayon, is a semi-synthetic fiber made from wood pulp or cellulose. It has limited stretch but offers a smooth, silky texture and excellent drape. Commonly used as a standalone fabric, viscose creates comfortable clothing items like dresses, shirts, and skirts.

Source

• Lycra: Lycra, also known as spandex or elastane, is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum-based materials. It was first developed in the late 1950s by chemist Joseph C. Shivers and revolutionized the textile industry with its exceptional elasticity. The source of Lycra lies in petrochemicals, specifically polyurethane-based polymers, which undergo a complex manufacturing process to create the stretchable fibers.
• Viscose: Viscose, often referred to as rayon, belongs to the category of semi-synthetic fibers. Unlike Lycra, its source is natural, originating from wood pulp or cellulose obtained from trees. The production process involves chemically treating the cellulose to create a viscous solution, which is then extruded through spinnerets to form filaments.

Elasticity

• Lycra: Lycra is renowned for its exceptional elasticity, often providing garments with a stretch of up to 600% of their original size. This remarkable stretch and recovery property allow fabrics blended with Lycra to conform to the body’s contours, providing unparalleled comfort and ease of movement. Its strong elastic nature ensures that garments retain their shape and fit, even with frequent use and washing.
• Viscose: In contrast to Lycra, viscose has limited elasticity. While it does possess some degree of natural stretch, it is not comparable to the stretch provided by Lycra. Viscose fabrics generally have a fluid and drapey quality, which enhances their suitability for garments like dresses, shirts, and skirts. However, they lack the close-fitting, form-hugging characteristics that Lycra can impart to clothing.

Primary Use

• Lycra: Due to its exceptional stretch and recovery properties, Lycra finds its primary use in blends with other fibers. It is commonly combined with materials like cotton, polyester, or nylon to add flexibility to various types of clothing. Lycra is particularly popular in sportswear, activewear, swimwear, and undergarments, where comfort, flexibility, and a snug fit are highly desirable.
• Viscose: Viscose, on the other hand, is used as a standalone fabric in many cases. Its soft and silky texture, coupled with good draping qualities, makes it a preferred choice for creating dresses, shirts, skirts, and other flowy garments. The lack of significant elasticity doesn’t hinder its use in these clothing items, as they are designed to have a looser and more relaxed fit.

Comfort

• Lycra: Comfort is a defining feature of garments containing Lycra. Its excellent stretchability ensures that clothing made with Lycra moves with the wearer’s body, providing a comfortable and unrestricted feel. Lycra’s ability to recover its original shape after stretching further contributes to long-lasting comfort, making it ideal for athletic and form-fitting apparel.
• Viscose: Viscose fabric offers a different kind of comfort. Its smooth and silky texture, combined with the inherent breathability of natural fibers, makes it pleasant to wear, particularly in warmer climates. Viscose clothing drapes elegantly and loosely around the body, creating a relaxed and comfortable fit.

Appearance

• Lycra: Lycra, being a synthetic fiber, typically has a smooth and shiny appearance. It reflects light well, giving garments a sleek and polished look. When blended with other fibers, Lycra adds a subtle sheen to the fabric, enhancing its overall appearance. The use of Lycra in clothing often imparts a modern and athletic vibe, making it a popular choice for sportswear and activewear.
• Viscose: Viscose, also known as rayon, has a natural and soft appearance similar to that of silk. It has a subtle luster that adds a touch of elegance to garments made from this fabric. Viscose is well-regarded for its draping ability, which contributes to the graceful and flowy appearance of dresses, shirts, and skirts. Its silk-like appearance without the high cost makes it a favored option for creating sophisticated and comfortable clothing items.

Draping Ability

• Lycra: Lycra’s primary purpose is to provide elasticity to fabrics rather than drape. As a result, its draping ability is limited compared to natural fibers like viscose. Lycra-blended fabrics tend to be more form-fitting and body-hugging, following the contours of the wearer’s shape. While this property is ideal for certain types of clothing, it may not be the preferred choice for garments requiring a loose and flowing drape.
• Viscose: Viscose is renowned for its excellent draping ability. The fibers have a smooth and fluid quality that allows them to fall gracefully and create elegant folds in clothing. Dresses, shirts, and skirts made from viscose have a flattering silhouette and create a sophisticated look. Its draping ability is one of the key reasons why viscose is often chosen for creating flowy and feminine garments.

Breathability

• Lycra: Lycra, being a synthetic fiber, is not as breathable as natural fibers like viscose. It does not allow air to pass through easily, which may lead to some level of discomfort, especially in hot and humid weather. However, when blended with breathable fabrics like cotton or bamboo, the overall garment can offer a balance between stretch and breathability.
• Viscose: Viscose is highly breathable, thanks to its natural origin as a semi-synthetic fiber. The structure of the fibers allows air to circulate freely, making viscose garments comfortable to wear, even in warmer conditions. Its breathability ensures that moisture is wicked away from the skin, helping to keep the body cool and dry.

Wrinkle Resistance

• Lycra: Lycra is known for its wrinkle-resistant properties. Due to its elastic nature, Lycra-blended fabrics tend to spring back to their original shape, minimizing the appearance of wrinkles and creases. This quality makes Lycra ideal for travel clothing and garments that need to maintain a neat and smooth look even after prolonged wear.
• Viscose: Viscose, unfortunately, lacks wrinkle resistance. When compared to synthetic fibers like Lycra or other natural fibers like cotton, viscose is more prone to wrinkling. While the draping quality of viscose can hide some wrinkles, it’s essential to handle and store viscose garments with care to avoid excessive wrinkling.

Strength When Wet

• Lycra: Lycra maintains its strength even when wet. It does not lose its elasticity or structural integrity when exposed to water, making it suitable for swimwear and activewear where fabrics often come into contact with moisture.
• Viscose: Viscose, unfortunately, does not fare well when wet. The fibers lose some of their strength and can become weaker when soaked in water. This characteristic requires delicate care during washing and a preference for dry cleaning to prolong the life of viscose garments.

Durability

• Lycra: Lycra is known for its exceptional durability, particularly in terms of retaining its elasticity and shape even after extended use and washing. Its synthetic nature provides resistance to wear and tear, making it well-suited for activewear and garments intended for high-performance activities. Lycra-blended fabrics tend to maintain their quality over time, offering long-lasting clothing items.
• Viscose: Viscose has moderate durability, but it is generally not as resilient as Lycra. The fibers may be more susceptible to pilling and wear, particularly with frequent use. Viscose garments may require extra care during washing and handling to preserve their longevity. While viscose fabrics can maintain their appearance and structure with proper care, they may not withstand the same level of wear as Lycra-blended garments.

Cost

• Lycra: As a synthetic fiber with advanced properties, Lycra tends to be relatively expensive compared to natural fibers. The complex manufacturing process and the high demand for its elasticity contribute to its higher cost. This is one of the reasons Lycra is often blended with other, more affordable fibers to balance cost and performance.
• Viscose: Viscose, being a semi-synthetic fiber, is more cost-effective than Lycra. Its production involves a less complicated process, and the sourcing of raw materials from wood pulp can be more economical. As a result, viscose fabrics are generally more budget-friendly, making them accessible for a wider range of consumers.

Common Uses

• Lycra: Lycra finds widespread use in sportswear, activewear, swimwear, and undergarments. Its excellent stretch and recovery properties make it an essential component in these types of clothing, providing comfort, flexibility, and a snug fit that is often required for athletic activities.
• Viscose: Viscose is commonly used to create dresses, shirts, skirts, and other flowing garments. Its softness and drape give these clothing items an elegant and comfortable appeal. Viscose is also utilized in scarves, blouses, and lightweight summer clothing due to its breathable nature and natural shine.

Blending With Others

• Lycra: Lycra is primarily used as a blending fiber. It is often mixed with other materials such as cotton, polyester, nylon, or wool to add elasticity to the fabric. The percentage of Lycra in the blend can vary depending on the desired level of stretch in the final garment.
• Viscose: Viscose is typically used as a standalone fabric and is less commonly blended with other fibers. However, some manufacturers do blend viscose with materials like cotton or polyester to enhance certain properties or reduce costs while maintaining the comfort and drape of the fabric.

Dye Absorption

• Lycra: Lycra’s synthetic nature affects its dye absorption. It is less receptive to dyes compared to natural fibers like viscose. As a result, Lycra-blended fabrics may have slightly muted colors, especially when compared to the vibrant hues of pure viscose or other natural fabrics.
• Viscose: Viscose has excellent dye absorption properties, allowing it to take on vibrant and rich colors. The natural fibers readily absorb dyes, resulting in garments with vivid shades and a lustrous finish. This feature makes viscose an ideal choice for clothing items where vibrant colors are desired.

Care Instructions

• Lycra: Lycra-blended fabrics are generally easy to care for. They are resistant to wrinkling and tend to bounce back to their original shape after washing. Lycra garments can be machine washed in most cases, but it’s essential to follow the manufacturer’s guidelines to maintain their elasticity and longevity. Drying on a low heat setting or air-drying is recommended to avoid damaging the Lycra fibers.
• Viscose: Viscose requires more delicate care compared to Lycra. While it can be machine washed, using a gentle cycle and cold water is recommended to prevent shrinkage and maintain its softness. Viscose garments are more susceptible to wrinkling, so it’s best to avoid wringing or twisting them during washing. Air-drying or laying flat is preferable to maintain their shape.

Biodegradability

• Lycra: Lycra is a synthetic fiber derived from petroleum-based materials, and as such, it is not biodegradable. When discarded, Lycra fibers can persist in the environment for a long time, contributing to plastic pollution and posing potential harm to ecosystems.
• Viscose: Viscose, being a semi-synthetic fiber derived from wood pulp, is biodegradable. Under the right conditions, viscose fibers can naturally break down over time, reducing their environmental impact compared to synthetic materials like Lycra.

Production Process

• Lycra: The production process of Lycra involves complex chemical reactions and polymerization of petrochemicals. It is a resource-intensive process that requires non-renewable fossil fuels. The manufacture of Lycra also generates greenhouse gas emissions, contributing to environmental concerns associated with the petroleum industry.
• Viscose: Viscose is produced through a chemical regeneration process, starting with natural wood pulp or cellulose. While the initial sourcing of raw materials is more sustainable, the chemical treatment involved in transforming cellulose into viscose raises environmental concerns related to chemical usage and waste management.

Environmental Impact

• Lycra: Lycra’s environmental impact is generally higher compared to viscose due to its synthetic nature and energy-intensive production process. Its non-biodegradable properties and potential contribution to microplastic pollution further add to environmental concerns.
• Viscose: While viscose has a more favorable biodegradability aspect, it is not entirely exempt from environmental challenges. The chemical regeneration process used to produce viscose can generate harmful pollutants if not managed properly, leading to potential environmental issues.

Freedom of Movement

• Lycra: Lycra’s exceptional stretch and recovery properties provide excellent freedom of movement. Clothing made with Lycra allows for unrestricted mobility, making it a preferred choice for athletic and active wear.
• Viscose: Viscose offers some freedom of movement due to its softness and draping ability. While it doesn’t provide the same level of stretch as Lycra, viscose garments are comfortable and allow for ease of movement in everyday activities.

Lycra Vs Viscose: Comparison Table

Aspect	Lycra	Viscose
Material Type	Synthetic Fiber	Semi-Synthetic Fiber
Source	Petroleum-based	Wood Pulp or Cellulose
Elasticity	Highly Stretchable	Limited Stretch
Primary Use	Blended for Stretch	Standalone Fabric
Comfort	Very Comfortable	Comfortable
Appearance	Smooth, Shiny	Smooth, Silky
Draping Ability	Minimal Drape	Excellent Drape
Breathability	Good	Good
Wrinkle Resistance	Wrinkle-Resistant	Prone to Wrinkling
Strength when Wet	Maintains Strength	Loses Strength
Durability	Durable	Moderate Durability
Cost	Relatively Expensive	Affordable
Common Uses	Sportswear, Activewear	Dresses, Shirts, Skirts
Blending with Others	Common	Not Commonly Blended
Dye Absorption	Limited Absorption	Vibrant Colors
Care Instructions	Easy to Care For	Requires Delicate Washing
Biodegradability	Not Biodegradable	Biodegradable
Production Process	Synthetic Chemicals	Chemical Regeneration
Environmental Impact	Potentially Harmful	Less Impactful
Freedom of Movement	Provides Flexibility	Offers Some Flexibility

Frequently Asked Questions

To Recap

The comparison between Lycra and Viscose reveals two distinct fibers, each with its strengths and applications in the world of textiles.

Lycra’s outstanding stretch and recovery properties make it a staple in activewear and form-fitting clothing, ensuring flexibility and comfort during physical activities.

On the other hand, Viscose’s softness, draping ability, and biodegradability make it a preferred choice for creating elegant and flowy garments.

The decision between the two depends on the desired properties, environmental considerations, and the specific needs of the garments.Both fibers contribute to the diverse and dynamic landscape of modern fashion and clothing design.