What is polyester viscose?

When you look at the label of a garment, it indicates which fabrics are used and in what percentages. This is important information, since each fabric has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, what is polyester viscose? Today, GENTS explains in detail where this material comes from, why it's called 'polyester viscose' and what else you should know.

When purchasing new clothing, you naturally take a quick look at the specifications. Why do you do that? Among other things, to check the size so you know how the garment in question will fit. Moreover, it always indicates what material the item is made from. But do you actually know what all those terms stand for? Nowadays, for example, polyester viscose is a popular material for clothing. Is that a natural fabric or an artificial variant? GENTS answers all your questions about this material today. Since a number of our garments also consist of polyester viscose (PV), we know exactly what kind of material it is. We're happy to share this knowledge with you!

Polyester viscose as a fabric

Let's get straight to the point. What is polyester viscose? It is a blended weave of synthetic polyester and natural viscose. The name actually already indicates what kind of fabric it is: polyester and viscose, so polyester viscose. To understand what this fabric is, you first need to know what polyester and viscose materials are. Think about the composition, properties and other important information.

Polyester

This material has been used in textiles and other products for many years. Of course, the plastic polyester of the past is not comparable to the polyester now used in clothing. When polyester is used for textile applications, the spun yarns are usually used as an admixture. Polyester is regularly added to clothing that should not wrinkle. Polyester and polyamide fabrics are namely virtually wrinkle-free. In addition, this material retains its colour longer. This means clothing with polyester in it stays looking good longer. Does a garment consist entirely of polyester or another synthetic fabric? Then there's a good chance you'll sweat a lot, because these fabrics breathe poorly or not at all. That's why polyester is often mixed with other materials. Polyester viscose is a good example of that.

Viscose

A viscous, organic liquid – that's viscose in a nutshell. This liquid is extracted from wood or cotton. The extracted pulp then undergoes treatment. The result is the material 'viscose'. The fabric itself is very thin and flexible. This makes clothing made from viscose pleasant to wear, but the risk of tearing is also very high. That's why clothing items usually don't consist solely of viscose. It's more common for this material to be part of a blended weave, such as polyester viscose.

Why polyester viscose?

By mixing polyester with viscose, a fabric is created that has the benefits of both materials. That's why GENTS uses this material for certain garments. An item made of polyester viscose is namely wrinkle-free and colour-fast. On top of that, garments made from this material breathe. This means you sweat less or less heavily in a shirt made of polyester viscose than in a shirt made entirely of synthetic fabrics. It's therefore always a good idea to check the label or specifications of a garment before you buy it. That way you know exactly what you're getting into.

A wolf in sheep's clothing: micro combed yarn

Nowadays it also happens that manufacturers give the material used a 'new' name. This is often a wolf in sheep's clothing. Take micro combed yarn, for example. That sounds promising, but what is micro combed yarn? Actually, it's a hollow term. 'Micro' means small. Furthermore, the definition of 'combed yarn' is simply a 'type of yarn'. This means 'micro combed yarn' actually stands for 'small type of yarn'. That still tells you nothing. Micro combed yarn is therefore not a clear or informative name like polyester viscose.

So what is micro combed yarn? The short answer: plastic. Micro combed yarn is actually a fancy name for 100% synthetic fabrics. For example, 100% polyester. Unlike polyester viscose, this material is very static and breathes poorly. When you're going to a formal occasion and you have to appear in a completely formal suit, it's nice if the fabric breathes a little. Right? That's why GENTS recommends polyester viscose over micro combed yarn. Of course, you're free to form your own opinion about micro combed yarn and polyester viscose!