Viscose Blend Fabric

A blend keeps the best of viscose, its softness and drape, and borrows something it lacks from the second fibre. The composition on each product page tells you what to expect, and the proportions matter: a fabric that's mostly viscose will drape and feel like viscose, while one that's mostly linen will behave more like linen.

Common viscose blends

Linen viscose, also sold as viscose linen, is the largest group here. Linen brings texture and breathability, viscose softens the handle and adds drape, and the mix tends to crease less than pure linen. It's a popular choice for summer dresses, shirts and wide-leg trousers. For pure linen, see our linen fabric collection.

Viscose elastane adds stretch and recovery to woven or knitted viscose, which helps fitted skirts, trousers and dresses keep their shape. For knitted fabrics designed for stretch patterns, see viscose jersey fabric.

Crepe and ponte blends combine viscose with polyester, nylon or elastane. Crepes have a textured surface and a weighty drape for dresses and occasionwear, and ponte is a stable double knit that works for structured jersey dresses, trousers and jackets.

You'll also find smaller numbers of viscose blended with cotton and Tencel, so check the composition on the product page for the exact mix.

Blend or pure viscose?

Pure viscose gives the most fluid drape, while a blend is often the easier fabric to live with. Viscose linen is a good middle ground for summer if pure linen feels too stiff, and a stretch blend makes fitted styles more comfortable to wear. If your pattern names a fibre, match it as closely as you can.

Washing a viscose blend

Care depends on the blend, so always follow the product page and the care label. As a general guide, pre-wash before cutting because viscose can shrink on the first wash, wash cool on a gentle cycle and don't wring it out. Blends with elastane prefer a cool iron and shouldn't be tumble dried on a high heat.