I do like rayon better than most other synthetic fibers (although as you said it is not truly synthetic). Rayon has come a long way in the last 20 years. I remember avoiding rayon for a long time because it was so wrinkly, and just not a nice fabrication.

I am surprised to see this post as I avoid rayon garments, including knits. I have tried several in the last few years, but have always been extremely disappointed with how they have laundered regardless of the method of cleaning.

I wear mostly silk tops similiar to the ones pictured and I find they wear much better and can be successfully hand laundered.

I agree that cotton knits stretch out of shape, but I don’t think the last few cotton/rayon tees I have purchased have been any better.

I second that Angie. I was a big cotton and natural fabric advocate until I came across a few tops in this fabric. The fact that they don’t require ironing is a huge plus in my working mother wardrobe. Looking for more! Thank you for the suggestions.

CS, I remember woven rayon tops being awfully wrinkly too. Got to love fabric technology.

Lissie, that’s rotten luck. I wonder if it was the cotton component in the rayon blend that caused the problem? Until now, I have never had a problem with a rayon-rich item of clothing. I guess there could be a first time!

LOP, good point. Rayon-rich garments drape so well that the wrinkles usually fall straight out.

No clinging to the muffin top, eh? Me likey this idea! Modal is another type of rayon, right? I remember trying something on with modal in it, thinking it would be the best thing ever if they had my size.

I’m really pleased you posted about this. I tend to buy only natural fibres and am glad to know that there’s something out there that will feel good as well as looking good!

Angie, I have been unhappy with both blends and all rayon. I am still deeply unhappy that Ann Taylor has gone to carring mostly rayon blend tees. I purchased their pima cotton ones for years and they were fantastic. The blends from there and other places generally do wrinkle when folded, stretch when hung up and require steaming right before wearing for look nice. They do not wrinkle badly when wearing.

I have had slightly better luck with knits that are more like the ones posted, but not good enough luck to buy one when I can find a similar silk option.

I had no idea I should be looking for rayon. For some reason I had it in my head that rayon doesn’t last or wash well. It must be that fabric technology again. I’ll have to do a search on it and see if 35 years ago it was considered bad.
Thanks so much Angie for straightening me out on this.

Rayon rocks, in tops and also in wrap dresses!I find it very comfortable, and very much agree with the added benefit that the garments stay in nice shape for much longer than with cotton.

I don’t have any rayon in my wardrobe right now, but I’ve had plenty of rayon tops in the past, and loved them for the reasons you mention- very stable, wash and wear well, and are long-lasting.

rae- Modal isn’t exactly a type of rayon, but they are both man-made fabrics made from cellulose (natural) fibres (bamboo fabrics and brand names like Tencel are also in this group). I love Modal- I have a couple soft knit tops made from it which are really comfy!

Okay, not only am I colour inept but now I feel fabrication inept. I don’t think I have seen anything rayon whilst shopping (probably not looking properly).

I tend to stick to natural fibres because my skin is quite sensitive, Angie, do you know if this fabric is good for those with fussy skin?

I love the idea of reducing the size of my ironing pile.

I adore rayon, but am more familiar with it in non-knit format. I’ll have to explore more.

Is modal a cheap version of rayon? The modal tops I own have pilled up so quickly.

Just looking into rayon items – I put it into a search in one of the big department stores in the UK and the first item that came up was viscose. Doing a bit more research (Wikipedia!) – it says that rayon is becoming synonynous with viscose.

Angie – can you clarify? Are you talking about rayon or viscose?

thunalata, I’m not Angie (clearly!) but I have 3 years of textile science courses under my belt, so I can try to help

Viscose was the original name for rayon (also called viscose rayon), but the term is now mainly used for the liquid substance made from cellulose fibres, which is in turn used to make rayon. Some companies still use the term on labels, but they really shouldn’t- it’s outdated and confusing to the consumer. Unfortunately there is a lot of confusion in textile naming!

Ele, now I know why I have been very confused all of these years over rayon and whether it is man made or natural substance, it is both. Thankyou. I will shy away from rayon no longer, in fact I will be looking for it. Thanks to Angie too, for bringing all of this to our attention.
One question, can rayon be knit and woven?

Thanks Angie for bringing this up!! Sounds like a great travel product and I appreciate hearing about everyone’s experience.

Pat

I have a few rayon/spandex tops and they pilled after a couple of wears! They’re by Cameo Appearance (sold at Nordstrom) and definitely way overpriced… they looked well worn after 3 wears. I have no idea why this happened, but it’s frustrating. I do like the drape and fit, though.

I couldn’t agree more with you Angie! I have discovered this on my own a couple of years ago and most of my knitted tops.wrap dresses are made of rayon. It is superb compared to cotton blends, although the quality can very. I have a lot of knitted rayon pieces, and a couple of woven ones too. I also like it’s cousins, modal and lyocell.

Having said that, I still like silk jersey more. But it so much more expensive and so difficult do find. It seems that not many brands ( other than DVF) use it regularly.

Ele – that’s so helpful – thank you!

Rayon always looks so good in the store, but I just can’t figure out how to wash it without ruining it. Would someone be kind enough to tell me how to wash it properly?

Thanks for stepping in, Ele. You are fab.

Lissie, I too am a silk fan and wear woven silk blend tops most of the time.

Oh Marianna, that’s too bad. You should take those tops back to Nordstrom this instant. I would NOT settle for that.

Julie, I have very sensitive and eczema-prone skin. Rayon has been no problem at all.

Sandy, rayon is found both in knitted and woven fabrics.

Jackie, I use the handwash setting on my washing machine and dry the items over a clothes rack.

I couldn’t agree more. When I tried on the INC ponte pants everyone was raving about, I was horrified by how they looked and put them back on the rack immediately. I was then informed that there were two versions of the same pants: one in cotton and one in rayon. The cotton ones were atrocious, clinging to every inch of my legs and sagging in weird places (clinging and sagging at the same time defies physics but apparently not fashion). I went back and tried on the rayon pants and they were a thousand times better.

Rayon, tencel, modal, viscose, etc all that stuff are in reality just proprietary names for textiles made from cellulose – and they can be mixed with all kinds of other fibres such as cotton, spandex, elastic, wool, silk, you name it. In the industry, there’s all kinds of ways to describe the fabric or to even Not describe it. So as the consumer, you have to check it, feel it, try it, etc. Even from one manufacture to another, one designer to another. There’s not all hard and fast rules on how the fabrications have to be disclosed. Not bad or good, just is.
Personally, I love cellulose based fabrics, a little spandex and cotton mixed in – ironing free and a little stretchy – oooh heaven! I’ve had some modal pjs for over a year, they have been a delight, wash well, comfortable, practically weightless, and have kept their color and shape.

These look lovely, especially with the elbow sleeve length that I looked so hard for last summer. I especially like the cowl neckline for my boney chest, but it’s not a good color for me if it’s hot pink.

I sew and I’d love to work with rayon. Unfortunately, my sewing machine refuses. Tsk tsk.