Lyocell and viscose are two of the most common fibres in a modern wardrobe, and they are easy to confuse. Both are soft, both drape beautifully, and both appear on the care labels of dresses, shirts and tailoring. Yet they are made in different ways and behave differently once they are in your hands. If you have ever wondered what separates the two, and which one suits the piece you are about to buy, here is a clear guide.
A shared starting point: wood, not cotton or plastic
The first thing to understand is that lyocell and viscose belong to the same family. Both are regenerated cellulosic fibres, which means they are made from cellulose drawn from wood pulp rather than grown like cotton or produced from petroleum like polyester. The wood is broken down into a pulp, dissolved into a thick liquid, then pushed through fine openings and set into long filaments that are spun into yarn.
Because they share this origin, lyocell and viscose feel related. Both are breathable, both take colour and print well, and both begin life as a renewable, wood-based raw material. The differences come from how that wood pulp is turned into fibre, and that single step shapes everything from durability to environmental footprint.
How they are made, and why it matters
Viscose is the older of the two processes. It relies on a series of chemical baths to dissolve and regenerate the cellulose. The traditional viscose process produces a wonderfully fluid fibre, but it is chemically intensive, and the way those chemicals are managed varies a great deal between producers. This is why the source matters. The viscose we use at Lis Bonne Atelier is LENZING™ ECOVERO™ branded viscose, which is certified with the EU Ecolabel and made from wood from controlled sources. Choosing a certified viscose is how a brand can be specific about its claims rather than leaning on a vague promise.
Lyocell is the newer generation. It is produced in a closed-loop system, where the solvent used to dissolve the wood pulp is captured and reused rather than released. TENCEL™ Lyocell, the version we work with, is made by Lenzing using this recovery process and wood from certified and controlled sources. The closed loop is the headline difference between lyocell and conventional viscose, and it is the reason lyocell is often described as the more resource-efficient of the two cellulosics.
How they feel and wear
On the body, the two fibres have distinct personalities. Viscose is exceptionally soft and fluid. It carries a natural sheen, drapes close to the body and moves as you move, which makes it a favourite for flowing dresses, wide trousers and lightweight scarves. The trade-off is that viscose is weaker when wet and creases more readily, so it rewards a little care.
Lyocell is smooth and cool to the touch, with a slightly more structured drape. It is notably strong, including when wet, which makes it durable and well suited to pieces you want to keep for years. It handles moisture well and resists wrinkling better than viscose, so it tends to look composed even after a long day. If viscose is about fluid softness, lyocell is about quiet resilience.
Caring for each fibre
Both fibres prefer a gentle approach. Viscose is happiest hand washed or on a cool, gentle machine cycle, then reshaped while damp and dried flat away from direct heat. Many viscose pieces can also be dry cleaned if you prefer. Lyocell is a little more robust but still appreciates cool, gentle washing, and structured lyocell garments such as tailoring or outerwear are often best dry cleaned to protect their shape. As always, the care label on the individual garment has the final word.
Which one should you choose?
There is no single winner, because the right fibre depends on the piece and how you plan to wear it. Reach for viscose when you want softness, movement and a fluid silhouette. Our SS26 print runs across 100% ECOVERO™ viscose, including The Statement Dress and the wide-leg Printed Trousers, where the fluid drape lets the hand-painted artwork move. That same softness gives The Flowy Bermudas their relaxed, tailored ease.
Choose lyocell when you want structure, longevity and a piece that holds its shape. The Lyocell Trenchcoat, cut from 100% Lyocell (TENCEL™), is a good example: the fibre gives the coat a clean, substantial drape while staying breathable and comfortable to wear across seasons.
Understanding the difference between lyocell and viscose makes it easier to read a care label and to picture how a garment will feel before it arrives. Both are considered choices when they come from a certified source, and both have a place in a thoughtful wardrobe.