Our Sustainable Fabric & How To Care For It

If you have ever worn a soft dress, top or pair of lounge pants and wondered what gives the fabric its smooth feel and easy drape, there is a good chance rayon was involved.

At Chambres, fabric matters because clothing is not only about how it looks. It also needs to feel comfortable when you sit, move, travel, work from home or spend a slow morning doing very little.

Our garments use a blend of 93% Superfine® rayon and 7% elastane. The rayon gives the fabric its softness and fluid feel, while the elastane adds stretch and helps the garment move with the body.

But what is rayon material, how does it compare with viscose, and how should you look after it? Here is what is useful to know.

What Is Rayon Material?

Rayon is a fibre made from cellulose, usually sourced from wood.

The starting material comes from a natural source, but the cellulose has to go through a manufacturing process before it becomes a fibre that can be spun into fabric. For that reason, rayon is usually described as a regenerated cellulose fibrerather than a fully natural fibre such as cotton or linen.

The result is a fabric that is often soft, smooth and comfortable against the skin.

Different forms of rayon can feel different depending on how they are produced and how the fabric is knitted or woven. This is why two garments labelled as rayon can still have a very different weight, stretch or texture.

For Chambres, the important part is how the fabric feels when it is actually worn. We use Superfine® rayon because it works well for clothing that needs to feel soft while still moving easily with the body.

Rayon and Viscose: Are They the Same?

The terms rayon and viscose are often used as if they mean exactly the same thing, which can make fabric labels confusing.

Rayon is the broader family of regenerated cellulose fibres. Viscose is one of the most common types of rayon and refers to a particular way of turning cellulose into fibre.

So when people compare viscose vs rayon, they are often comparing two terms that are closely related rather than two completely different fabrics.

In everyday clothing, you may see labels using either word depending on the manufacturer, country or production method.

For the person wearing the garment, the more useful questions are usually:

• How soft is the fabric?
• Does it breathe well?
• Does it stretch?
• How does it feel after several hours of wear?
• How should it be washed?

Those details often tell you more than the fibre name on its own.

Is Viscose Breathable?

A common question is: is viscose breathable?

In general, viscose and rayon fabrics are known for feeling light and comfortable against the skin. Their cellulose-based fibres can make them pleasant to wear when you do not want clothing to feel heavy or stiff.

Breathability also depends on the construction of the fabric. A thick, tightly made fabric will behave differently from a lighter knit, even when both contain rayon.

This is one of the reasons we chose rayon for Chambres nightwear and loungewear. The fabric has a soft feel and sits lightly against the body, which works well for clothes intended to be worn for long periods.

It can move from bedtime to breakfast, from home to travel, or from a relaxed afternoon to dinner without feeling like traditional sleepwear.

Why Chambres Uses Rayon Fabric With Elastane

Pure rayon can feel beautifully soft, but we also wanted our clothes to move comfortably.

That is where elastane comes in.

Chambres fabric contains:

93% Superfine® rayon
7% elastane

The rayon fabric provides the soft feel and flowing drape. The elastane gives the material stretch.

That small amount of elastane makes a noticeable difference in clothing that is designed for everyday movement. Pants can flex when you sit. Tops do not feel rigid. Dresses can follow the body without needing to be tight.

A rayon elastane fabric also works particularly well for pieces that sit somewhere between nightwear, loungewear and everyday clothing.

We do not think you should need completely separate wardrobes for resting at home and stepping outside. Comfort can still look put together.

That idea runs through our women's loungewear and nightwear.

Is Rayon Good for Nightwear and Loungewear?

For us, yes.

Good nightwear should not feel restrictive. Good loungewear should be comfortable enough to spend hours in without looking like something you would only wear to bed.

Rayon works well for both because of its soft feel and natural-looking drape.

It is especially useful for garments such as:

• lounge pants
• soft tops
• nightdresses
• camisoles
• kimonos
• flowing dresses

These pieces need enough movement to feel relaxed, but they should still keep their shape and fall well on the body.

That balance between comfort and appearance is one of the main reasons rayon clothing became such an important part of Chambres.

How to Wash Rayon

Knowing how to wash rayon helps keep the fabric soft and reduces unnecessary wear.

Always start by checking the care label on the individual garment, because different rayon fabrics can have different washing requirements.

For Chambres garments, gentle care is best.

Wash at a Low Temperature

Use a gentle wash at around 30°C.

Very hot water is not necessary and can be harder on the fibres.

A mild detergent is usually enough for everyday washing. Avoid using more detergent than needed, as residue can stay in the fabric.

Use a Gentle Cycle

Rayon can be more delicate when wet, so a gentle machine cycle is a better choice than an aggressive wash.

If you are washing a delicate garment or only a few pieces, hand washing can also be an option when the care label allows it.

Avoid Bleach

Bleach can damage the fibres and affect the colour of the garment.

For stains, deal with the affected area gently rather than using harsh chemicals on the whole piece.

How to Dry Rayon Clothing

Air drying is the safest option for most rayon clothing.

Avoid very high heat, especially in a tumble dryer, because heat can affect both the rayon and the elastane in the fabric.

After washing, reshape the garment gently and allow it to dry naturally.

Do not aggressively twist or wring wet rayon. The fibres are more vulnerable when wet, so gentle handling helps the garment keep its shape.

Does Rayon Shrink?

Rayon can shrink if it is exposed to high temperatures or washed incorrectly.

That does not mean rayon clothing is difficult to own. It simply means following the care instructions matters.

Cool or low-temperature washing and avoiding excessive dryer heat are the easiest ways to reduce the risk.

If you are unsure, treat the garment gently. It is usually better to use a cooler wash than a hotter one.

Does Rayon Wrinkle?

Rayon can wrinkle, particularly after washing or when packed tightly in a suitcase.

Many wrinkles will soften as the garment hangs, and light steaming can help.

If ironing is needed, follow the temperature instructions on the care label and avoid excessive heat.

For travel, hanging the garment as soon as you arrive can often be enough to let lighter creases fall naturally.

Rayon Fabric Care: A Few Simple Habits

Good rayon fabric care does not need to be complicated.

A few basic habits make the biggest difference:

• wash at a low temperature
• use a gentle cycle
• avoid bleach
• avoid excessive heat
• air dry when possible
• steam or iron carefully
• store garments without crushing them tightly

Washing clothes less often when they are not actually dirty can also help them last longer.

Sometimes airing a garment is enough.

Is Rayon Sustainable?

The answer is more complicated than simply saying yes or no.

Rayon starts with cellulose from wood, but the environmental impact depends on where that wood comes from and how the fibre is produced.

That means sustainable rayon is not simply about the word "rayon" on a label. Responsible sourcing, manufacturing methods and certification all matter.

This is why we prefer to talk about specific information rather than making broad claims about a fabric being completely sustainable.

The Superfine® rayon used by Chambres is connected to recognised sourcing and textile standards, including FSC® and OEKO-TEX® certification.

These types of standards help provide more information about sourcing and substances used in textile production.

It is also worth remembering that our final fabric is a blend. It contains 7% elastane, so we would not describe the finished garment as a completely natural or fully biodegradable product.

Clear information is more useful than making a fabric sound perfect.

Why Fabric Matters to Chambres

We started with a simple question: how should clothing feel when you actually live in it?

Softness matters. Stretch matters. Breathability matters. So does being able to sit down, walk, sleep, travel and move without constantly adjusting what you are wearing.

That is why we use a Superfine® rayon and elastane blend across many Chambres pieces.

It gives our dresses, pants, tops and kimonos and robes the soft, flowing feel that has become part of the Chambres style.

There are many types of rayon material, and no single fabric is right for every garment. For us, this particular blend works because it supports the way we want our clothes to be worn: comfortably, often and in real life.

And with simple care, it can stay that way for a long time.