Viscose is a semi-synthetic type of rayon fabric made from wood pulp that is used as a silk substitute, as it has a similar drape and smooth feel to the luxury material. The term “viscose” refers specifically to the solution of wood pulp that is turned into the fabric. Viscose was first produced in 1883 as a cheaper, artificial silk.

Viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric commonly used as a substitute for silk. It was developed in the late 19th century after a silkworm blight made natural silk—which was already very expensive—almost completely unaffordable. It became hugely popular because of the way it draped on the body.

Viscose fabric is the type of cloth based on artificially obtained fibres of cellulose origin. Depending on the technology it has been treated with, this fabric can be similar to silk, wool, cotton or linen. Over more than one hundred years since its invention, viscose has been used for fashion clothing, home textile, footwear, and even car tires.

Originally marketed in the late 1800s as an artificial silk, viscose is a semi-synthetic fabric, meaning it’s made from a mixture of synthetic and natural materials. The latter of these is the pulp from a tree, which is turned into a viscous material during the production process, hence the name.

Viscose is a chemically produced fiber from the natural substance cellulose. Viscose is also known as "rayon" and is used in the fashion industry as artificial silk. Viscose is a versatile fabric that can be used to make a variety of clothing items, including dresses, blouses, and skirts.