By: Daisy Hemmen
If you’re committed to lowering your environmental footprint, you’ve probably come across bamboo viscose as a recommended natural fabric for your clothing and home. But is viscose a good material in terms of comfort, care, and wear?
In short: absolutely, it can be.
That said, you may be wondering, is viscose sustainable? Viscose rayon fabric quality and eco-friendliness can vary depending on the practices of its creators and the source viscose material used. From responsible crafters, viscose rayon can be:
- Comfortable and easy to wear both in its pure form and in blended fabrics
- Simple to care for and long-lasting
- A sustainably created, earth-loving material
Let’s take a closer look at the properties of viscose fiber and when to choose it.
What is viscose?
Viscose fiber is a semi-synthetic material. It combines natural fibers with a careful chemical treatment that breaks down proteins into a new structure that can be spun and woven into viscose blend fabric. It’s also known as the most common type of rayon fiber.
There are a few environmental impact concerns with the creation of viscose fibers that make it a must to know you’re getting your clothing or synthetic fabric from a reputable source:
-
Tree and plant sustainability – The natural fibers used in the production process to create a viscose blend can be almost any plant or tree material, including those from protected forest regions.
- Chemical process – The chemicals used in the production process to transform wood pulp and plant pulp to viscose material need to be handled with care. Responsible creators ensure no solvents are leaving their system to impact water supplies.
A popular option today is bamboo viscose fabric. You may be wondering what is bamboo viscose, put simply, viscose clothing uses bamboo as the natural fiber. Boody Eco Wear sources viscose sustainably to ensure every item of clothing can be worn like an eco-badge of honor.
What is viscose used for?
You can find viscose in both fashion and home textiles at various weights. It’s a versatile viscose garment fabric in part because it combines well with others and can be used in blends with both natural and synthetic fabrics.
Viscose natural fabric is a great choice for:
- Sustainable Fashion that includes shirts, blouses, and dresses
- Intimates, sustainable underwear, and activewear (in viscose garment fabric blends)
- Drapery, sheets, and table linens
- Hygiene products like beauty masks, surgical dressings, baby wipes
Often you’ll find viscose used in products where softness on the skin is a high priority.
Features of viscose
Viscose natural fiber has a lot going for it, from texture to color to breathability. Its characteristics include:
- Texture and finish – Oh so soft, like a baby’s chubby cheeks! Viscose can come in a silky or matte finish, but it’s smooth and soft to the touch.
- Drape and lack of cling – Lightweight viscose is popular in sustainable clothing that depends on a beautiful drape. It falls smoothly and softly, and unlike many synthetics, it is very resistant to static cling.
- Shape and versatility – Viscose can be blended with both synthetic and natural fabrics, retaining its shape while being able to provide stretch with more elastic materials in the mix.
- Breathability and moisture-wicking – This airy fabric absorbs water and sweat without trapping moisture or body heat, helping the wearer remain comfortable and dry.
- Color – Viscose takes to dyes beautifully, resulting in rich, deep color options. It’s dye-fast, retaining color without fading even after a lot of wear and washing.
- Affordability – With an established fabrication process and flexibility in source materials, viscose is often significantly more affordable than silks or cottons.
How to care for viscose
Due to the variance of both the source fibers and the creation process, there may be some differences in how to care for your fabrics. Ever asked yourself, does viscose shrink? Check tags and follow care instructions specific to each product.
Most viscose can be:
- Washed – Wash gently with a mild detergent, either by hand or on a delicates or gentle machine cycle.
- Dried – Ideally, drape or lay flat to air dry in a shaded location, or use a low-heat gentle setting on a dryer.
- Ironed – Use a low setting or select “rayon” on your iron.
Avoid dry cleaning viscose fabrics, as the chemicals can break down or damage its synthetic fibers.
Where did bamboo viscose come from?
The viscose process began in response to a silk shortage after a silkworm blight in the late 19th century.1 Using mulberry leaves (a popular dinner for silkworms) as the source natural material, Count Hilaire de Chardonnet experimented with finding the right chemical treatment to produce long, silky fibers that could be spun into material.2 Viscose fabric was lauded as an amazing silk replacement and renamed rayon.
At this point you are probably questioning is viscose biodegradable? Today, any wood or plant pulp can be used as source material, but about 30% of the rayon and viscose materials used in the fashion industry is sourced from endangered forests.3
Bamboo fabrics became popular in Western markets in the early 2000s, both for their comfort and quality but also due to growing eco-consciousness among consumers. Unlike trees, bamboo benefits are:
- Is a fast-growing grass that uses little water
- Requires no pesticides or fertilizers
- Is self-generating (plant it once and you’re done)
Combining a sustainable source material with a proven process for creating high-quality fabric has made bamboo viscose a sought-after choice for bamboo shirts, underwear, and more.
Boody Eco Wear: Bamboo viscose done right
Our mission at Boody is to create sustainable clothing, both in terms of ecological sustainability and lasting fashion. Our intimates, loungewear, and activewear collections for women, men, and babies are beautifully comfortable and durable as well as just plain beautiful.
Ethical practices at Boody include transparency. You can find out more about our sustainability, living wage, process, and certifications on our website.
While you’re there, take a look at the cross-section of wearable luxury, sustainable fashion, and soft-to-the-touch clothing that is Boody.
About the Author:
Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community.
Sources:
- Treehugger. What Is Viscose? https://www.treehugger.com/what-is-viscose-fabric-5070642
- McGill Office for Science and Society (OSS). What was meant by “Chardonnet Silk?” https://www.mcgill.ca/oss/article/history-you-asked/what-was-meant-chardonnet-silk
- Fibre2Fashion. Fashionable fabrics leading to deforestation. https://www.fibre2fashion.com/industry-article/7365/fashionable-fabrics-leading-to-deforestation
- Fabrics Galore. Why Should You Use Viscose Fabric for Dressmaking? https://www.fabricsgalore.co.uk/blogs/news/why-should-you-use-viscose-as-a-dressmaking-fabric
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Wearing underwear is part of your everyday routine. You hop out of the shower and pull on your panties, bra, socks, and outfit; usually without overthinking the finer details. You might notice a stray thread on your favorite sweater, or a little fluff on your black pants. But what about the finer details of your undergarments? Chances are, you don’t pay much attention to them. You wear them every day - so no surprises, right? Maybe not. Have you ever wondered what the little pocket piece piece inside your panties is for? It’s a small detail many people overlook, which is why questions like “why do women’s panties have a pocket?” come up so often. That small piece of fabric is called a gusset and it’s there to keep your intimate area comfortable and protected.1 Let’s explore what a gusset does and why it’s an important feature in underwear. Why Gussets Exist in Women’s Undergarments (and What That Little “Pocket” Really Does) Now that we’ve drawn your attention there, you may be thinking about that small square of fabric at the bottom of your panties.2 It’s easy to wonder what the pocket in women’s underwear is used for when you first notice it, but this tiny panel plays a big role in comfort and hygiene. Without a proper gusset - especially in underwear made from synthetic materials - your underwear could be far less comfortable. In fact, the state of the gusset often indicates when it’s time to replace underwear. You don’t only find gussets in panties. This extra piece of fabric is also common in: Tights Pantyhose Leggings Workout pants and shorts In all of these garments, the gusset helps keep your genitals protected and reduces the risk of irritation or infection. Protection & Hygiene: The Real Function Behind the Pocket-like Gusset So… what is the pocket in panties for? The main answer is protection. Many undergarments are made with fabrics that feel soft but aren’t breathable or moisture-wicking. That’s why the gusset is generally made from a soft, breathable, moisture-wicking fabric, often similar to the bamboo-viscose blend used in many comfy underwear designs. This is ultimately the reason why panties have a pocket built into the design. Your body naturally produces moisture in the form of vaginal discharge, - this is normal and healthy.3 However, when you wear underwear that traps moisture and doesn’t allow airflow, you may be increasing the risk of: Yeast infections Urinary tract infections (UTIs) Bacterial vaginosis A well-designed gusset helps keep the genital area dry, ventilated, and hygienic. That said, choosing underwear with the right fabric isn’t enough - how you wash your underwear, especially around the gusset area, also matters for maintaining hygiene. You can read more about proper care in our guide on how to wash underwear. Comfort & Fit: How the Gusset Works Like a Soft Pocket Layer Aside from hygiene, comfort is another major reason why panties have a pocket. Sensitive skin around the vulva can easily be irritated by rough fabrics or seams. If your underwear is made from materials like satin, silk, polyester, lace, nylon, lycra, or spandex, those fabrics can bunch up or chafe - especially without a gusset to provide a soft, protective layer. Without it, the answer to why there is a pocket in panties becomes clear… it acts as a soft barrier against irritating fabrics. Imagine going commando in a pair of jeans: the friction from seams rubbing against skin can be painful. A gusset gives you a soft cushion between your skin and potentially irritating fabric making underwear wearable all day long. For breathable comfort and secure fit, you might also consider underwear crafted from natural fabrics like organic cotton or bamboo viscose and designed to allow airflow around your genitals. Browse some of our options in the women’s underwear collection, or explore specialised designs like period & leak-proof underwear or maternity-friendly underwear. Do All Women’s Undies Have That Pocket-Style Gusset? Here’s What to Know Most do. Because the gusset offers both comfort and protection, it’s rarely left out. You’ll see it across everything from everyday panties to period & leak-proof underwear, where the gusset adds a soft, breathable layer for comfort. As for how the gusset is constructed: often it’s sewn on three sides, creating a pocket-like section that is open on the fourth side. This design choice is less about function and more about efficiency - it’s faster and more cost-effective to sew only three sides. Buying New Underwear? Here’s Why the Pocket-Like Gusset Should Be on Your Checklist Leaving the gusset open isn’t the only cost-cutting shortcut some underwear makers use. Cheap fabrics, poor stitching, rough seams, and uncomfortable adornments also signal lower-quality underwear - which can compromise comfort and hygiene. For best results, choose underwear that: Uses natural, breathable fabrics such as organic cotton or bamboo viscose Fits well around your waist, hips, and legs (not too tight or too loose) Lets your skin and genitals breathe and stay dry Do Men’s Underwear Include a Gusset, Similar to the Pocket in Women’s Panties? Yes! Men’s underwear typically includes a gusset,4 often located around or along the inseams. So the reason as to “why does underwear have a pocket?” Is that the gusset reduces the number of seams that rub against the skin, which decreases chafing and improves overall comfort. Whether you prefer boxers or briefs, the presence of a gusset helps the underwear conform better to the body. You can read more about design differences in our boxers vs briefs guide. The Bottom Line: What That Little ‘Pocket’ in Women’s Underwear Actually Does When someone asks ‘what is the little pocket in women’s underwear for?’ now you know. The gusset provides comfort, moisture-management, and protection for sensitive skin. For optimal comfort and hygiene, choose underwear made from high-quality, breathable, moisture-wickling materials like bamboo or organic cotton. If you’re interested, many of our styles deliver just that. About the Author: Daisy Hemmen is a San Diego State University Fowler College of Business alumni. Based in Encinitas, California, Daisy is a part of the marketing team at Boody North America. She is passionate about learning the ins and outs of living a happy and healthy lifestyle that benefits both people and the planet, and enjoys sharing her bountiful findings with the community. Sources: Health. 6 Underwear Rules Every Woman Should Live By. https://www.health.com/condition/yeast-infection/6-underwear-rules-every-woman-should-live-by Business of Fashion. Gusset. https://www.businessoffashion.com/education/fashion-az/gusset MedlinePlus. Vaginal Itching and Discharge: Adult and Adolescent. https://medlineplus.gov/ency/article/003158.htm Textile School. Anatomy of Men’s Underwear. https://www.textileschool.com/308/anatomy-of-mens-underwear-briefs/#:~:text=In%20men's%20underwear%2C%20the%20gusset,thus%20formed%20%E2%80%93%20fitting%20and%20comfortable
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