Rayon or Cotton select right fabric for you

Here’s everything you need to know about Rayon and Cotton to help you choose the right fabric for yourself. 

Rayon Fabric:

Rayon fabric is a semi-synthetic fabric. It is a term used for regenerated plant fibers and comes in a variety of different types. Tencel, Viscose, and eco-friendly modal are among the few different types of rayon available in the market. Viscose and Lyocell can also be made using agricultural waste and recycled textiles. Each of them is rayon but named differently based on the processes used to create the fibers. 

Cotton Fabric:

Cotton fabric is a natural fabric derived from the seed of a cotton plant. It is natural, however, don't always confuse natural being sustainable. Regular cotton is harmful to the environment and causes immense loss of water and energy to produce even a yard of it. Organic cotton is getting popular in the eco-friendly world and has opened a new market for people interested in sustainability. 

The question that arises is: What is better? Rayon or Cotton. 

Let’s compare the performance and fabric characteristics of rayon and cotton on 4 parameters:

1. Durability

Fabric breaks down and creates surface abrasion on fabric. This is usually the case where the fabric gets rubbed together repeatedly. For instance fabric under armpits and between two legs. You must have seen your pants losing fibers and getting an uneven surface in these areas after washes. This is called surface abrasion. 

Cotton has better resistance and durability to friction than rayon. However, both stand on par with each other with very little difference. However, the quality of the fabric you choose would make a whole new level of difference. Organic cotton, viscose rayon, and lyocell rayon are better durable than other forms of rayon and cotton. 

Cotton and rayon are equally strong fabrics. However, cotton is stronger when wet while rayon is weak when wet. Hence, making cotton more suited than rayon for athleisure wear.  

2. Comfort

Rayon has more fluidity than cotton. It is therefore flexible and more suited for garments that require free fall or drape. Cotton on the other hand with its crisp finish would make a perfect choice for shirts and pants. 

Considering the stretch, cotton is the least stretchable while rayon has a beautiful stretch to it. Hence rayon would be more suited for feminine flowy or breezy garments while cotton would be more suited for well-structured garments. 

Lastly, rayon is more absorbent than cotton. An absorbent fabric is perfect for summers when you want to feel cool and not clammed. Rayon is hence a little more breathable than cotton. However, both make for a good choice of fabric for summer. 

3. Appearance

Cotton and rayon both are woven fabrics. Hence, they will wrinkle super fast. You might want to avoid packing cotton and rayon clothes for the vacay. Or simply carry a steam portable iron for a quick wrinkle-free look. 

Cotton and Rayon both are absorbent fabrics. Hence, they won’t pill and create fuzzy balls after washing. 

You can pick good quality sustainable rayon and cotton for a long shelf life of garments in your wardrobe. 

4. Home care

Both rayon and cotton can be easily washed at home in a standard wash cycle. They don’t need to be dry cleaned and can be ironed at home without damaging the fabric. 

Rayon holds better in sunlight. While cotton will fade eventually with constant exposure to UV rays. 

Also, Read 6 Amazing Brasso Sarees for Your Festive Wardrobe

Summing up, rayon and cotton both make for a brilliant fabric choice in summer. They are near similar fabrics with similar properties. Rayon is comparatively more fashionable and can be availed in varieties of prints and colors. Cotton on the other hand is a more sophisticated fabric suited for formal events.

Concluding, do check our rayon kurti collection at Subhash Sarees. We have a curated collection of rayon kurtis for women. These are rayon long kurti most suited for formal wear. It’s vibrant and gorgeous. It’s a perfect summer companion and will keep you super stylish.