Clothes like Joe Browns, but better fabric

[Advent0range]

Hi, I like a lot of the clothes in the Joe Browns catalogue, but notice lots are 100% viscose. Where else could I look to find clothes that would be a little less....sweaty....in warm weather?

It depends on the kind of thing that catches your eye, plus your budget...

I quite like some of the Joe Browns stuff, but am also not a fan of the cheap feel/finish.

Pink City Prints and Pink Lemons are both worth a look (usual default is cotton fabric).

Boden and Monsoon are also worth trying (but beware of Monsoon in particular, their fabrics aren't as good as they used to be).

What’s wrong with viscose? It’s totally natural and lighter than cotton. I look for that material in the summer. It’s the only thing I can stand to wear.

Does it breathe the same way cotton does?

I’m not sure but I think it’s better if you want to keep cool. It’s lighter and floaty. It shrinks in the tumble dryer though!

Independent boutiques in your nearest large town if you have any.
Nobodys Child? pricier

Why are you putting viscose in the tumble dryer? The only things I put in a tumble dryer are sheets and towels. Everything else is put on a clothes horse or clothes line

I posted this on the thread about a dress from Fat Face. Two (of the many things) which have surprised me on MN are the ideas some posters have that everything needs to be washed after every wear and everything goes into a washing machine at a full spin.

I wash cotton dresses and some viscose dresses at 30° or cold and spin at the lowest setting , 600. Some viscose and silk I hand wash and use only a brief spin at lowest setting.

Real wool for example needs very little washing. The upmarket brands like &Daughter and the genuine Scottish manufacturers recommend washing no than once or twice a year.

Here's some information about breathability of fabrics. From an environmental point of view viscose from fast growing plants which can be grown on poor quality soil is better than cotton.
Breathability of fabrics

@IHaveAlwaysLivedintheCastle I agree that cotton and viscose shouldn't be tumble dried. No wonder it shrinks! I wash mine after most wears though as I tend to get sweaty.

Ok, so viscose might not be the sweaty fabric I am imagining. I'm still a bit wary of paying for it before I can touch the fabric. First poster, thank you for the ideas, I've never heard of the first two.
Good to know viscose might be environmentally friendly compared to cotton too.

Thank you all

Viscose, which includes Tencel and Lyocell is as breathable as cotton. Viscose, like cotton and silk comes in various grades of quality but the Tencel brand for example has a lovely siky feel to it, drapes beautifully and is far superior to many cottons and cheap silk.

It's not an objectively bad fabric, but may be a subjectively bad one. I don't like the way it feels on my skin.

I usually find viscose is too warm - warmer than a similar weight cotton shirt, but having said that, one of my favourite dresses is a viscose dress from Sainsbury's!

I find Im wearing a lot more viscose, it drapes really well, feels soft and is plant based

I was in a charity shop today and came across a very old Laura Ashley jumper, and I seriously thought it was a silk blend - viscose Unfortunately it swamped me else Id have had it

Well obvs as the op says it makes her sweaty. Me too I get a sweaty back and neck when wearing anything Viscose. I don't care how many mumsnetters say it is breathable etc etc it makes me sweat like a P.I.G.

I won't buy anything made of viscose, I don't like the feel of it. Tencel and Lyocell have a good look but I don't like the feel of them.

Viscose isn't like polyester so it's not sweaty

I love my viscose clothes especially in the summer

Very floaty and cooling

I prefer viscose to cotton or linen on a hot day

What better fabric are you looking for OP?

The options are cotton, linen, silk or viscose. There's plenty of not very nice cotton, linen and silk available.