Boasting the same comfort attributes as natural fibers, rayon is made from plant material regenerated into fibers. As it is man-made, it is often considered a synthetic. Rayon can imitate the feel and texture of other fabrics, such as silk, and rayon can easily be dyed. It is soft, smooth, absorbent and doesn’t insulate body heat, making it great for hot climates.

Rayon has the lowest elastic recovery of any fabric and loses its appearance retention when wet. The production of rayon keeps improving its qualities; however, it should be laundered with care. While some rayon can be machine-washed, others must be hand-washed or dry-cleaned. Heat burns rayon; it should be line-dried and ironed at a warm setting.