How to Choose Plant viscose That Actually Fit (Aussie guide)

As a designer who’s tested fabrics in Brisbane’s 80% humidity, I swear by bamboo viscose blends with 15% spandex for hot yoga. The magic happens at 180-200 GSM weight – thick enough to prevent see-through during downward dog, yet breathable enough for 40-degree studios.

My top picks from Australian brands:

• Nimble Activewear’s MoveLite – their bamboo viscose leggings have never rolled down on me during inversions
• Dharma Bums’ Lotus Collection – the 4-way stretch prevents that dreaded fabric bunching behind knees
• Lorna Jane’s LJ Excel™ Viscose – specifically engineered for Queensland’s climate with moisture-wicking properties

Pro tip: Look for flatlock seams and a 3.5cm waistband – game changers for preventing roll-down during core work. Check out our explore options for Australian women.

In my experience fitting thousands of Aussie women, the see-through issue comes down to three factors: fabric density, stretch recovery, and color choice. For plant viscose, you need minimum 220 GSM and a double-knit construction.

Here’s my foolproof testing method:

• Hold the fabric up to sunlight – you shouldn’t see your hand clearly through it
• Do the “bend test” – squat in front of a mirror under bright light
• Check the inside – quality plant viscose has a brushed, almost suede-like finish

My go-to brands for squat-proof: Active Truth’s Power Leggings (size up one size for viscose), The Upside’s Vita Viscose in darker colors, and Running Bare’s High Performance range which uses a revolutionary viscose-nylon blend.

This drives me crazy as a designer! Pilling in plant viscose usually happens from friction against rough surfaces and incorrect washing. The fibres are naturally smooth, so when they break, they form those annoying little balls. Check out our plant viscose in Australia for Australian women.

Prevention is everything:

• Wash inside-out on cold, gentle cycle with plant-based detergent
• Never use fabric softener – it breaks down the viscose fibres
• Air-dry flat in shade (Australian sun is too harsh for direct drying)
• Turn leggings inside-out before wearing to reduce thigh friction

If pilling has started, use a fabric shaver gently – I’ve saved $200 leggings this way. For future purchases, look for enzyme-washed viscose from brands like Dk Active or D+K – they’ve pre-treated the fibres to resist pilling.

After years of testing delivery times across Australia, here are my reliable sources for plant viscose activewear:

• Nimble Activewear (Sydney-based) – express shipping to metro areas in 1-2 days, free over $150
• Dharma Bums – Melbourne warehouse, same-day dispatch for orders before 2pm AEST
• The Iconic – massive plant viscose selection, 3-hour delivery in Sydney/Melbourne metro
• Stylerunner – stocks international brands like Alo Yoga’s Airlift Viscose with 2-day express

For regional areas, Active Truth (Brisbane) and Running Bare offer free express shipping over $100. Pro tip: sign up for newsletters – plant viscose pieces often go on sale during end-of-season clearances (February and August are goldmines).