Bamboo Tops – Why They Hang Better

Short answer: Bamboo viscose hangs better than cotton, because the fibre is heavier and smoother. The fabric falls straight down the body instead of standing away from it, and that is the difference you can see in a top from across a room.

What drape actually is

Drape is the ability of a fabric to hang in soft folds rather than standing stiffly away from the body. It depends on three things: how heavy the thread is, how smooth the fibre is, and how the fabric is knitted. Bamboo viscose scores well on all three.

The weight per thread

Viscose fibres are heavier than cotton fibres of the same thickness, so the fabric pulls itself downwards. A cotton top in the same thin quality stands further away from the body and creates a ridge at the hip. That is the most visible difference between the two materials.

The smooth surface

Bamboo viscose has a smooth fibre surface, and smooth fibres slide past each other instead of catching. That makes the folds soft and rounded rather than sharp, which is why the fabric looks soft even when the top is hanging on a hanger.

The knit matters too

A loosely knitted fabric drapes better than a densely knitted one in the same fibre, but it also turns sheer sooner. There is therefore a point where more drape costs coverage, and most basic tops are knitted right around that point.

What it means under clothing

A fabric that drapes creates no horizontal ridge where the top ends, and that shows most clearly under a thin shirt. Have a look at the bamboo tops for women and hold a top up to the light to see how the edge settles.

What it means over time

A soft fabric does not turn stiff from washing, but it can go slack if it is heated. That is why 30 degrees and no tumble dryer is not only advice about lifespan but also about the top continuing to hang the way it did on the first day.

Where drape is not an advantage

If a garment has to hold a shape, for instance a shoulder line in a blazer, drape is the opposite of what you want. There a firmer fabric is right, and bamboo viscose is then used as the layer underneath rather than as the outer layer.

How to check it in a shop

Hold the fabric over your hand and see whether it settles around your fingers or stands away. It takes two seconds and says more about how the top will look on the body than any description does. The rest of the range sits under bamboo for women. See also bamboo clothing for sensitive skin, washing guide for bamboo clothing and bamboo T-shirt versus cotton T-shirt.

Frequently asked questions

Does bamboo drape better than cotton?

Yes, at the same thickness. The fibre is heavier and smoother, so the fabric hangs down the body instead of standing away from it.

Can a fabric drape too much?

A very soft fabric follows the body closely and therefore shows more. That is an advantage under clothing and a drawback if the top is worn alone and meant to conceal something.