Modal: What Kind of Fabric Is It? 11 Reasons Why It’s Worth Choosing
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Do you love clothes that are exceptionally soft and smooth, feel great against the skin, drape beautifully, breathe well and manage moisture, don’t pill, don’t fade, last a long time, and are easy to care for? Then choose MODAL
This is the first article in a 3-part series about modal.
If you want to better understand this fabric and choose the best option, we recommend reading the following:
MODAL is a premium fiber made from specially processed beechwood cellulose. Thanks to its outstanding softness and feel, it’s often called “artificial silk”. Modal was first developed in Japan in 1951, and became widely popular in Europe from the 1960s, when Lenzing began producing and commercializing it. To this day, modal is considered a more “luxury” fiber—both because of its exceptional quality and softness, and because it is typically more expensive than cotton or viscose.
Modal is most commonly used for lingerie and sleepwear. Modal is also a real “team player”: it’s often blended with cotton or viscose to add extra softness and durability. It can also help stabilize cotton, keeping it from becoming stiff after washing—especially in hard, chalky water.
Today, modal comes in different variations, including micromodal. It’s made from finer fibers, so micromodal garments feel even softer and are often considered even more luxurious than standard modal.
11 reasons to choose modal (and why it often outperforms cotton)
- Stretch & fit. Modal garments are flexible and adapt to the body, making them ideal for comfortable tops, panties, and sleepwear. Even more stretch comes from modal blended with elastane (e.g., 5%).
- Softness.Exceptionally soft and gentle on the skin—no wonder it’s often compared to silk.
- Breathability. Especially in lighter knits, it allows air to pass through comfortably.
- Moisture absorption & distribution. It’s often noted that modal can absorb up to ~50% more moisture than cotton.
- Comfort when sweating more (e.g., during menopause). Modal often manages moisture more effectively (absorbs, spreads, and helps it evaporate), so after sweating episodes the fabric tends to feel less clingy, with a drier/more comfortable sensation than typical cotton sleepwear.
- Durable & long-lasting. A great choice for frequently worn items—especially everyday “base layer” pieces.
- Beautiful drape & a premium look. Modal falls smoothly on the body, doesn’t puff up, and doesn’t form “stiff” creases—so the silhouette looks neat and elegant.
- Less prone to pilling (“fuzzing”). Modal fibers typically don’t get rough or fuzzy, while cotton knits often do.
- Long-lasting: color + shape. Compared to cotton, it can look more “rich” and stay aesthetically pleasing longer. With proper care it tends to keep its shape well—especially with elastane in the blend.
- Wrinkles less. After washing and drying on a hanger or laid flat, it often doesn’t need ironing.
- Eco aspect. Modal can be more environmentally friendly than cotton, because beech forests generally do not require artificial irrigation and typically involve far fewer pesticides.
Who modal is especially great for
- Sleepwear and lingerie—when you want exceptional softness, lightness, and comfort, especially when sweating more.
- Everyday basics—when you want a fabric that drapes beautifully, doesn’t feel heavy on the body, and stays comfortable all day.
How to care for it (modal with ~5% elastane)
- Wash at 30°C on a gentle cycle; ideally in a laundry bag and with similar colors.
- Air-dry naturally. If using a dryer, choose low temperature (heat affects elastane the most).
Most popular modal items:
More modal products
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