Author: Grace Pan
Date: 2 July 2025
In the world of fabrics, few materials balances comfort, elegance, and practicality as gracefully as Modal. Often described as the “star” of the rayon family, this fabric offers a silky softness and breathability that makes it highly valued across fashion, particularly in scarves, hijabs, loungewear, and summer staples. Yet to appreciate why Modal shines, I would like to introduce what it is, where it comes from, and how it fits within the rayon family in this article.
What is Modal?
Modal is a semi-synthetic fabric made from the pulp of beech trees, engineered to provide exceptional softness, breathability, and durability. Technically, it belongs to the rayon family, which means it is made by regenerating cellulose extracted from plants into fibres suitable for spinning into yarn.
What makes Modal unique is its refinement process, which enhances the strength of its fibres even when wet, resists shrinkage, and maintains its smooth, silky finish wash after wash. The fabric drapes beautifully, feels cool against the skin, and absorbs moisture well, making it highly suitable for summer wear and humid climates.
What is the Rayon Family?
The rayon family includes fibres made from regenerated cellulose, meaning they originate from natural materials like wood pulp but are processed using chemical methods to create textile fibres.
Key members of the rayon family include:
Viscose Rayon: The most common type, known for its silk-like drape and affordability, but less durable when wet.
Modal: A high-wet-modulus rayon made from beech trees, offering improved durability, softness, and breathability.
Lyocell (including Tencel): A rayon produced using an eco-friendlier closed-loop system, known for its moisture-wicking properties and environmental benefits.
Cupro: A fine, silky rayon derived from cotton linter, often used in linings and luxury scarves.
The rayon family bridges the gap between fully natural fibres like cotton and linen and fully synthetic fibres like polyester and nylon, combining plant-based origin with engineering for enhanced functionality.
Rayon fabrics, especially Modal and Lyocell, are often considered more eco-aligned than synthetics because they use renewable resources and biodegrade over time. However, conventional viscose production can lead to water pollution and deforestation if materials are not sustainably sourced, making responsible production a key factor in rayon’s environmental story.
In contrast, synthetic fibres contribute heavily to microplastic pollution and rely on non-renewable petroleum-based inputs, making their environmental impact persistent throughout their lifecycle.
Why Modal is a Star in the Rayon Family
While the entire rayon family offers plant-based softness and comfort, Modal stands out for several reasons:
✨ Exceptional Softness: Modal is smoother than cotton and silk-like, making it luxurious against the skin.
✨ Breathability and Moisture Management: It absorbs moisture 50% more efficiently than cotton, allowing for better comfort in heat and humidity.
✨ Strength and Durability: Unlike traditional viscose, Modal maintains its strength when wet, making it easy to care for without losing its shape.
✨ Colour Retention: This fabric holds dye exceptionally well, ensuring vibrant colours that do not fade easily over time.
✨ Eco-Potential: Modal uses beech trees, which require less water than cotton, and the production process often recycles water and chemicals in more advanced facilities.
These qualities make Modal a practical, durable, and sensory-pleasing fabric, fitting perfectly into the lives of consumers who desire luxury and functionality in their everyday wear.
What Products are Suitable for Modal?
Thanks to its softness, drape, and breathability, Modal is highly versatile. Here are some examples I found among the UK high street brands in 2025 which the fabric is particularly suitable for:
🧣 Scarves and Hijabs: Modal’s lightweight, airy drape makes it perfect for layered styles without heaviness, and its softness ensures comfort for daily wear. It holds pleats and folds well while allowing airflow, making it ideal for warm climates.
👗 Summer Dresses and Blouses: Modal’s moisture-wicking properties and breathable structure provide comfort and elegance, making it excellent for travel wardrobes and daily summer staples.
🩳 Loungewear and Sleepwear: The fabric’s softness and temperature-regulating qualities ensure cozy yet cool comfort for pyjamas, robes, and relaxed at-home sets.
🩲 Undergarments: Modal is often used for underwear and base layers, providing softness and moisture management throughout the day.
🧸 Baby Clothing: Due to its hypoallergenic properties and gentle touch, Modal is increasingly used in baby onesies and blankets.
In a world moving toward mindful fashion choices, Modal offers a compelling balance of luxury feel, comfort, and practicality. While it is not entirely without environmental concerns, Modal remains a superior alternative within the rayon family, especially when sourced responsibly, and offers significant benefits over fossil-fuel-based synthetics for those seeking breathable, soft, and versatile clothing.
Oh, last not but least, our company has launched our modal rich underwear for men and women as well (probably that why I am choosing this topic, lol!)
Check out by clicking the pictures to the pages!
