What is the difference between modal and cotton

Why do we use Modal at Lavender Hill Clothing? The fibre produced from Beech trees is incredibly soft and feels like silk when worn - it has twice the softness of cotton and feels amazing against your skin. Modal fabric is extremely hard-wearing and keeps its shape and finish, even after frequent washing. These properties make it useful as an underwear fabric. Its silky texture also makes it comfortable for close-fitting intimate wear and is breathable.

Unlike garments made from synthetic fibres like nylon and polyester, Modal does not trap perspiration and odors. Modal is up to 50 percent more absorbent than cotton, so clothes never feel sweaty and sticky. Ultra Soft Fabric: Modal has an incredibly soft touch. Durable: Modal is very strong because of the tight weave and the long fibres. Drapes well: Similar to rayon and other silk alternatives, modal has a beautiful drape that makes it ideal for our products.

Cotton might win this one in terms of affordability. Modal price point is generally higher than cotton, and given the impressive characteristics of this new material, it comes as a no brainer. This is why modal is incredibly popular as sportswear, it allows you to perform your exercise routine without much worry; as trapped sweat and heat inside your outfit will no longer be a problem.

Modal has got a reputation as a luxury textile commodity, especially its Lyocell variant, making it a really popular material within the high-end fashion industry. Cotton is used to produce almost anything. Its versatile and rugged nature makes it a perfect candidate for the production of bed sheets, comforters, mattress pads, t-shirts, socks, blue jeans, towels, mattresses, table and cleaning cloths. Cotton is also regularly blended with other fabrics, usually because of its strength and softness.

This round goes to modal. This fabric is stronger than cotton due to its long, and tightly woven fibers. Modal superior moisture-wicking properties also give it a slight edge over cotton.

Cotton is less porous than modal and it has a slight advantage in terms of keeping you warm. So if winters are not as aggressive where you live, yet you still want to purchase a soft and airy fabric, we recommend cotton over modal. Both of these materials are very comparable. Efficient and proper washing and drying for both is recommended. Modal dries a bit faster, but it needs to be ironed regularly to conserve its rich properties.

Surprisingly, Modal is not blended into other fabrics as much as cotton, mainly due to its steep price. A way to circumvent this; is to produce modal cotton blend fibers. This gives pure modal enhanced strength and durability, combining the natural with the semi-synthetic. A modal cotton blend is cheaper than pure modal, keeping all of its intrinsic characteristics. A modal cotton blend is durable, stretchy, water-absorbent, silky, soft, and breathable; it also drapes smoothly and perfectly around the body.

Modal and cotton in their pure form are not very stretchy materials. They both need to be treated or blended to enhance their stretchy characteristics. Modal is also inherently stretchier than cotton, as it is a semi-synthetic fabric made from reconstituted natural plastics.

For this reason, modal is used far more in the underwear and sportswear markets. We all need our underwear to stretch around our groin while we wear it, and most yoga enthusiasts know the importance of a strong, and stretchy fabric. It all depends on what you are looking for. Feature image via The R Collective, all other images via brands mentioned. Use the Directory to search more than 3, brands.

To support our work, we may earn a commission on sales made using our offer codes or affiliate links. Wear the change you want to see. Download our app to discover ethical brands and see how your favourites measure up. Join the Good On You community to discover even more ethical and sustainable fashion. Search Ratings. Material Guide: What Is Modal? And Is It Sustainable? Words: Nikki Brogan. Category: Made From. Share for change FB TW.

What is modal and how is it made? How does modal impact the environment? Forest destruction As with viscose , sourcing wood to turn into modal risks the destruction of native forest.

Harmful chemicals The second issue is the chemicals. Better modal For modal to be better, we want to be assured it was sourced from renewable forests and that the chemical processing was done at the highest standards, including minimising chemical emissions to air or water. The catch However, a key factor in all of this is that Lenzing does not produce ready to wear fabrics. How does modal compare to other rayon fabrics?

So, in summary It is essential to consider both the source materials and fibre processing and the weaving, cutting, and transportation process when thinking about the sustainability of a fabric.

The R Collective. Learn more about sustainable and ethical materials. Editor's note Feature image via The R Collective, all other images via brands mentioned. Ethical brand ratings. Welcome to good on you. We'll send you the goods.