Modal Hijab: Which One Is Right for You?

Modal is the softest fabric most hijabis own without quite knowing what it's made from. It isn't cotton, and it isn't a synthetic like polyester, it sits in its own category entirely, a fibre spun from wood pulp that behaves closer to silk than anything plant-based has a right to. That's not marketing language, it's genuinely how the fabric is made. This guide covers what modal actually is, why it needs an under cap where jersey doesn't, and which of our three, under cap, crinkle or tie-dye, is the right one for you.

In short: modal is a semi-synthetic fibre made from beech tree pulp, which is what gives it that soft, fluid, almost liquid drape. We make three versions, with under cap (our best-seller, widest colour range), crinkle (textured, extra grip) and tie-dye (hand-dyed print), each solving a different styling need.

What Actually Makes Modal Different

Modal isn't cotton and it isn't fully synthetic either, it's semi-synthetic, made by dissolving beech tree pulp into cellulose and spinning it into fibre. That process is what gives it a feel closer to silk or fine viscose than anything else plant-derived.

• Softness, the beech-pulp spinning process produces an exceptionally fine, smooth fibre
• Absorbency, modal is around 50% more absorbent than cotton, which is part of why it feels cool and dry rather than clingy
• Drape, fluid and closer to the body than jersey's structured stretch
• Sheerness, that same fineness is why modal hijabs are semi-transparent and pair best with an under cap

A Fabric Born From Chemistry, Not Farming

Modal was first developed in Japan in the 1950s, part of a wider push to create softer, more absorbent alternatives to viscose using cellulose fibre. Most modal made today still traces back to Lenzing AG, the Austrian company that refined the process and remains the industry's dominant producer.

What sets modal apart from viscose, its closest relative, is the manufacturing process itself, modal uses lower concentrations of the chemicals involved, which is part of why it holds its shape and softness through far more washes than a standard viscose does.

The Three Modal Hijabs, Compared

Modal with Under Cap, the Everyday Choice

This is where most people start with modal, and it's easy to see why.

• Forty-three colourways, from Burgundy to Moss and everything between, the widest range of any hijab we make
• Includes a matching jersey under cap, so there's no separate guesswork about coverage
• Built-in coverage means fewer pins, less risk of snagging delicate modal on hardware
• Hand wash only, to preserve the texture

We've gone into exactly why the under cap matters, including for curly hair specifically, in our full curly hair guide.

Modal Crinkle, for Extra Grip

Crinkle takes modal's natural softness and adds texture on top, and that texture does real work.

• The delicate crinkle surface creates more contact points against hair than a smooth fabric, which means a more secure, non-slip fit
• Two-tone visual effect, the crinkle catches light differently across the fabric
• Available in ten colours, including Burgundy, Thyme and Rose
• Same ultra-soft modal base, hand wash only

It's a genuinely different feel to smooth modal, we've written about the science behind why in our full crinkle fabric guide.

Tie-Dye Modal, for Something Different

Every fabric range needs one piece that breaks from the plain palette, and this is it.

• Hand-dyed individually, no two pieces are ever quite identical
• Reads closer to a watercolour painting than a conventional print
• Available in eight colourways, from muted Golden Fern to bold Electric Shock
• Semi-transparent like all modal, worth pairing with an under cap for full coverage

Which Modal Is Right for You

• Want the widest colour choice and simplest styling? Modal with Under Cap, our best-seller for a reason.
• Struggle to keep a smooth hijab in place? Modal Crinkle, the textured surface grips noticeably better.
• Want to stand apart from a solid colour palette? Tie-Dye Modal, hand-dyed and never quite repeated.
• Choosing your first modal hijab? Start with Modal with Under Cap, it removes the one styling question, coverage, that trips people up first.

Styling and Care

• Always pair with an under cap. Modal's fine, absorbent fibre is naturally semi-sheer, an under cap solves coverage without adding bulk
• Hand wash only. All three modal hijabs need this to preserve their texture over time, a machine wash is harder on the fine fibre than it is on jersey
• Skip the tumble dryer. Air dry flat to keep modal's drape intact

If you're deciding between modal and a jersey fabric instead, we've laid out the difference in our jersey hijab guide.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is modal hijab fabric made from?

Modal is a semi-synthetic fibre made from beech tree pulp, spun into a fine, soft yarn. It's not cotton and not fully synthetic, it sits in its own category of cellulose fibre alongside viscose and lyocell.

Do you need an under cap with a modal hijab?

Yes, generally. Modal's fine fibre structure makes it naturally semi-transparent, so most people find an under cap improves both coverage and how securely the hijab sits through the day.

What's the difference between modal and jersey hijab?

Modal is a fine, fluid, semi-sheer fabric with a soft, almost liquid drape. Jersey is knitted rather than woven, which gives it more natural stretch and grip. Modal tends to move more; jersey tends to hold its shape more.

Is modal fabric good for sensitive skin?

Generally, yes. Modal's smooth, fine fibre creates less friction against skin and hair than coarser fabrics, and its high absorbency helps it feel cool and dry rather than clingy.

Why Alkareem London

We make three distinct modal hijabs rather than one, because under cap, crinkle and tie-dye each solve a different styling need, coverage, grip and pattern. Each is chosen for how it behaves through a full day, not just how it photographs, and that's the same thinking behind everything else we make. Shop the full hijab collection here.