As the underwear industry grows, brands and their designers seek alternatives to the classic cotton blend fabrics used for ages in the construction of men’s underwear. New technologies, extensive research but also a need for innovation as the industry evolves, contribute to the use of new fabrics. The most popular of the all is definitely modal. Modal is a semi-synthetic made from pulp from beech trees. It is a type of rayon but made from particularly high-quality cellulose. Many have called it “the underwear fabric” because of its increasing use in the industry and its properties; modal is breathable, lightweight, absorbs water better than cotton, it has a silky feel and is naturally resistant to pilling. Modal was originally developed in Japan in the 1950s. Today, the biggest exporter of this type of fabric is China, while most of it is produced by the Austrian company Lenzing AG, which has the trademark for the fabric; its brands include Lenzing Modal, China Modal, and Formatex. Apart from Modal, Lenzing has trademarked two, even lighter, versions of the material, which are called MicroModal and Modal Air. These two fabrics are an even finer knit making the garment softer and more lightweight. Below you can find a selection of product made from modal, modal blended with cotton and micro-modal, which we think represent this trend best.

CODE 22 – Thrust Brief

The first pair of underwear we show you, and one that we think represents this trend quite well is the Thrust Briefs by CODE 22. This is a contemporary style, low rise men’s bikini briefs with sporty stripes on either side of the pouch. These briefs are made from a super soft modal, cotton and elastane fabric, that feels amazing on the skin. In this underwear, micro modal offers you the comfort you need for everyday wear and agility for sports. You will feel like wearing nothing at all!

Barcode Berlin – Briefs Oliver – Black with Yellow

The second pair of underwear in the list is the Oliver Briefs, one of the most stylish briefs of the season by Barcode Berlin. These briefs are made from three distinctive fabrics: ribbed cotton, modal and elastane. Modal here is used for its softness and breathability and as lining for the pouch. The brand used it also as a design element, giving it a dashing colour to stand out from the rest of the garment.

Andrew Christian – CoolFlex Modal Locker Room Jock w/ Show-It

Apart from briefs, modal is used in the construction of other underwear styles such as this jock brief by Andrew Christian, the Show-It Locker Room Jock. The American brand used the fabric to add to the enhancing features that this jock has. This way the pouch expands to make extra room while the inside pocket offers the right support without restrictions. In this case modal was used for being stretchy, allowing the underwear to still maintain the second skin feel it was designed to have.

Marcuse – Brighten Thong

Another one modal specimen, is the Brighten Thong by Marcuse. This thong is a sexy, low rise, modal thong perfect for every day wear! The fabric is a modal blend with a generous amount of elastane. Here modal prevails by giving you incredible comfort, softness and minimal hold. For this reason, the brand added a wide waistband to hold the underwear firmly on the body.

Adam Smith – Boyshorts – Black

The last pair of underwear in the list is the B-Shorts by Adam Smith, a pair of low rise trunks designed for every day wear. The fabric in this case is micro modal, that feels like silk against the skin. The brand used micro modal for its breathability, agility and lightness to make it easier to wear all day without feeling any discomfort.