Our Signature Fabric
Ever wondered what's so unique about the fabric we use that we keep talking about it all the time? It's called modal and really so special we wish you could touch it through the screen to experience it for yourself! Here are some facts about modal:
- What is modal? It's a kind of viscose fibre, but better - a synthetically produced natural regenerate fibre made from cellulose. Modal is made from sustainable forestry beech wood grown in Central Europe by debarking the tree trunks, shredding them, and turning them into spinnable material through chemical processes. The next step then is the transport of the fibre to spinning mills and the production of yarn that can then be knitted or woven into fabric. The fibre itself is extremely thin, that's why the final garments feel so light, like they're barely even touching your skin.
- Why is it so good for sportswear? It's extremely soft, heat resistant, and breathable which makes it suitable for sensitive skin. It won't ever feel itchy on your skin and keeps you cool when you sweat or even during summer outdoor activities, but will also feel comfortable during the cooler seasons. It absorbs sweat easily (50% more than cotton) and retains its shape. If you follow the care instructions below, the dye sticks really well and the deep black colour doesn't fade even after many washes!
- Is it really a sustainable choice? Yes! All production steps involved in the making of our clothes happen in the EU, so we can be assured that strict quality guidelines are being followed along the way. Using the highest possible amount of organic fibre has been one of our core values from the very beginning. The processing of modal fibre consumes fewer resources such as water than, for example, conventional cotton. Also, in contrast to polyester (yes, even recycled), modal is made from a renewable raw material and doesn't shed microplastics into the water system when being washed - so it doesn't add to the pollution of our environment. We assure the highest quality of our garments so you can enjoy them for a long time.
- Why do we use a blend of modal and spandex? Our fabric contains just a tiny amount of spandex (4%) to enhance the natural elasticity of the modal fibre - so the garments can actually follow your complex movements in pole and aerial. It feels incredibly soft, but has a slightly brushed haptic at the same time - which naturally helps with grip on aerial apparatus such as hoops or silks. Our leggings can be used on demanding apparatus such as taped hoops or silks as the fabric doesn't break or pill easily. We invested a lot of time and in-depth research in finding this amazing fabric in reasonable amounts at a reasonable price, and so far it's exceeded our and our customers' expectations by far. So we made it our signature and will stick to it!
- How do I take good care of my modal sportswear? Please wash your Dressed for the Circus pole & aerialwear at 40°C max, do not bleach and do not tumble dry. The fabric may be quite thick for sportswear, but that doesn't mean it takes much longer to air dry than polyester clothes. And the best thing is: you won't need to wash it after every wear as it's super breathable and doesn't smell easily! If you stick to these simple rules (also consider the care instructions printed on the inside of each garment), you'll be able to enjoy your new outfit for a very long time. Super easy, isn't it?
Transparency note: Besides modal, however, we do use carefully selected other fabrics when needed. This is the case with the printed side stripes on our mix and match pole and circus collection (polyester), our crop shirts (organic cotton), and the mesh details on our bodysuit (polyester). We always make a conscious decision when selecting our fabrics, and we learned along the way that not every print technique can be applied to any fabric, wonderful fabrics may not be available in the small amounts we need, or a different option might just suit the purpose better. We also acknowledge that blending an organic fibre with spandex has a negative impact on recyclability - however, we're doing our best as a small brand to contribute to a more sustainable fashion industry and hope you will make your Dressed for the Circus sportswear last by buying what you need and taking good care of it. It goes without saying that all our materials used will always be vegan.
We hope you'll love our signature modal fabric as much as we do! Discover our current pole & aerialwear offers here.