In the world of hijab fabrics and our products, one of the things we’ve realized is that we receive a ton of ongoing questions about the similarities and differences between our Viscose and Modal Maxi Hijabs. Why would you choose to buy one versus the other? How can you wrap these two types of hijab differently than say - a chiffon, jersey or georgette? (Hint - it’s all about the drape!)

Let’s get into it!

Viscose and Modal Maxi Hijabs are actually similar in most ways except for two things - size and fabric thickness. One thing to note - while there is a pretty significant difference in size, the fabric weight between viscose and modal aren’t that different. But let’s get educated on each one - its fabric and size details, as well as ways each are beautiful for styling.

The viscose is a woven fabric made of natural fibers with an airy weave and super soft touch. It is lightweight and wraps easily around the head and neck. It measures at 78” x 27”, which is the same width as our chiffon, georgette and satin hijabs, but 6” longer.

This hijab can be worn year-round but is especially nice for summertime and hot weather due to its breathability. In fact, our HH Fam has declared it our go-to “summer hijab!”

You can pull down one end of a Viscose Hijab for more coverage in the front or tuck it into your shirt or towards your back. The best part? No undercap or pins necessary, as this material is not slippery!

What makes the Modal Maxi Hijab most different from all other hijabs we carry is its size. If you’re looking for a large hijab to style in numerous ways, the Modal Maxi is your best bet. It measures at 78” x 39”, which is the same length as the viscose but a whole 12” wider. The weave of a modal is very similar to a viscose, only the thread is slightly thicker and the weave is slightly tighter. It’s difficult to really see the difference in weave between the two, but you will feel an ever-so-slight difference in the thickness if you scrunch it up in your hand.

The key is the wider, maxi size that makes these hijabs extra versatile. If you’re a woman who likes to drape, this hijab is made for you. It can beautifully drape across the front of your body and chest area and wrap around your head in numerous styles. This is especially great if you have a fuller figure or a large chest and prefer to have more chest coverage. Plus, it gives you more options when looking for tops, since the draping abilities can help you cover slightly lower necklines without fear.

If you want to make them smaller, you can fold it in half and style it just as you would a standard-width hijab – and the fabric is airy enough that it won’t be too heavy! In fact, many of our modal fans wrap them in turban styles – so rest assured it’s not too much fabric for even the sleekest style. We’ve recommended it for winter-wear in the past, and it’s true, there’s something about the additional fabric that’s perfect for days when you want to feel cozy. But actually it works great in the summer as well if you are looking for a larger-size hijab to wear!

Our blog editor Dilshad notes that she loves the Modal Maxi Hijabs in particular because of the large size, the ability to drape and because when she wears Desi (Southeast Asian) clothing, these hijabs take the place of the classic dupatta and wraps with much more elegance and ease. She likes to pull it down over one shoulder or over the front of her body, especially if she is wearing something fitted.

(Pro tip - they're also *perfect* to toss on before tarawih or any prayer!) And of course, like the viscose, you don’t need undercaps or pins to wear our Modal Maxis.

Whether you choose viscose or modal - you can’t go wrong with either one of them!