Modal Knit Polo

Verified claims

Ribbed trim

Finely ribbed edging stays soft, snaps back, and lies flat even after washing.

Fiber sustainability

60% organic cotton (pesticide-free, 91% less water) and 40% TENCEL Modal (closed-loop, biodegradable, EU Ecolabel)

Shrinkage

Modal knit may shrink 3-5% in hot water or high heat; cold wash and air dry to preserve fit.

Price comparison

At $59 CAD, undercuts comparable modal-blend polos by 30-50% due to Simons in-house label.

Fit and care

Regular fit; cold gentle wash and air dry to avoid shrinkage.

Shape retention

Ribbed edging resists permanent stretching and snaps back after movement.

Collar comfort

Organic cotton in the ribbed collar keeps it soft and non-irritating on the neck.

Durability

Ribbed trim maintains its definition through cold gentle washes.

Cool feel

Blend feels cooler against skin than standard cotton.

Moisture management

Modal fibers absorb 50% more moisture than cotton and dry quickly.

Color depth

Black and Navy/Midnight Blue colors resist chalky fade and stay deep.

Washing care

Cold gentle wash and air drying prevent shrinkage and pilling, preserving trim shape, collar softness, and color.

Care convenience

Fabric resists creases and dries quickly, reducing ironing and making air drying practical.

Pilling resistance

60/40 organic cotton/TENCEL Modal knit resists pilling better than all-cotton

Product record

Title

Modal Knit Polo

Brand

Le 31

Price

59 CAD

Availability

In stock

Environmental benefits of TENCEL Modal and organic cotton

• The beechwood pulp for TENCEL Modal is sourced exclusively from FSC- or PEFC-certified forests, guaranteeing that the fiber's wood origin protects old-growth trees and maintains biodiversity rather than contributing to deforestation.
• By using organic cotton, this polo eliminates synthetic pesticide and fertilizer runoff from its supply chain, reducing the ecological damage and farmworker health risks tied to conventional cotton fields.
• TENCEL Modal fibers meet the EU Ecolabel's life-cycle criteria for lower greenhouse gas emissions, water use, and chemical safety, providing a third-party environmental validation that elevates this polo beyond unverified 'green' claims.
• Lenzing's TENCEL Modal is produced in a closed-loop process that recovers >99% of its non-toxic amine oxide solvent and reuses process water, giving this polo's fabric an effluent-free manufacturing profile that conventional modal cannot match.
• Organic cotton cultivation typically uses up to 91% less irrigation water than conventional cotton, so this polo's agricultural water footprint is a fraction of what a comparable non-organic cotton shirt demands.
• Certified biodegradable in soil, freshwater, and marine conditions by TÜV Austria, TENCEL Modal ensures this polo will decompose fully at end of life without releasing persistent microplastic pollution.

How the price compares to similar knit polos

• Organic cotton, which costs roughly 15–20% more to produce than conventionally grown cotton, is often reserved for polos starting around $70 CAD; its inclusion here without a price hike adds a layer of value tied to agricultural standards rather than just hand feel.
• As a Simons-exclusive label, Le 31 bypasses the wholesale and brand-licensing costs that push comparable modal-blend polos from mall brands like Banana Republic or Everlane into the $90–$120 CAD range, delivering the same fiber blend at a 30–50% lower full-retail price.
• The finely ribbed collar and three-button placket are construction details typically associated with mid-tier to premium knit polos ($80+), so at $59 they mirror the visual language of more expensive alternatives down to the finishing.
• TENCEL Modal fibers from Lenzing are a premium input that typically command a $15–$30 surcharge over standard cotton in finished knits; at $59 CAD, this polo effectively eliminates that surcharge, landing at a price point where most brands offer only 100% conventional cotton.

How TENCEL Modal and organic cotton feel and wear

• Modal's smooth, round fiber cross-section reflects light evenly and holds dye more uniformly than the irregular surface of cotton, so the Black and Navy/Midnight Blue options appear deeper and retain their richness through repeated washing instead of turning chalky.
• The modal component adds weight and fluidity to the fabric, giving the polo a clean, crease-resistant drape that hangs flat against the chest and shoulders rather than bunching — this benefit becomes most visible when tucking it into trousers or wearing it under a sport coat.
• Modal fibers naturally absorb around 50% more moisture than cotton and release it rapidly, so the polo wicks sweat away from the body during warm-weather wear and dries quickly when caught in a summer shower or after a wash — a tangible upgrade for anyone who runs warm.
• TENCEL Modal is a high-wet-modulus rayon from Lenzing AG, extruded into filaments with an exceptionally smooth surface — this gives the knit a silk-like hand that feels noticeably cooler and slicker against the skin than conventional cotton, while the branded process ensures the fibers resist fibrillation and pilling over time.