Beach Towels Shopping Guide

In this guide, you will find everything you need to know before purchasing a beach towel. A beach towel is not just a larger bath towel or a simple barrier between you and the ground. It is a specially designed item, specifically created to offer the best possible experience by the sea or pool.

The beach towels from designdrops are even more intricately crafted in terms of quality, shape, functionality, and appearance. Furthermore, they are the ultimate summer fashion accessory that will accompany you on all your summer adventures. This buying guide includes everything you should consider when purchasing a beach towel for your next vacation.

What size should I choose?

Size is probably the number one difference between a bath towel and a beach towel. If you placed one next to the other, you would notice that the beach towel is significantly wider and longer than the bath towel. This is actually a very important feature, as you don’t want half your body touching the hot sand or rocks on the beach, nor do you want it to come into contact with the deck chairs at the beach bar. The typical size options are: 80x160 cm, 100x180 cm, 90x170 cm, and 90x180 cm.

What is GSM in a beach towel?

A beach towel undergoes a lot of wear and tear. It will be stepped on, exposed to the sun, and act as an improvised cover or even a blanket. It will also be exposed to saltwater, chlorine, and will dry repeatedly without being thoroughly rinsed. So, while we love thick and fluffy beach towels, they should not be as thick as a bath towel and need to be extremely durable. This is where GSM, weaving, and materials come into play.

GSM essentially stands for grams per square meter (g/m²). It is a standard measure of a towel's density that refers to the weight of the fabric woven into a square meter and determines the thickness and texture of different types of towels. Towels can range from 150 GSM to 900 GSM. The lower the number, the lighter and thinner the towel:

Beach Towel 150-390 GSM

Beach towels with 150-300 GSM will be light and thin. These may be ideal for use at the beach, as they will dry relatively quickly. They are absorbent enough but have less plush texture compared to heavier towels. However, this also depends on how the fabric is treated. Because they are thin, these towels may give a cool feeling when used on hot summer days. Often, these towels can also be used as sarongs.

Beach Towel 400-590 GSM

These towels are considered medium weight and are the most common weight for beach towels, bath towels, etc. With each additional gram of weight, the towel becomes heavier and more absorbent. Again, it all depends on the materials and weaving used, but a medium category is preferred if you want a beach towel that absorbs water efficiently and dries relatively quickly.

Beach Towel 600-900 GSM

This category is considered a luxury-weight towel, as it is more velvety and absorbent. While it is wonderful to enjoy the ultra-soft and fluffy texture of this towel after a shower or swim, a GSM this high is not ideal for a beach towel, as it tends to attract more sand, takes much longer to dry, and is quite heavy, making it difficult to carry.

So, what GSM weight is ideal for you? It depends on your preferences. On one hand, you want a nice, soft, fluffy beach towel that will feel great on your skin. However, choosing a very thick beach towel will make it harder on the beach, as it is more difficult to clean off the sand, takes a long time to dry, and will feel heavy in your bag. Therefore, we recommend choosing something thick enough to guarantee comfort and absorbency, but thin enough to be easily portable and dry quickly in the sun.

Choose the design of the beach towel

Whether it is the texture, construction, or color, beach towels are created to complement the environment in which they will be used. The beach is bright, with the backdrop of the sun, the ocean, and even the trees, and it is the perfect place to boldly express your personality with rich colors and prints. It is essentially a whole experience that you deserve to offer yourself. There is a beach towel for everyone, so simply have fun selecting the one that’s ideal for you!

Striped Beach Towel

For both men and women, stripes are perhaps the easiest and most elegant way to add style to summer. It is a minimal chic aesthetic from the Greek Islands and is now available in a variety of color combinations, so you can choose your favorite.

Tropical Beach Towel

Nothing says "exotic" like a rich, tropical design. Choose exotic prints that instantly transport you to faraway places with fiery sunsets, crystal-clear waters, palm trees, and vibrant flowers that make you dream of sipping fruity cocktails in paradise. Pair the style with your solid-colored swimwear or embrace your maximalist side by adding bold accessories.

Abstract Design Beach Towel

Looking for something that will stand out on the beach? Then choose a beach towel with intricate, abstract patterns, retro shapes, vintage illustrations, pop-art images, and striking graphics that will attract attention.

Animal Print Beach Towel

Animal prints can add a touch of glam to any look. However, in recent seasons, animal print patterns have become more modern and fresh than ever, as they are combined with bright colors, giving them a more funky, rebellious feel.

Solid Color Beach Towels

Of course, we love striking prints, but there comes a time when simplicity and elegance are all that's needed for a chic beach look. A solid-colored towel will never clash with your swimsuit, accessories, or even your location! Yes, this is a thing. Every destination has its own vibe and style, and your beach towel can reflect it, making you feel at home wherever you are. Maybe you don’t want to deal with stains and prefer darker colors like olive, navy blue, or even black! For a festive style that won’t go unnoticed, mix and match your solid-colored towels or choose a color that complements your printed swimsuit and accessories, like coral or turquoise.

Overall, at designdrops, you will discover a wide range of colors and designs, which you can easily and simply find and select thanks to our ergonomic filters.

Choose the color of the beach towel

What color should a beach towel be? Beach towels come in all colors, from bright neon to soft earth tones. But what color should a beach towel have? The answer, of course, depends on your personal preferences. However, there are a few factors to consider when making your choice. First, darker colors tend to absorb more heat, so if you want to stay cool on a hot day, you might want to choose a towel in lighter shades. Additionally, towels with vibrant colors are more likely to fade in the sunlight, so if you want your towel to retain its vibrancy, you should choose a darker shade. Ultimately, the best color for a beach towel is the one that makes you happy – after all, that's the point of vacations!

Functionality:

As mentioned earlier, every item has a purpose and must be specifically designed for that purpose. Beach towels are no different. Carried from morning to evening, a beach towel is created to do many things and is crafted so it can be used in various ways. It must strike that perfect balance to create a comfortable protective cover between you and the ground, absorb water, dry quickly, become an improvised sunbathing blanket, and be light enough to wear as a stylish headwrap, sarong, or shawl. All this without letting sand stick to its fibers. When we talk about functionality, let's not forget the alternative beach towels for babies, children, and adults.

Baby & Kids:

Special beach towels for babies are lifesavers for stressed parents on vacation. A baby’s skin is extremely sensitive and prone to redness and itching when in contact with allergens or unnatural materials. A soft baby beach towel made from 100% cotton is a perfect choice, as it will keep your baby cool yet warm after playing in the water.

Older children are also selective. They can’t stand itchy materials or uncomfortable wet towels and might complain for hours about it. Thus, the ideal choice is super fluffy and absorbent kids’ ponchos made from 100% cotton. Featuring a hood, it will keep your kids warm after a refreshing dip. Decked out with our playful, colorful prints, you won’t have trouble getting your kids to wear them after a swim. Moreover, they are made from high-quality materials that make them highly durable, able to withstand endless hours of play year after year.

Sarong Beach Towel:

Beach-sarong towels are incredibly popular due to the many benefits they offer. Designed to be used both as a towel and a sarong, you can wear them as a dress or skirt, adding style to your look. Sarong towels usually have a lower GSM, making them light and easy to wear. This makes them perfect for travel, beach trips, and your outings. They often come in various designs, colors, and styles. You can choose something that suits your personal style and create a stunning look. The versatility of sarong towels means you don’t need to carry different types of clothing, as you can use your towel to cover yourself. The ability to transform your towel into a sarong allows you to change outfits easily and comfortably, without the need to bring extra clothes with you. Overall, beach sarong towels offer many options and conveniences while adding style to your beach or poolside appearance.

Choosing the Quality of the Beach Towel

The choice of one fabric or blend over another always comes with its advantages and disadvantages, and in the end, it depends on what will make you feel comfortable. For example, cotton is soft and comfortable, but it can remain damp longer, while microfiber materials dry faster but are not as plush in texture. Although there are many options, let's examine the main options for beach towels:

Beach Towel Made of Cotton:

There is no doubt that 100% natural cotton towels are the best. They are soft, fluffy, absorbent, and dry quickly. Absorbency and the ability to dry quickly are the two main factors that ultimately make us choose a beach towel, as it will get wet and dry many times in a short period. The faster the towel dries, the sooner you can shake the sand off and put it back in your beach bag. The only downside is that cotton towels tend to be less durable than synthetic ones. However, at designdrops, we have created a collection of cotton towels known for their durability and signed by the most renowned brands.

Beach Towel Made of Egyptian Cotton:

This type of cotton comes from a different kind of cotton plant and is considered of higher quality due to its exceptionally long fibers and high absorbency. Egyptian cotton is handpicked, meaning less pressure is applied to the fibers, leaving them smooth and intact. As a result, these fibers allow the creation of very fine threads without sacrificing length, strength, flexibility, or softness. Since they are not machine-harvested, the fibers are also more durable and, with proper care, have a very long lifespan. They are also quite porous, allowing air to pass through, avoiding musty smells and mold. Its superior luxurious feel and quality make it the top choice for luxury hotels and spas. For the perfect balance, combine 100% Egyptian cotton with a medium GSM.

Beach Towel Made of Microfiber:

An innovative alternative is microfiber towels. Made from synthetic fibers (usually a blend of polyester and polyamide), their edges are broken, making them highly absorbent and able to dry faster than any other type of towel. They are also more durable than natural fibers, very lightweight, and become very compact when folded, making them an easy choice for travel. While higher-tech blends create a soft towel, they do not have the same luxurious texture as cotton towels.

Naturally, there are beach towels made from a variety of materials, but these are the most common or a combination of materials, such as cotton and polyester, which results in a fabric that combines the advantages of both raw materials.

Why is the Weave of the Beach Towel Important?

We can confidently say that cotton is the best material and that a mid-range GSM is ideal for a beach towel. However, other factors that affect absorbency, softness, and durability are the weave and type of yarn.

Combed / Penied Beach Towel

Beach towels are woven in different ways, resulting in different feels. The standard cotton spinning method is the least expensive process and usually creates products with a rougher finish. That’s why we prefer combed cotton, as it has a nicer feel and lasts longer. The combing of cotton adds another layer of quality. Combing each fiber creates a more uniform and smooth material by removing impurities and shorter fibers, which tend to break. After the combing process, the fibers are tightly bound together, leading to less fraying and producing a noticeably smoother and softer product.

Velour / Velvety Beach Towel

Velour beach towels are known for their soft, velvety texture. This makes them very pleasant to the touch and comfortable to wrap around yourself after each swim. While velour towels may seem thin, they generally offer good absorbency. Despite their soft and plush texture, they usually have a lower weight than traditional towels. This makes them easy to carry and ideal for travel.

Jacquard Beach Towel

Jacquard beach towels typically have a textured surface created by a weaving technique that gives beautiful patterns and reliefs on the fabric. This can add a sense of luxury and interest. Jacquard towels are usually easily recognizable due to their distinctive designs. This can help you spot your towel more easily in a crowded setting, such as a beach. The jacquard weaving technique is commonly used to create high-quality fabrics. Due to the quality of the construction, jacquard towels can last for many years.

Stonewashed Beach Towel

Stonewashed beach towels are an interesting option with many advantages. The stonewashing technique gives the fabric a subdued and natural look, with some areas lighter and others darker. This creates a unique appearance that can enhance your style at the beach or pool. The surface of the stonewashed fabric is usually soft and pleasant to the touch, adding comfort to your experience. Over time and use, stonewashed towels may develop an even more defined and relaxed appearance, adding more character to the final aesthetic result.

Considering the above useful information and advice, you can now browse the exquisite collection at designdrops and find the ideal beach towel for you and your family members! You can pair your towel with modern beach bags at unbeatable prices! Don’t forget to care for your beach towel according to the instructions on its label. For smart tips that will keep your towel looking new, read the Beach Towel Care Guide.

At designdrops, you will find buying guides for bedding and bedding care guides, which contain valuable advice on choosing the ideal bedding and keeping it looking new!

Frequently Asked Questions About Beach Towels

Can any towel be a beach towel?
No, not just any towel can be used as a beach towel. Beach towels are usually larger than regular towels and are designed to dry you off quickly after swimming at the beach or pool. They are made from materials that dry quickly and withstand sand and water. Additionally, they often have colors and designs that make them more suitable for the beach or pool.

Should beach towels be thick or thin?
Beach towels can be either thick or thin, depending on your preferences. Thick towels offer more absorbency and softness, while thin towels are lighter and dry faster. Choose the one that best suits your needs at the beach or pool.

What is the purpose of a beach towel?
The purpose of a beach towel is to provide you with a large, absorbent fabric to dry your skin after swimming in the sea or pool. Additionally, it can be used as a cover to lie on a sunbed or even on the sand, as well as a sarong.

How do you keep beach towels clean?
To keep beach towels clean, rinse them with fresh water after use to remove sand and salt residue. Wash them in the machine with cold water and a gentle detergent. Avoid using too much detergent, as this can reduce the absorbency of the fabric. Let them dry completely in an open space to prevent mold and odors from developing.

How often should you wash beach towels?
The frequency of washing beach towels depends on usage and conditions. Generally, it is a good idea to wash them after each use at the beach or pool. If they are not used frequently, it may be sufficient to wash them after a few uses or when they become dirty. The important thing is to keep them clean and absorbent.

How often should beach towels be replaced?
Beach towels should be replaced every 2-3 years or when they show signs of wear, loosening, or loss of absorbency. Also, if their appearance is no longer satisfactory, you can replace them for aesthetic reasons.