The 10 Best Beach Towels to Amp Up Your Seaside Style
From plush terrycloth to Turkish flat-weave.
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A good beach towel is right up there with SPF in terms of summer non-negotiables, and if you've already booked your next holiday, it's time to make sure you've got yours sorted out. Upgrade a ratty old basic to something that'll match the style of your favorite swim shorts: Punchy patterns, logo-laden fabrics, and contrasting colors are all welcome here. It all starts with narrowing down what your ideal towel feels like. Plush terry versions are great for wrapping up after a chilly dip in the pool. Other towels are all about efficiency and being quick-drying, ultra-absorbent, or sand-repelling. Turkish towels are a popular lightweight option.
Whatever you decide, we've got you covered. We scoured our favorite retailers for 10 beach towels sure to suit every style and functional preference—shop our picks, below.
A few things make this cotton beach towel an instant favorite. It's extra long at 66 inches, and its weight and extra softness come from its 600 GSM rating. The thin stripes and slight fringe give it some style without going over the top.
Banish boring beach attire once and for all with Brooklinen's eye-catching style, available in four different colorways. Each one has a thick, 600 GSM terry back for maximum absorbency and a velvety soft front for a textile that's truly the best of both worlds.
Weighty, absorbent, and luxuriously soft, this 70-inch cotton beach towel from Aston & Arden makes any beach chair more comfortable. Its classic bright stripes come in 10 color combinations, and a durable weave easily stands up to multiple washes.
If you're firmly in the Turkish towel camp, you'll love this tricolor design. It packs down to about the size of a burrito, making it a great travel companion, and is just as absorbent and fast-drying as the most plush bath towel (though because of its slimmer construction, you won't have to worry about mildew buildup).
While it's easy to find long beach towels, one with a 40-inch width like this Peacock Alley beauty is a treat. Constructed with 500 GSM cotton, the thick velour and terry towel is worth the splurge.
This microfiber towel is not only soft, but it's also ultra-absorbent and dries quickly. Best of all, this one is a sizeable 74 inches square, which means it can double as a comfortable (and practical) beach blanket, too.
If you're looking for affordable luxe, this Lacoste towel is for you. One side is a soft brushed velvet, while the other side is an absorbent terry cloth. Despite its XL size, the towel is lightweight and easy to carry around whether you're strolling out your door to the pool, or packing for a long vacation.
You can't go wrong with a classic cabana stripe, and this basic version is available in a slew of timeless colors. Not to mention, it's a great value for a set of two, so you can rotate between the pair on your holiday if one needs a little extra time to dry completely between swims.
A chill day by the water calls for a relaxed vibe all around, and this stonewashed Turkish cotton towel certainly meets the moment. Thin and lightweight, it dries quickly and will actually become more absorbent over time as you wash it.
Choose from two sizes and tons of colors to customize this striped style. It's perfect for anyone who prizes function above all else, as it's sand-resistant, quick-drying, and odor-proof. It even comes in its own little baggie, so you can keep it separate from your other beach essentials if it's damp.
Elly Leavitt is a fashion and luxury commerce editor with over seven years of experience covering fashion and design. Her writing can be found in Harper’s BAZAAR, ELLE, Town & Country, Esquire, ELLE Decor, and more. Previously, she was an editor at Domino magazine. You can probably find her in line at Trader Joe's. You will never find her at SoulCycle.
Jessica Dukes is a shopping editor at Hearst Magazines, writing about home goods, tech, fashion, wellness, and more for titles like Good Housekeeping, Country Living, Cosmopolitan, Esquire, and House Beautiful. Drawing on more than 20 years of digital experience, Jess focuses on curating gift guides, tracking down the best deals, and testing products for candid reviews. Prior to Hearst, her career spanned Bonnier Corp., NBC Universal, and Barnes&Noble.com. As a busy mom of two teenagers (one in college), relaxing looks a lot like gardening, hiking, or planning the next family getaway.
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