Choosing Your Towels: The Ultimate Guide

Choosing the right towel is about so much more than just matching the colour to your bath mat. It’s about the small, quiet moments at the start and end of your day.

The secret to finding that perfect towel, the one that feels like a warm hug after a long day, is understanding a few key details: the material, its weight (or GSM), and the weave.

In this guide, we cover what really matters - so you can choose a towel that feels right from the first use.

Why Choosing the Right Towel Matters

Think about the last time you stayed somewhere memorable. It’s often the small details that stay with you - the crisp sheets, the considered toiletries, and most of all, towels that feel soft, generous, and properly absorbent. That feeling isn’t just for holidays; it’s something you can bring into your everyday.

Choosing your towels isn’t just another purchase. It’s a quiet investment in your own comfort. The right towel can turn a simple routine, like stepping out of the shower, into a moment that feels calm, considered, and just for you.

We’ve all experienced a bad towel. The kind that pushes water around instead of absorbing it, feels rough against your skin, and never quite dries, leaving a damp edge in the room. It misses the point entirely.

A well-made towel, on the other hand, does its job effortlessly. It absorbs quickly, feels soft without being heavy, and dries properly between uses - ready for the next time you reach for it.

Because a towel isn’t just practical. It shapes how those small, in-between moments feel.

And once you start noticing the difference, you begin to care about the details that make it - the material, the weight, the weave. That’s where it all begins.

Different Types of Towels

To find that perfect towel, it helps to know what to look for. We’ll break down the key details, so you can choose with confidence: materials, weight and density (GSM), types and sizes, and how to care for them so they last.

Common Towel Materials (Cotton, Bamboo, Linen, and more)

The secret to a great towel isn’t hidden; it’s woven into the fibres. While there are plenty of options out there, natural fibres stand apart when it comes to comfort, performance, and durability.

Material is the single most important choice you’ll make. It shapes how a towel feels against your skin, how well it absorbs moisture, and how it holds up over time. Synthetic options like microfibre may feel soft at first, but often fall short, pushing water around rather than properly absorbing it.

Natural fibres, particularly cotton, are designed to do this well. They draw in moisture, dry effectively, and soften beautifully with use. Bamboo is another option, valued for its silky feel and antibacterial properties, though it can be less durable than high quality cotton.

Super Pile Cotton

For those looking to elevate their everyday routine, our Super Pile Towels offer a distinctly plush and refined experience. Made from 100% cotton and crafted with a dense, high-quality pile, these towels are designed to deliver exceptional softness, strong absorbency, and long-lasting performance. They strike a careful balance between everyday practicality and a more indulgent, spa-like feel.

Linen Towels

Linen towels offer a completely different experience. Naturally lightweight and highly breathable, linen is known for its exceptional quick-drying properties and durability. While it doesn’t have the same plushness as cotton, it becomes softer over time and excels in warmer climates or minimalist spaces where performance and simplicity matter most.
Explore our collection here: Linen Towels

What GSM Means in Towels & How GSM Affects Towel Softness and Absorbency

When you’re browsing for towels, you’ll likely come across the term GSM, or grams per square metre. It might sound technical, but it’s one of the clearest ways to understand how a towel will feel and perform.

Put simply, GSM measures the towel’s density and weight. A higher GSM means more fibres are packed into each square metre, creating a towel that feels thicker, softer, and more substantial. A lower GSM results in a lighter, quicker-drying towel with a more relaxed feel.

This directly affects both absorbency and softness. Higher GSM towels are naturally more absorbent - with more cotton loops to draw moisture away from your skin, they dry you off quickly and thoroughly. They also feel noticeably plusher, with that soft, cushioned texture you’d expect from a well-made towel.

Lower GSM towels, on the other hand, are lighter and more breathable. While they may not feel as plush, they dry faster and can be a practical choice for everyday use or warmer climates.

Lightweight vs Heavyweight Towels

Choosing between a lightweight and heavyweight towel isn't about which one is “better” , it's about finding the right tool for the job.

Lightweight Towels (300–500 GSM)

These are wonderfully airy, breathable, and incredibly quick to dry. Their lower density lets air circulate freely, making them a godsend in humid climates or bathrooms with less-than-ideal ventilation. They are also perfect for travel or the gym as they pack down small. Waffle weaves, such as our Linen Towels collection, often fall into this category, offering a lightweight feel with excellent breathability and quick-drying performance.

Heavyweight Towels (600–900 GSM)

These are built for pure comfort and indulgence, exceptionally soft, wonderfully absorbent, and dense. The high density of fibres means they can hold a remarkable amount of water, making them feel incredibly effective. Our Super Pile Towels collection, at 750 GSM, are a perfect example of a super-plush, ultra-absorbent towel that delivers that five-star hotel feeling of being wrapped in a warm, fluffy cloud.

How to Choose Towels for Absorbency and Softness

When choosing a towel, absorbency and softness often come down to the same two factors: material and GSM.

For both, natural fibres, particularly long-staple cottons like Egyptian, Turkish, or our Super Pile Towels, are a strong place to start. Their longer, smoother fibres create more surface area to absorb moisture, while also feeling gentler against the skin. Super Pile towels strike the perfect balance with a high GSM and premium long-staple cotton, offering a luxuriously soft feel without sacrificing durability.

GSM plays an equally important role. Higher GSM towels (around 600 and above) are denser, which means more cotton loops to draw in water and a noticeably softer, more cushioned feel. This is what gives heavier towels their satisfying absorbency and that full, enveloping texture.

Care matters, too. Avoiding harsh detergents and fabric softeners will help maintain both softness and performance over time.

The Importance of Durability in Towels

A great towel is an investment, so you want it to last. Durability comes from the quality of the fibres and the construction. Long-staple cottons like Turkish and Egyptian are inherently stronger because their long fibres result in fewer break points in the yarn. Check for double-turned edges with double stitching, as this reinforces the hems and prevents fraying after many washes. A higher GSM towel (600+) is also generally more durable due to its dense, robust weave.

Towel Types and Sizes

A well-considered bathroom isn’t built around a single towel, but a collection — each piece chosen for how it’s used, and how it fits into your space.

• Bath Sheet (approx. 100 × 150 cm)
  Larger than a standard towel, designed for full coverage and that wrap-around, just-stepped-out-of-the-shower feeling. Best if you have the space to hang and dry it properly.
• Bath Towel (approx. 70 × 140 cm)
  The everyday essential. Practical, versatile, and easy to use - generous enough to dry comfortably, without taking up too much room.
• Hand Towel (approx. 45 × 65 cm)
  Kept by the basin for frequent use. Look for something absorbent and quick to dry.
• Washcloth (approx. 30 × 30 cm)
  Small, simple, and useful. Ideal for cleansing, makeup removal, or gentle exfoliation.

When choosing sizes, think about how your space works. Larger towels feel generous, but need room to dry well. Smaller ones are easier to live with day to day.

How to Choose Towels for Your Bathroom Style

Think of towels as the accessories of your bathroom. They're one of the quickest and most effective ways to inject personality into your space.

• Spa-Like Serenity: To get that calm, peaceful atmosphere, reach for a palette of soft, muted colours. Think crisp whites, gentle creams, soft greys, and earthy tones like stone or sand.
• Vibrant Energy: If you want your bathroom to feel bright and invigorating, bold hues are your friend. Rich ocean blues, deep forest greens, or warm terracotta can add a powerful pop of colour.
• Timeless Elegance: For a classic look, you can't go wrong with deep, saturated neutrals. Colours like charcoal, navy, or even a rich espresso brown add a sense of depth and moodiness.

Explore our Super Pile Towels in a considered palette of vibrant colour and timeless neutrals.

What Makes a Towel High Quality

A high-quality towel is a combination of superior material, excellent construction, and high density. Look for these three key indicators:

1. Material: 100% long-staple cotton, such as Egyptian, Turkish or our 100% Super Pile Cotton Towels, is the gold standard for softness, absorbency, and durability.
2. Density (GSM): A GSM of 600 or higher signifies a dense, plush, and absorbent luxury towel.

Construction: Check for neatly stitched, double-turned hems. This reinforcement prevents fraying and ensures the towel holds its shape through years of washing.

How to Care for Your Towels

You’ve brought home beautiful, plush new towels. The real secret to keeping them soft and thirsty for years to come is how you care for them. The first wash is the most important. Wash new towels alone with half the usual detergent and add one cup of white vinegar to the rinse cycle. This locks in colour and strips away factory coatings.

For regular washing, use a warm (40°C) cycle with the recommended amount of detergent. Always wash towels separately from other laundry and separate your colours.

How Often You Should Replace Towels

A good rule of thumb is to assess your towels every 3-5 years. You'll know it's time to replace them when they lose their absorbency, feel scratchy or thin, or have frayed edges. A lingering musty smell even after washing is another clear sign that the fibres have broken down and it’s time for a new set.

Tips for Keeping Towels Soft and Absorbent

The number one tip is to never use fabric softener. It coats the fibres in a waxy film that repels water, destroying absorbency and creating stiffness. If your towels feel stiff, wash them with a cup of vinegar to strip away detergent buildup. Tumble drying on a low heat setting can also help fluff up the fibres, but avoid over-drying, which can make them brittle.

Common Mistakes When Buying Towels

1. Ignoring the GSM: Choosing a towel based on colour alone and ignoring the GSM can lead to disappointment. The GSM is the best indicator of a towel’s plushness and absorbency.
2. Choosing Style Over Substance: A beautiful towel that isn't absorbent or durable is a bad investment. Prioritise material (long-staple cotton) and construction (strong hems) first.
3. Buying Too Few: Not having enough towels for a proper rotation (one in use, one in the wash, one in the cupboard) leads to using damp towels and over-washing, which wears them out faster.

How to Choose the Best Towels for Your Home

Choosing the best towels for your home is a personal decision that balances comfort with practicality. Start by identifying your primary need: do you crave ultimate plushness (high-GSM cotton) or fast-drying efficiency (Turkish cotton)? From there, select a colour and style that complements your bathroom decor. By investing in high-quality materials and caring for them properly, you can transform an everyday item into a daily moment of comfort and luxury.