White Classic Quick Dry Luxury Bath Towels, 4-Pack

While towels are a fundamentally practical purchase, they also offer a lot of room for creative expression, as well as for pampering yourself. Though most towels are made of cotton, there are a variety of cotton types, twist levels, weaves and stitching to take into consideration that, when picked well, can deliver a true luxury experience.

A basic parameter for towels is their GSM value, or grams per square meter. This measures the density of the towel and is a good indicator of absorbency, drying time and plushness. High GSM towels are more dense, generally more plush and both absorb more water and dry faster. GSM ranges from 300 to 900. However, lightweight towels are not necessarily inferior.

In the world of luxury bath towels, Turkish towels are frequently referenced. Turkish towels, also called peshtemals, hammans and foutas, have a few defining characteristics that make them desirable and luxurious. They are made from 100% Turkish cotton, which is a longer-fiber cotton that leads to lighter, thinner, softer and more absorbent towels. Turkish towels are typically also larger than conventional bath towels.

When choosing luxury towels, look for a high GSM or the Turkish designation to get that hotel-quality, spa-like experience at home.

• A vulnerable area of a towel that often struggles to keep up with multiple machine washes is the edges. These tend to shrink over time, causing unsightly puckering along the towel.
• Look for edging that is double-stitched or reinforced.
• Check if towels are compatible with fabric softener before buying and washing. Some towels will be damaged by fabric softener, becoming less plush and soft.
• While many luxury towels are of the larger Turkish dimensions or similar, they may not be appropriate for all buyers or situations. Petite buyers in particular may wish to opt for standard-size luxury towels.