For those heading to sunnier climes this summer, you’ll no doubt have started thinking about the holiday essentials to pack.
From bikinis and cooling linen clothing, to the really important stuff like sunglasses, a sun hat and a good thrilling read, there’s one thing you don’t want to forget - a beach towel.
Unlike a bathroom towel, beach towels are designed specifically for your holiday needs.
If your holiday schedule consists of lounging by the pool, dipping your toes in the water and sipping one cocktail after another, you’ll want a highly absorbent towel that dries quickly - no one likes sitting in the damp patch.
But if you’re planning to enjoy the sun, sea and sand on the beach, you’ll want a thinner towel that’s big enough to stretch out on.
For the more adventurous who love being on the move, a microfibre towel will be your best friend as they are small, lightweight and quick drying - perfect for stowing in a backpack as you travel to your next exciting destination.
We’ve rounded up the weirdest, wackiest and most wonderful towels that you can shop right now.
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NOTHS Beach Towel
What better way to locate your towel in an amongst the crowded beach than with a touch of personalisation? This 100 per cent cotton towel comes in three different colours - stripes of navy, grey and mint - and allows for up to seven characters to be embroidered on the corner. There’s a huge array of fonts and colours for the personalisation element, making the £30 price tag well worth it. It would also make a lovely gift.
Buy now £30.00, NOTHS
Dock & Bay Quick Dry Beach Towel
If fast drying towels is what you’re after for your next holiday, look no further than Dock & Bay’s Quick Dry Beach Towel Summer Collection which dries three times faster than an ordinary cotton towel and is entirely sand free. Despite it being super absorbent, there are no damp smells and it retains its qualities even after several washes. The elastic hook is useful to aid in the drying process, and the handy pouch included is the perfect way to carry round this compact and lightweight towel. There’s also the option for personalisation with initials or words for an additional fee.
Buy now £24.99, Amazon
Djerf Avenue Fruit Towel
It-girl and design queen Matilda Djerf has created the most adorable, cottagecore beach towel out there. Adorned with her brand’s signature hand-painted fruit print, this super soft and cosy towel is as functional as it is gorgeous. Made from organic terry cotton, this towel also has a handy loop at the side for easy drying.
Buy now £59.00, Djerf Avenue
Pure Cotton Happy Days Beach Towel
This beach towel from M&S embraces cheerful bright shades to the max. The rainbow design and ‘Happy Days’ slogan is guaranteed to brighten your holiday even if the sun isn’t shining. At 450 GSM it’s impressively absorbent and soft to touch. The StayNew™ technology ensures your towel keeps its colour and smoothness wash after wash.
Buy now £12.50, M&S
Burger beach towel
You know what they say: sun’s out, (burger) buns out. For fans of novelty kitsch, turn heads at the beach with this round towel, which also comes in doughnut, pizza and cupcake shapes as well as this juicy hamburger design. The thin material means it’s lightweight and easily portable - it folds up well and can be stored in the smallest of beach bags. The round shape makes it perfect for the beach as there’s plenty of space to sunbathe as well as place clothes and electronics on so they don’t get covered in sand.
Buy now £12.99, The Range
Go Emu Sustainable Star Towels
With sustainability at the front and centre of everyone’s mind, Go Emu has created a microfibre towel that is crafted from 100 per cent recycled plastic. Each towel is made from 50 bottles and is a split of polyester and polyamide.
Weighing a mere 420g, it’s perfect to take for travels, to the beach or to exercise classes. What’s more is that despite its large size (200 cm x 90cm), it’s incredibly easy to fold away and store in the small pouch provided. There are six colours to choose from that all feature the eye-catching star print.
Buy now £32.00, Go Emu
Missoni Home set of two Adam cotton-terry towels
For the utmost luxury, this set of two cotton-terry towels from Missoni is surprisingly good value. Woven with the house’s iconic technicolour zig zags in a mixture of warm and cool tones with neatly hemmed edges, you’ll certainly be able to spot your pal on the other side of the beach with these towels.
Buy now £79.00, MatchesFashion
Out To Sea Beach Towel
One for the eco-conscious among us, this 100 per cent cotton beach towel is Oeko-Tex certified, meaning it has been made using eco-friendly production methods and is free from over 300 harmful chemicals, toxins and irritants. Measuring a hefty 173x89cm, this is a towel for serious beach-goers who want a little bit more coverage.
Buy now £58.00, Anthropologie
Luxe Games Towel Terracotta
Game on! This ingenious beach towel doubles up as a chess or checkerboard for beach-time fun, without the hassle. Though slightly on the pricier side, it is printed with 32 squares to represent a game board as well as a ziplock EVA back to store the chess and checkers pieces.
Buy now £28.00, Brand Alley
