For me, packing for a day at the beach requires all of the organization of a General planning an invasion. Beach chairs, umbrellas, coolers, and totes bursting with esssential supplies… managing to carry it all to the water’s edge is quite a feat! But on a wonderful trip to the Delaware beaches this week, I employed a secret weapon – a super absorbent, but incredibly lightweight, Turkish towel from ARTEVIT.
Featherlight, this towel is flat-woven and crafted in the authentic Turkish tradition. It’s remarkably light, making it easy to carry. And, rolling it up into a tiny parcel means it takes up very little space in a beach tote, unlike a bulky terrycloth towel.
But just because it’s small doesn’t mean it can’t do the job. This towel’s tightly woven fabric makes it surprisingly absorbent. And, the weave and weight make it the quickest drying towel around. This is especially important for short trips to the seashore, since it will not hold the moisture that breeds mildew and won’t develop that dreadful musty “wet towel” smell on the trip home. In the warmth of the sun, my towel dried incredibly quickly, unlike the heavy terry version I’ve used for years.
Not only is this a quick drying towel, it practically repels sand. The long fibers of Turkish cotton provide stronger and smoother threads than regular cotton. Plus, the flat weave makes it easy to shake off any sand. If you’ve ever lugged home sand-embedded terry towels or blankets in the car, you’ll know what a huge advantage this can be.
Originating in Anatolia, Turkey, the Turkish towel, or peshtemal, has a history that stretches back over 600 years. The Turkish towel was first intended as part of the ceremonial pre-wedding bridal bath and figured prominently for the bride on memorable occasions throughout her life.
Today, the Turkish towel is perfect for beach, pool or boat. But on a daily basis, they are also wonderful for the bath. For city dwellers or those with small spaces, these towels (even oversized at 38″ x 70″) take up a fraction of space in a linen closet, unlike traditional bath towels or bath sheets.
Not all Turkish towels are created equally, however. The towel from ARTEVIT is woven from 100% Turkish cotton. It arrives pre-washed for superior softness (Bonus: Turkish cotton becomes even softer with each wash!).
The ARTEVIT towel is also 100% Oeko-Tex Certified Cotton. This means that the cotton was sustainably sourced and grown in compliance with Oeko-Tex Standards. And, it was grown without the use of harmful synthetic fertilizers or pesticides.
Pictured above is the towel is a beautiful, neutral beige. (My lovely friend Mary, who was visiting from London, acted as my model!) This same style is also available a rainbow of color options from traditional (black, dark gray, blue) to trendy (aqua, purple, turquoise). Retail on Amazon: $19.99
Now, if I could just find a decent beach chair…
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DISCLAIMER: No financial compensation was received by the manufacturers or retailers mentioned above in exchange for this post. I did, however, receive a sample of the towel shown above in order to fully test it and provide honest feedback. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I believe will be good for my readers.
PHOTOS: Original photos by Susan Said… WHAT?!
Named one of the Top 50 Beauty Blogs in the World by RebateZone.com, Susan Said… WHAT?! is your guide to a life filled with style. From must-have fashion, handbags, jewelry and accessories, to gorgeous gardens and gardening tips, stunning interior design, plus the latest products for chic parties, you’ll find it here. Editor, author and entrepreneur Susan Conforte McNeill is also the co-founder of the Delaware based literacy organization Success Won’t Wait!