Turkish towels - pestemal

[wowfudge]

Hi - just wanted to let you know about these (no, I am not advertising and have no vested interest in any way!). They are also sometimes called 'hammam towels'.

I was browsing the internet for new beach towels last week and stumbled upon these - they look like pashminas/sarongs, are around the size of a large bath sheet and are usually made of cotton, but you can get them in linen and even silk. They are very fine and thin, but advertised as very absorbent. If you are packing for a holiday, they take up far less room and weigh a lot less than towelling beach towels. That was what appealed to me, especially as we're only going for a week and have a 15kg luggage allowance each.

Anyway, I ordered a couple and they arrived this week direct from Turkey. I've washed and dried them before use and have now tested them - they do work. No, it's not them same as wrapping yourself in a cosy, thick towel, but perfect for using on the beach. Very absorbent. Because they are thin they dry really quickly too. I'm impressed - I'd never heard of them before.

Just thought I would share that.

[NerfHerder]

They always look lovely and soft (well- they do in the Toast catalogue and 'lifestyle' supplements! )

Are they a good size, though, as I do love a properly large, bath sheet-sized towel.

[WildThong]

By coincidence, I noticed that loads of people had these on the beach in Ibiza this year. Looked lovely too.

[gildedlily]

I love these. They pack small, dry quickly and double up as a shawl on the beach if it turns chilly.

[wowfudge]

Easily as big as a proper bath sheet and soft after one wash - they are supposed to improve over the first few washes. You can buy mega ones which are sometimes sold as picnic blankets.

I got some stripy ones - 2 for a set price with 'free' delivery off Amazon. I read loads of reviews before I bought any.

We're going to Greece in a few weeks - I'm tempted to get a couple more as the towels in the accommodation over there are often little bigger than hand towels!

[Pinkfizzy]

Ooh wowfudge, do you mind linking to amazon towels? I'm upto my eyes moving out/builders coming in & need to get a couple.

Thank you!

[wowfudge]

Will pm you Pinkfizzy.