A couple of my towels hanging up in the bathroom.

Many years ago whilst on holiday I admired a couple who wore beautiful sarongs around the pool, they also used them as towels and they were perfect palest blues and grey stripes. When I returned home I was determined to track them down. Unsure what they were called and not seeing anything similar in UK shops I was stumped. Then one day out on a visit to a small town in north Devon I came across a shop selling beautiful bathwares and there on the shelves were my towels. I immediately asked the shop assistant about them, who told me they were called Peshtemal .

Traditionally used in Turkish baths the Peshtemel is a thin towel made from 100% cotton but with high absorbency. They are really lightweight and are therefore perfect to pack to take on holiday. Even though they are really thin, they are incredibly absorbent and get softer and better with every wash.

I also wear them around the pool or to and from the beach. Some of the larger, thicker sizes also work perfectly as a wrap or a throw on the sofa for chilly, snuggle nights. You could even use them as table cloths or as picnic blankets. They come in an array of colours (usually striped) and also plain white which I love in my home. People always comment on them when they see them hanging up, a really stylish alternative to the traditional fluffy towels we are used to in this country.

pictures from Pinterest

They are also really good value for money, very affordable and continue to look wonderful for a long time. The best place I have found to buy them is of course that well known auction site !