14 Beach Towels That Will Take You from Memorial Day to Labor Day
Courtesy of Pottery Barn
Summer weather is finally upon us, and after the year we've all had, a relaxing day at the pool or beach where we can sip on an ice-cold drink and read a juicy book is exactly what we need. Second only to sunscreen and said novel, a quality beach towel is the most important accessory in your tote bag.
If you're in the market for a new beach towel, you're in luck; we've culled together several of our favorites to help you on your search. These aren't your average boardwalk gift shop iterations—instead, we're sharing high-quality, beautiful options that will last for years. Before we dive into our top picks, however, we will leave you with this piece of advice from home improvement and lifestyle expert (and fellow beach lover) Kathryn Emery. When it comes to beach towels, size really does matter, she says. "While an average bath towel is 27-by-52 inches, an average beach towel is 30-by-70 inches. Some oversized ones are even larger," says Emery. "Go big, which will give you nice real estate on the sand." Ahead, our favorite beach towels to get you through the summer season.
Top Picks
Related: Your Complete Guide to Being Safe in the Sun
Multi-Purpose Pack
If you want the best bang for your buck, consider a pack of multi-use towels that are suited for the bath and the beach, like this set of six that comes in 11 different colorways.
Shop Now: JML Microfiber Beach Towels, $41.99 for set of six, amazon.com.
Cabana Stripes
This is the perfect option if you want to feel like you are lounging poolside at a chic Miami resort. The absorbent fabric has 630 GSM (grams per square meter), compared to the 250 to 450 GSM found in most beach towels.
Shop Now: Laguna Beach Textile Co. Cabana Towel, $39, verishop.com.
Geometric Turquoise
This set of two has a vibrant geometric design, which is more modern-looking than your traditional striped beach towel.
Shop Now: Martha Stewart Riviera Geo Beach Towels, $51.99 for set of two, target.com.
Lemon Watercolor
If you want to make a statement on the sand, this Rebecca Atwood beach towel, with an all-over lemon print, is the perfect pick.
Shop Now: Rebecca Atwood Lemon Pool Towel, $39.50, potterybarn.com.
Spa-Inspired
Transport yourself to the beaches of Mallorca, Spain, with this plush striped towel made from Turkish Aegean cotton.
Shop Now: Serena & Lily "Mallorca" Beach Towel, $68, serenaandlily.com.
Marigold Tassels
If you're on the hunt for a brightly-hued luxury iteration under $70, then you'll love this gold one from Anthropologie.
Shop Now: Anthropologie "Stephanie" Beach Towel, $69, anthropologie.com.
Sweet Clementines
This citrus-themed towel has a supportive and soft poly/microfiber front and a terry cotton back that's perfect for resting on rocky or hard-packed sand beaches.
Shop Now: Society6 Clementines Beach Towel, $31.99, society6.com.
Rosy Stripes
A blush pink beach towel is best paired with a cold glass of rosé (or any pink drink of your choice).
Shop Now: Business & Pleasure Co. Beach Towel, $69, revolve.com.
Organic Palm Leaf
This organic cotton towel with a tropical palm leaf motif looks much more expensive than it actually is.
Shop Now: West Elm Palm Leaf Beach Towel, $17.70, westelm.com.
Turkish Stripes
If you want a classic Turkish towel, this striped one from Pottery Barn is perfect for all your outdoor lounging needs, whether you're picnicking or poolside.
Shop Now: Pottery Barn Turkish Striped Beach Towel, $29.50, potterybarn.com.
Sunset Waves
This absorbent towel from beloved bedding brand Brooklinen has an artsy print that's inspired by the ocean—with a '70s twist.
Shop Now: Brooklinen Sunset Beach Towel, $65, brooklinen.com.
Mediterranean Flatweave
Do you prefer a flat-weave towel instead of a fluffy one? This Mediterranean-inspired option from Coyuchi is ultra-absorbent, making it ideal for the beach or the bath.
Shop Now: Coyuchi Mediterranean Organic Towel, $68, coyuchi.com.
Extra Plush
If you want to splurge on the luxurious beach towel of your dreams, this is it; it's super-sized and gorgeous, with outstanding drying power to boot.
Shop Now: Lido Beach Towel, $190, frette.com.
Morning Sunrise
Looking for something that is thin enough to roll up into your beach bag, but is also oversized? This sunrise towel from Sand Cloud is your best bet.
Shop Now: Sand Cloud Sunrise Towel, $48, sandcloud.com.
