One of those details are the stripes that often decorate their surface. At first glance, they seem purely decorative, but in reality, they serve a very specific function that improves usability and extends the towel’s lifespan.
“Dobby border” and its purpose
The woven band on a towel, known in English as the dobby border, can appear once or multiple times and is always located at the ends of the towel, reports Sombor.info.
Emma Seymour from the Good Housekeeping Institute explains:
“This edge helps the towel maintain its shape because it provides more structure than terry fabric. It also prevents the material from fraying.”
Although a towel without this edge can still absorb moisture, such versions are usually less durable and have a shorter lifespan.
Stripes are more than decoration
The lines on towels are not just an aesthetic choice by designers, but the result of careful weaving techniques that serve several practical purposes:
they increase absorbency,
improve the structural stability of the towel,
create a tactile experience that gives a sense of luxury.
As the portal Upworthy notes, these lines also enhance the towel’s ability to efficiently wick away moisture. It’s a subtle but important feature that often goes unnoticed, yet plays a key role in helping towels perform their daily task flawlessly.
