Dans Papers - May 18, 2007 - Laying Out In Style

The season of fun in the sun is now upon us. Wee are all looking forward to lazy days, whether spent tanning on the beach, swimming or lounging around the pool. We all spend time choosing the perfect bathing suit and should spend equal time choosing a complimentary and beneficial beach towel. You will find that it is worth the extra money to have a more durable and practical towel.

There are several things to consider when choosing a towel and it is worth it to spend extra money to have one that is more durable. When lying on the beach, there is nothing more comforting than a soft beach towel. When choosing a towel, decide whether or not you want a thicker, more comfortable towel or one that might not be as plush, but will dry quicker. This is an easy decision for someone who likes to soak up some rays rather than swimming in the ocean. Comfort will most likely prevail for the sun soaking beachgoers. Look for top quality cotton towels, and 100% Pima or 100% Egyptian cotton are typically the most comfortable. Other good grades include Supima and combed cotton. If comfort is your priority, consider velour towels. They tend to be softer and smoother than other types. An additional bonus is that they remain soft even after several washings.

If you are a swimmer or surfer, choose a towel that is thinner. Thinner towels dry quicker but also help keep us warm. You will most likely want to consider a terry towel, which is extremely absorbent. Also, terry towels are easy to wash and last a long time. Another benefit of thinner towels is that they take up less room in your beach bag. Plus, since they dry faster, they will pick up less sand. Thinner towels definitely seem to be the way to go for the practical beachgoer.

Beach towels are available in countless styles ranging from favorite sports teams, movies, cartoons, to bright patterns strategically picked to match your bathing suit. No matter what your style, it is important that the color stays vibrant throughout the grueling summer season. You will want to look for the most permanent of all dye types, which is fiber reactive. It is so permanent that you can wash your towel with lighter colors without it bleeding onto your other laundry. This is definitely a feature that is well worth the money.

Even with beach towels there are some new trends that are becoming more prevalent. One new trend is disposable beach towels. They are packed so tight that you can fit them in your pocket, even when they end up being 36 x 60 inches. Plus, they tend to be more absorbent than cotton beach towels. They are also biodegradable and therefore harmless to the environment. Another recent trend is the round towel. Instead of having to reposition your towel in the sun as the day progresses, you can easily move your body around to have the perfect angle to catch some rays. This makes complete sense, and I know I am going to have to pick one up for my summer beach trips this year.

So many choices of beach towels will certainly make it hard for one to choose theirs for this summer. Just remember what your needs are and try to consider these important factors before purchasing - durability, absorbency and softness. Go for a larger towel to ensure that all of your belongings fit comfortably on it. Not to mention, most towels will shrink a little when washed. Keep your body dry, comfortable and sand-free this summer with the ultimate summer accessory - the beach towel.