Design
The Case Against White Towels – Colorful Towels For The Win In Both Function And Style
Listen, the “Big Towel” industry has been telling us a lie about white towels for decades, in order to make us buy new towels every year. I’m onto them. As I’ve been on my annual “Whole home-re-org, 2026” (heavily fueled by the stress of the news), I was confronted with all my gross white towels and wanted to rant about it again on a public forum. A brand new white towel is such a luxury and truly does look fantastic in a bathroom, but they just don’t last as long. Now, I want to give the caveat that I also like self-tanner or spray tans (yes, year-round – the winter mood boost!). So mine probably lasts way less than most people’s. But still, unless your white towels are in the guest room and used infrequently, they will look dingy and old within a year. And maybe that’s fine, but while re-orging, I had so many gray, blue, green, or pink towels that are 3 years old that are still fine (not awesome, not good enough for shoots, but good enough for us), but all the whites were DISGUSTING. Meanwhile, the patterned and colorful towel industry has exploded, and I’m here as their unpaid spokesperson. So instead of a white towel, do this:
Solid Colorful Towels
Now, a colorful towel certainly is not new to the scene, so this category will be brief and only include those that we’ve used, like, and can recommend.
Waffle towels have a prettier texture, but I’ve found the weave can get pulled easier (but not that big of a deal, just good to know). We used those pretty copper ones in my brother’s upstairs guest bath, and they are just a fun pop!
If you want a classic plush towel, these are so pretty. I love the little fringe on the green towel for some quiet but fun detail, and those super-plush blue towels are from Brooklinen and are luxury. That price is for two towels, fyi:) Also, both of these come in a bunch of other colors. The fringe one also comes in a stunning burgundy.
Plush towels are basically a “you get what you pay for” and the cheaper they are, the scratchier they can be – faster. My Rejuvenation, Brooklinen, and Parachute towels are still softer than my Target ones after a year, but it’s not like bedding to me (which I take VERY seriously). While I love a big plush towel right out of the shower, I use it to dry off and throw on a big plush robe (which I wash FAR less, so they stay soft far longer than towels) so I’m ok with it not being the softest thing after a year and ultimateley I don’t want to replace my towels annually (seems like every two years is good enough).
These are basically “solid” with a little fun detail. I got the scalloped one for a shoot and love how much personality they bring to my bathroom. They are great. I haven’t used the green one, but I think that simple border is perfect for someone who wants a classic look with something extra.
Wait, Bath Towels Versus Bath Sheets?
This is a very personal decision based on your own habits. I, for one, don’t totally care, because I put on a robe almost immediately after toweling off. The towel serves as my dryer, the robe as my comfort. I splurge on my robe, not my towel. Sometimes bath sheets can be really big to fold and store (the size of beach towels), but a big guy who is anti-robe (like Brian) might want a sheet, not a standard towel.
Striped Towels
Suprise, suprise I love a striped towel, ha. It’s fun but simple, not overwhelming, but adds so much to a bathroom! I just don’t think you can go wrong with a classic stripe. Here are some of our favorites:
These colors are just so fun and a more on the unexpected side but they still feel neutral and versatile.
But if you are looking for a classic black and white stripe, these are great. Marlee has the IKEA one and says it’s awesome. So in that case, $13 for a full bath sheet is extremely good. The other is from Brooklinen, so I stand by the brand:)
Now, I know we have color lovers in this group so these are for you. The multi-colored one is very fun and the blue one, well, we all know I’m very attracted to that one:)
These green ones are in the shot of my bathroom above! I love the two-toned look, the fringe, and the quality is great. My spray tan and these towels will live very happily together I feel. The white and green stripe is H&M so I can’t tell you how long they will last based on the price but a deal’s a deal! And it looks great.
Love a stripe but want something with a twist? Here you go! That terry cloth bath sheet is so fun with its multi striped design. Then on the opposite side of the stripe game, these mint towels are so darling with that little stripe edge.
Other Patterned Towels We Love
I feel that patterned towels are having a resurgence and I am very happy about it. I mean look at these patterned towels that Kaitlin used in her daughters’ bathroom! They are currently out of stock but don’t worry, here are other great options…
While I didn’t end up using them in my home, those plush Turkish towels feel sooooo cozy. If my bathroom were a different style I would absolutely use these. And how cute are these “wavy” patterned towels?! I love that the colors are a little more muted but still so fun.
Let’s talk gingham because it’s an excellent pattern for any textile. I am clearly a green lover but each of these give off a different vibe. The soft toned one on the right feels a little more classic while that bath sheet is still “traditional” but the bright kelly green feels really fresh and almost “pop-y”.
A checkered pattern is another no-fail option. Here are two good options that are really similar at two different pricepoints.
This two-tone checkered bath sheet is so so pretty. The design was inspired by traditional Katazome stencil practices. It looks really special. Then those windowpane towels are also so great!
If you want to go a little bolder in the pattern, how fun is are those floral ones. Kaitlin (photographer:)) has them for years as handtowels and says they have held up great! The geometric pattern on the other towel is also inspired by traditional Katazome stencil practices. It’s a little hard to tell but the colors are olive and eccru which I really love.
Hope this was helpful and inspired you to move away from white towels (if you too are over how quickly how gross they get). So go forth and enjoy colorful and patterned towels to make your bathroom even more fun.
Design and Photo by Kaitlin Green | From: Kaitlin’s Primary Bathroom Reveal
SHOPSHOP THE POST
West Elm
WAFFLE TOWEL
37.00
World Market
COTTON WAFFLE TOWEL
$17
Anthropologie
PLUSH TURKISH COTTON TOWEL
$40
Brooklinen
SUPER-PLUSH BATH TOWEL
$99
West Elm
DIAGONAL RIBBED TOWELS
$20
Parachute
SOFT RIB TOWEL
$59
Anthropologie
SCALLOP EDGE BATH TOWEL
$32
Bed Threads
TWO-TONED BATH TOWEL
$70
Parachute
ORGANIC RESORT STRIPE TOWEL
$59
AllModern
SIMPLE STRIPED BATH TOWEL
$49
IKEA
SLÅNHÖSTMAL BATH SHEET
$13
Brooklinen
STRIPED SUPER-PLUSH BATH TOWEL
$105
Baggu
REVERSIBLE BATH TOWEL
$46
H&M
BLUE STRIPED BATH TOWEL
$15
Anthropologie
PEMBROKE STRIPE COTTON TOWEL
$40
H&M
THICK STRIPE BATH TOWEL
$15
TBCo
TERRY COTTON BATH SHEET
$112
Anthropologie
SLOANE PORTUGUESE TOWEL
$40
Pigeon Toe Ceramics
PLUSH TURKISH TOWEL
$68
West Elm
WAVY BLOCKS TOWEL
$33
Anthropologie
GINGHAM COTTON WOVEN TOWEL
$40
West Elm
TAM BATH SHEET
$62
Anthropologie
MATE BATH TOWEL
$45
World Market
ASTERIA CHECKERED TERRY TOWEL
$9
Slow Roads
ALMA BATH SHEET
$95
Brooklinen
WINDOWPANE BATH SHEETS
$109
Anthropologie
GIGI BATH TOWEL
$45
Slow Roads
HANNA BATH TOWEL
$95
Tell us about that post shower robe! I’m overdue for a new one
Yes, I want to know.
Love the look of colored/striped towels, but mine always look faded and sad after a few washes. I go back to white because I throw in some liquid bleach with each wash and that seems to work to keep them white. What do y’all do, wash wise, to keep your colored towels from fading? Special detergent? Cold water? Would love advice!
Replacing towels every two years seems excessive and wasteful. Is it nice to have a fully plush, brand new towel? Sure! But you’d have to be very sensitive to be bothered by a towel that’s a little rough. If you wash them well, and strip them occasionally, they can last for many, many years. When I’m in the market for new towels, I usually hit up TJMaxx or Homegoods. They often have great options at a significant discount.
Agreed. Every two years seems crazy to me. I have towels that are probably 10 years old that look and perform just fine. With a family of 4, I gave up on white towels long ago and go for colored solids. I buy mid-range, good quality towels. Not super expensive or luxurious. They last a very long time.
I also have “fancy” towels used just for guests/show that are at least 50 years old and have embroidered edges done by my grandmother who embroidered every cloth item in her home I swear, LOL. They are lovely still, though admittedly very rarely used and were originally of good quality from JC Penney waaaaaay back in the day.
If anyone is wanting to replace bath or beach towels, please consider donating the old ones to your local animal shelter/humane society. They are always in need of extra towels for the animals! Thank you in advance.
This is exactly what I do!
In the alternate reality in which I hang laundry in perfectly pressed pure white linen overlooking my (organic, hand tools only) flower farm, delighted by the sound of my 6 children ( each plays a string instrument- including the toddler, all love vegetables- especially kale) churning the day’s butter, a hand wash only towel like the alma would pose no problem.
I have machine wash, tumble dry towels. In black.
Mine are dark brown, still soft and absorbent after 8 years. Though when I had two kids at home and got tired of picking up wet towels and never having clean ones for myself, I came up with a system of one color for each person. I did laundry once a week, if your towels weren’t in the hamper they didn’t get washed.
Totally agree with you on the fun patterned towels! So much cuter and hold up better than white.
Since only a 140F (60C) wash will kill the creepy-crawlies and germs, I wash all towels and bedding (including my Blissy silk pillowcases) on the Sanitary cycle in my front loader.
I don’t use bleach but get bleach spots on my towels so often think the white towels look better.
Do people really buy new towels every 2-3 years? I have only had 4 sets in the last 30 years. Oddly, the first and last sets are the only ones that are still going strong–Lands End circa late ’90’s was quality! I appreciate this round-up of options that are so much prettier than mine–lots of stores I hadn’t heard of. My last ones are from The Loomia and they are absorbent, but thin and dry so fast, which should help them last longer.
I just replaced a white terry cloth Lands End robe after 20+ years, I hope the current quality is as good as it was!
Sadly, I found that the newer Lands’ End towels (my former go-to) only held up for a few years before they frayed. The Company Store’s towels held up better.
Many moons ago, before kids, my husband and I used to AirBnb the guest suite in our first home, which was truly the only way we could afford that house. We lived in the heart of West Hollywood, equidistant from the gay club scene and one of the best hospitals in country – so we got a fun mix of partiers for Pride and doctors doing conferences and patients flying in for consults.
One of our most memorable guests was a lovely, quiet man from Japan who had flown in for a consult and stayed for only two nights. We barely spoke but he was a perfect guest, polite and unobtrusive. We also had a mish mash of (clean) sheets and towels in the room, mostly in faded colors and patterns from our old apartments and lives.
After his stay, his review of our home said only 7 words: “It is preferred that towels are white.”
We still use gray towels for us and patterned for the kids – but since then our guest towels and sheets are always (and forever) white.
These patterned towels are super cute but I love the smell of a clean white towel washed in a little bleach.
Well, I have literally never lived with white towels my whole life! My mom had mostly pale green and pale apricot ones, I think maybe a beige set as well. Living on my own I had beachy blue and white stripes with Greek blue solids. When I got married we bought medium gray towels (my husband has a job and hobby that both are pretty grease-and-grime prone). We STILL have those 15 years later bc they are still in fairly good shape, but mainly use a sage green set starting 3ish years ago. I do love the stripes and patterns becoming so much more widespread! I lean heavily on towels and shower curtains to make a bathroom look decorated without having a bunch of stuff sitting out.
Hot tip – when you get your towels out of the dryer, grab the sides of the tighter woven bands at the ends of the towel (and the end hems too depending on the towel) and give them a good stretch sideways every time, to prevent the weird bunching over time that happens otherwise. Definitely part of why I still have 15 year old decent looking towels.
Here for the comments on this one! It strikes me as wild that towels are something people replace every year or two, but maybe I’m the crazy one? I think linens should last at least 5, possibly even 10, but I don’t have kids or use self tanner. My towels are white and from target and they’ve been fine for quite a long time.
Maybe using the unscented/undyed laundry detergent might have something to do with this? We almost never use bleach, and they never seem to get gunk built up on them.
Separately (kind of?) I think there is nothing grosser than a black towel at a hotel or airbnb. I understand why they leave a black towel for removing makeup, but I get the biggest ick from the thought of putting a mysterious black towel on my face.
All that being said… those colored waffle weaves are super cute =). Maybe it’s time for an upgrade lol.
We have hard water, tinged pink, which can build up in towels, sheets, clothing. Stripping the items every so often helps to get linens back in good shape so they don’t need to be replaced very often.
We have several Quiet Town bath sheets and hand towels–the quality is amazing and we’ve had them for 5 years. I throw them in the speed cycle with Tide detergent and sometimes a sprinkling of OxyClean powder to get rid of any mustiness. And then throw them in the dryer at high heat. What I’m saying is that I’m not gentle in caring for them and they still look and feel great; color has not faded. My other go-to is Serena & Lily North Fork towels (they only come in light blue and navy blue). They have kept their loft, softness, and color after several years.
NO WHITE TOWELS!!
This is a hill I will die on. Especially when wearing makeup or applying self tanner or being on your period or any number of things.
So great! Thanks for the round up. We need on for patterned curtains now. I’m so tired of white.
I know linen isn’t for everyone but I love my patterned and solid linen towels from Lapuan Kankurit. they are a Finnish company that I have been buying from for years. The quality is great, they’re very absorbent and dry very quickly. The colors hold up well over time too. Finnish Design Shop carries a nice selection. My favorites are the Ruusu, Terva and Nyytti.
Bought Peacock Alley navy towels a few years back and they are so wonderful!
In defense of white towels, um…bleach once in a while. Can’t do that with colored towels.How do you ever get colored towels really clean?
I’m surprised no mention of the thin Turkish towels (I think they have a specific name?). I bought a couple sets of those in the past year and absolutely love them. They dry very fast and are super absorbent and are really large so I like to drape it around myself like a cocoon after a shower. And they’re soooo much easier than a fluffy towel to wrap around my head for my long hair to dry. While not fluffy, it’s just as comforting because it lies so close to the skin. In my entire adulthood, I think I’ve only replaced towel sets maybe every 6-8 years and I find it amazing that others do it more often, although the tanner use does make sense for this.
I made a switch Turkish towels a 4-5 years ago. Love them. I found some less expensive options on Amazon, when I still had Prime for guests and my son. My Turkish towels are from The Loomia. The towels quickly dry, are huge for that bath sheet feeling without the bulk. Highly recommend.
My white Target Threshold towels are dingy after a year, but they’re also super rough. Is this a case of getting what you pay for? (Which doesn’t really make sense: it’s looped cotton. Sure, some will be softer to start, but after enough laundering, don’t they all head to the same scratchy end?)
But $40+ for ONE towel?! Do these expensive ones actually stay soft and plush and lovely for many years?
(Also yes to donating old ones to the local shelter. If I can’t bring every last one of the dogs home with me, I can at least give them some bedding.)
White towel lover here. I like a lot of colour and pattern, but not on my towels (probably because I have colour and pattern everywhere else in the bathroom). Our current set we’ve had for 7 years and I think they still look great! Coloured towels would have long faded by now as I wash them in extra hot water and always use nappy-san. Personally, I think the quality matters more than the colour – especially in terms of longevity.
Do you mean Napisan? Is it just OxiClean? Or do you use Vanish NapiSan laundry detergent?
Yes, Napisan! It’s a separate product, not detergent. Actually, I just checked and it’s actually called ‘Vanish’. Sorry, I’m Australian and we tend to use brand names as generic product names – I use it (or, rather, ‘Nappy San’, which is how I fondly think of it) as basically a generic name for an additive to whiten laundry.
My understanding is that white towels are important – even mandatory – for hotels so that it’s obvious if they are clean and stains can’t be hidden.
For home use, dark and patterned towels all the way but proper washing keeps them in good nick. I’ve got 30 years old towels that are still in very good condition and which I use frequently.
I’m a big fan of colored towels too – we had white ones for a while and they do just get dingy no matter how hard I tried to bleach, wash on hot, etc. Might also have something to do with our hard midwest water. I also hate having to use bleach so would prefer to avoid if I can. I’ve never understood why good quality cotton towels don’t get softer with age, the way cotton sheets and tshirts do? We do have some very old (like 30+ years, with 15+ of regular use) towels that my MIL sent to college with my husband, and THOSE are the softest towels in our house, although they won’t win any awards for looking nice at this point (but they’re navy, haven’t faded, and don’t show any stains – further argument for the colored towel!). Pretty sure they were very high quality department store cotton towels when she originally bought them. Maybe all of our scratchy towels were either not great quality to start with, or are in an “awkward” phase and just need to keep being washed to reach soft cotton nirvana? My more recent favorites are some beige bamboo towels from… Read more »
In the Pacific Northwest it can take forever for plush towels to dry. I switched over to ribbed natural-colored towels a few years ago. Game changer. Unfortunately, Pact no longer sells them.
My white towels were dingy till I discovered the “sanitize” setting on my washing machine. Now they stay white, even with makeup residue left to dry. I get nice towels at Costco.
White towels for the WIN. That’s all we have ever used. I wash them at 60 degrees, every now and then put in some baking soda. I’ve never had my towels looking dingy or anything other than white. Hang dry in the Aussie sun. And they last a lot longer than a few years. Buy well, take care of them and they last.