Do Designer Towels Really Work Better or Am I Insane?

I have heard from someone else that Ralph Lauren towels are amazing. So, I don't think you're insane. :)

4 moms found this helpful

A flower for your question! Funny! I just decided that I was going to start purchasing the better towels even if I have to purchase 1 or 2 at a time when I catch them on sale or with a coupon, Bed Bath & Beyond always has a 20% off coupon. I will wait for answers.

3 moms found this helpful

You are probably not insane. At least based on towels : )

Some brands do work better than others. I have found this to be true with sheets. Another thing about towels...at least in my experience...new ones work better than old ones, especially if you use fabric softener.

3 moms found this helpful

They work better. Pure and simple.

It's both the materials (higher grade cotton, waaaaay more expensive...the way the threads are spun is different, way more expensive...and the weave will be different...which is more costly and time consuming to make). Two towels, can BOTH be Egyptian or Aegean cotton, but they will be different grades of cotton, different thread technique, and different weave technique.

I have $80 towels (each one is 80 bucks).

I go to my mum's house and her $10 towels PISS me off. It's like the stupid things *repel* water instead of absorbing it. And they leave fuzzies. And I need 2-3 of them. And they are just annoying, pure and simple.

Why do I buy $80 towels? Because I used a friend's expensive towels many, many years ago and had the same "WHAT?!?" experience you just had.

Mine aren't Ralph Lauren. What they are, is really, really good towels. That are on their 9th year looking, feeling, and acting brand new. Getting washed 3 times a week sometimes (my husband KEEPS dropping them on the floor. by. the. toilet. Eeeew! Gross!! Not gonna change. I've given up. Any I find on the floor by the toilet go to the wash, although I wash "all" towels once a week, plain fact is that they're often on round 3 by that time)

Mine are 2ply (yes, towels can be woven single or double ply, but it's not like toilet paper with two sheets, it's *double the fabric* but they're woven together as a single sheet), 100% Aegean, ringspun, woven in Turkey, sold out of a London distributor (hint, the brits have faaaar more guidelines on fabrics than we do). LuxeSpa that either Bed Bath & Beyond or Linnens&Things carry as their top of the line towel.

3 moms found this helpful

I like plushy towels... I don't like to pay full price, though...
I like Ralph Lauren sheets, but can't afford them.
Some designer items are better, but some aren't. It just depends. I usually find them on the cheap....
LBC

3 moms found this helpful

Most times what you will find with the Ralph Lauren towels and other high-end brand ones is that they ARE a higher quality, more cotton and more thread count...they absorb more and last longer.

The one thing I usually do splurge on is the towels, wash clothes and sheets for my family. I typically buy the higher quality because I don't replace them for YEARS...like the sheets on my bed...I just bought two new sets...on sale..the last time i did that? 10 years ago.

Towels? I usually buy the bamboo washclothes and towels...higher quality...last time I bought new towels? I put them on layaway and bought the thick, high thread count M. Stewart brand at K-Mart. Donated my old ones...

2 moms found this helpful

My guess is it does a better job because it is newer. Although, it may be bigger in size...so that is another reason.

2 moms found this helpful

I'm not sure it really has to do with designer labels, as much as it has to do with being an "upper end" product. I don't buy much designer stuff (certainly not towels) but I do know that a towel from a high end department store is better quality, and lasts a lot longer, than towels from Walmart.

I have a lot of towels as extras, too. I wouldn't give one of my good towels to my kids to take on trips for anything! They lose too much stuff!!!

D.

2 moms found this helpful

Yes it has to do with the material....and they do work better :)

2 moms found this helpful

I'd bet it has to do with the cotton content, & I'd assume more cotton=higher price.
I have also learned that using fabric softener on towels really makes them less effective.

1 mom found this helpful

Many moons ago I worked in the bed and bath department at Bloomingdales. Yes, there really is a difference in quality. Charisma towels are wonderful, much better than Ralph Lauren. I haven't been there in a while, but Costco was carrying some of the Charisma line (the Charisma bedding is also excellent). Another wonderful brand is Christy. Expensive, but if you want to splurge, it's a great choice. I miss those days of indulgence!

And yes - do NOT use fabric softener on towels. It makes them less effective at absorbing water.

I have to say yes. I have several Fieldcrest towels that are 39 years old and still going strong. They are the bath sheets (look like beach towel size) and they are so absorbent.

So go and spend the money. You won't replace them every three to four years and you will get your money's worth.

Enjoy wrapping up in one towel and drying off - pure luxury.

The other S.

Wow sounds nice. Word of caution only: The nicer the towel, the worse they seem to stain with facial cleansing products. I use benzoyl peroxide on my face and when I wipe my hands on a towel, nice towels it bleaches, sucky towels it doesn't bleach. I don't get it, but the cheap towels from walmart (maroon ones) DON'T stain. But nice plush towels (Kohls) DO get bleached out. So when I go to my MIL's house, she gets out the crappy old towels for me to wipe my hands on. I have to be extra-careful to not bleach her nice new towels!

I usually buy towels at Home Goods and they carry some high end products. They have a "hotel" collection that I usually buy (with great prices I might add) and I have to say they dry much better than mid range priced products. I used to buy at Macy's, Target, Sears but I found these with their egyptian cotton and man I haven't looked back.