What’s the Difference Between a Towel With and Without a Dobby Border?
Towels with dobby borders often last longer since the weave adds structure, thus helping the towel hold its shape. However, low-end dobby borders can shrink or pucker if they’re not properly pre-shrunk or stitched. So, whether to buy towels with a dobby border comes down to the quality of the towel you’re buying and your personal preference.
“Towels without a dobby border are usually larger and have a more modern feel, but could also be more prone to fraying or curling at the ends,” says designer Gretchen Rivera.
Do Towels With Dobby Borders Cost More?
Sometimes towels with dobby borders are more expensive because of the additional weaving process, though usually, the difference is marginal unless there are complex patterns or specialty yarns involved, like metallic threads. Often, luxury brands have dobby borders, too, and those will cost more as well.
“Dobby towels often also use a higher quality of cotton, so for the extra cost, you’re getting a more durable towel,” says Rivera. “It’s the towel equivalent of upgrading from flip-flops to loafers: still functional, just a bit more polished.
