What Is the Strip at the Bottom of Towels Called?
The woven stripe near the edge of your bath towel is called a dobby border.
The name comes from the dobby loom, a type of loom that uses a special mechanism to lift and lower selected warp threads, allowing weavers to create simple geometric patterns in the fabric — things like checks, stripes and diamonds.
The term “dobby” itself traces back to “draw boy,” an old word for the assistant who helped operate early looms. Over time, the dobby mechanism replaced that manual role, and the name stuck.
You might also see dobby borders described as:
- Dobby weave
- Decorative border
- Woven band or woven trim
- Decorative band
However it’s labeled, we’re talking about the same thing: that denser, patterned strip near one or both ends of the towel.
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What Does a Dobby Border Actually Do?
Yes, a dobby border adds a decorative touch — but it’s more than just a pretty detail.
Because the weave in that band is denser and less absorbent than the rest of the towel, it can help the towel:
- Hold its shape better: The structured band helps keep the towel from stretching, sagging or shrinking unevenly after repeated washes.
- Resist fraying at the edges: That reinforced area can reduce curling, fraying and distortion along the ends.
- Handle heavy use: In hotels, gyms and spas, dobby borders help towels withstand frequent washing and drying.
- Hang neatly: The denser band adds a bit of weight and structure, which can make towels easier to hang smoothly on a bar or clothesline.
“Plus, it offers a touch of design variation without printing or dyeing and often serves as a brand signature in luxury towels,” says product developer Belinda Jacobs. In other words, some brands use the dobby border as a quiet logo.
There is a catch, though: on cheaper towels, that same dense band can shrink or pucker more than the rest of the fabric, leaving the border wrinkled, wavy or “pulled” after washing.
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