Towels With vs. Without a Dobby Border
So is a dobby border a sign of quality… or a problem waiting to happen? It depends.
Towels With a Dobby Border
When done well, a dobby border can be a plus:
- More structure: The reinforced band helps the towel keep its shape over time.
- Better durability: Edges are less likely to curl or fray.
- Polished look: The patterned strip adds a subtle, hotel-style design detail.
On lower-end towels, though, the border can be the weak link. If it’s not properly pre-shrunk or well-stitched, you may notice:
- The band shrinking more than the rest of the towel.
- Visible puckering or bunching along the edge.
- Uncomfortable stiffness in the border compared with the soft terry.
Towels Without a Dobby Border
Designer Gretchen Rivera notes that towels without a dobby border can feel more minimal and modern, and they sometimes come out slightly larger because the entire length is full terry cloth.
However, without that extra structure at the ends, they can be:
- More prone to fraying over time.
- More likely to curl at the corners and edges.
So the choice isn’t “good vs. bad” — it’s about the overall quality of the towel and your preference for look and feel.
Continue reading on the next page 👇
