Do Towels With Dobby Borders Cost More?
Because dobby borders require an extra weaving step, towels that have them can sometimes cost a little more. The price difference is usually small unless the design is very intricate or uses special materials.
Factors that can drive up the cost include:
- Complex patterns in the border (like detailed geometrics).
- Specialty yarns, such as metallic or decorative threads.
- Higher-grade cotton used throughout the towel.
- Premium or luxury branding.
“Dobby towels often also use a higher quality of cotton, so for the extra cost, you’re getting a more durable towel,” Rivera says. “It’s the towel equivalent of upgrading from flip-flops to loafers: still functional, just a bit more polished.”
Should You Look For or Avoid Dobby Borders?
There’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Instead, use the dobby border as one clue in judging overall quality:
- On a well-made towel, a dobby border often means better structure, durability and a more finished look.
- On a cheap towel, a stiff, puckered or badly sewn border is a red flag that the whole towel may not hold up well.
The next time you’re shopping for towels, don’t just squeeze them for softness — take a second to inspect that band at the bottom. It can tell you a lot about how that towel is going to look and perform after dozens of washes.
