Three reasons we love the stylish Turkish towel

The Turkish bath is a celebrated tradition which dates back centuries and remains popular across the globe. So it's not surprising that the Turks would know a thing or two about creating the perfect towel to accompany this special ritual.

Turkish towels—which are also known as pestemals—are hand-woven from linen, cotton or organic bamboo and coloured using vegetable dye. They are lightweight, super absorbent and dry very quickly, making them a practical and stylish alternative to traditional terry cloth towels. They're the perfect summer staple – easy to roll up for an on-the-go beach blanket or towel, and to use at home as a light summer throw. It's no wonder that this handy accessory is already popular on the beaches of Cannes and St. Tropez.

While I've yet to come across them in local shops, I've found a fantastic selection online in a wide range of colours, patterns and styles. BathStyle, The Peshtemal Shop and The Turkish Towel Store are some of my favourites to browse.