A good beach towel does three jobs. It dries you quickly, it is comfortable to lie on, and it still looks decent after a summer of salt, sunscreen and the washing machine. A cheap one manages the first job for a week or two. The rest takes better materials and a bit more thought in the making.
This guide covers what to look at when choosing a luxury beach towel: weight, the difference between the two sides, size and the finish on the edges. It also explains how our Luxury Beach Towels in the New Summer 2026/27 Collection are put together.
The short version: look for a heavier weight (around 500gsm), a soft face for lying on and an absorbent reverse for drying, a size that fits an adult stretched out, and tidy finishing at the edges. Our Luxury Beach Towel has all four.
Start with the weight
Towel weight is measured in grams per square metre, or gsm. A lighter towel packs small and dries fast but can feel thin and soak up less. A heavier one feels plush and takes up more water in a single wipe, though it is bulkier to carry.
Our Luxury Beach Towels are 500gsm cotton. That sits at the plush end of the range, which is where a towel starts to feel like something you would happily use at home as well as at the beach.
Two sides, two jobs
Plenty of beach towels use the same surface on both sides. A towel with a different face and reverse can do more.
Ours has a soft velour face, which is smooth and gentle on the skin and feels good to lie on in the sun. Flip it over and the reverse is terry, the looped pile that most people think of as a proper towel, which is what you want against wet skin after a swim. Use the velour side up when you are lounging and the terry side when you are drying off.
Size: can you actually stretch out?
A beach towel that only covers your torso is a hand towel with ambitions. Measure it against how you use it. If you lie on it, you want your shoulders to your knees at least, with some margin for rolling over.
Each Luxury Beach Towel measures 162 x 90 cm, which gives an adult room to stretch out, sit up and dry off without ending up on the sand.
The details you see up close
The edge tells you a lot about how a towel was made. Ours has a scalloped edge, finished with a woven Swim Shady logo. It is a small detail, but it is the kind of finishing that separates a towel you put up with from one you like having around. It also helps it sit nicely with the rest of your gear.
What to check before you buy
| Check | Why it matters | Swim Shady Luxury Beach Towel |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Plushness and absorbency | 500gsm cotton |
| Face | Comfort to lie on | Soft velour |
| Reverse | Drying off after a swim | Absorbent terry |
| Size | Room to stretch out | 162 x 90 cm |
| Finish | How it holds up and looks | Scalloped edge, woven logo |
Three colours that match the rest of the range
The towels come in Pistachio, Limoncello and Azure, each priced at $85 AUD. They are colour matched to the new Swim Shady solo beach shades and Swim Bags, so a full set looks like it belongs together.
If you prefer a lighter, checked look, our earlier towels, including Sun Kissed, Ocean Current and Coconut Sands, are $59 AUD in the towels collection.
Pack the rest of the bag
A towel is only part of a beach setup. Roll it into a reversible beach bag, our Swim Bag, and set up under the Swim Shady solo beach shade, which is designed for one person. The shade, bag and towel are offered in matching colours.
Frequently asked questions
What does 500gsm mean on a beach towel?
It is the weight of the fabric per square metre. A higher number generally means a thicker, plusher towel. Our Luxury Beach Towels are 500gsm.
What size are your Luxury Beach Towels?
Each one measures 162 x 90 cm.
What is the difference between the two sides?
One side is soft velour, which is comfortable to lie on. The reverse is terry, which is absorbent and suits drying off after a swim.
What colours do your Luxury Beach Towels come in?
Pistachio, Limoncello and Azure.
How much is a Luxury Beach Towel?
$85 AUD at the time of writing. Check the product page for current pricing.