Towels can be first traced back to 17th century Turkey, where handwoven sheets of cotton or linen called “Peshtamel” were used in Ottoman bathhouses frequented by the nobility. In the 21st century, towels have become a staple in modern living. Yet, all towels were not created equal!

Other than softness, feel and absorbance, the quality of a towel typically ascertained by its Gram per Square Meter (GSM). The GSM is largely dependent on its material (cotton/linen percentage), as well as the density and length of its pile/terry.

As there are three yarns in a towel, two of them make the ground of towel and the 3rd most important one makes the pile/terry of towel. Lower quality can be used for the ground but the pile or terry should be of good quality to improve the quality of the towel. Especially the fabric that is produced for Cotton Terry Bathrobes, where you don’t see the ground yarns nor they have any effect on absorbency, the 3rd yarn is the most important.

It doesn’t matter where the towel is being produced, either in Pakistan or in China, in India, in Turkey or elsewhere, the use of yarn determines the class of towel. Use of double yarn in pile increases the look as double yarns keep standing even after dyeing or washing.

The cotton used is the biggest determinant of quality in not only towels, but any kind of fabric. Our highest quality towels are made from Bamboo cotton, followed by a collection made from Zero Twist Egyptian Cotton. For consumers on a budget, we have lines made from uncombed cotton and twisted pair cotton.

In the regular household, 400-450 GSM towels are typically used, however Aica prides itself for being the purveyor of 550 GSM and above, export quality towels that are used in our own resorts as well as luxury hotels around the world such as Waldorf Astoria and the Ritz Carlton.
Explore our range of luxury bathroom essentials here: LINK