Prepared by: the Thirsty Towels editorial team. Facts on cotton, sun safety and moisture control are checked against the government and research sources listed at the end.
What is the short summary of this guide?
A peştemal is a flat woven Turkish cotton cloth that works as a towel, sarong, dress, scarf, shawl, hair wrap and sling. You can wear it eight ways with one knot or fewer, and a standard 90 x 170 cm size covers most of them.
- Best all round size: 90 x 170 cm. Choose 100 x 180 cm only for the halterneck dress.
- Why it works: a flat weave has no terry loops, so it lies close to the body and holds a knot.
- Sun safety: a peştemal is a cover up, not a replacement for shade and sunscreen. The CDC advises seeking shade between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
- Care: wash at 30 to 40 °C, skip fabric softener and dry it fully. The EPA advises drying damp items within 24 to 48 hours to prevent mold.
- Quick pick: browse the Turkish towels collection to find your size and weave.
What is a peştemal and where does it come from?
A peştemal (also spelled pestemal, and called a fouta in North Africa) is a flat woven cotton cloth that began as the wrap and drying cloth of the Turkish bath, or hamam. According to a U.S. Air Force feature on Turkish bathing, hundreds of hamams were built and restored by Seljuk and Ottoman Turks, and a typical bath has three sections, including an entrance hall used for changing and resting after washing.
Bathers needed a cloth that was light enough to knot around wet skin, absorbent enough to dry them and quick to dry in a damp room. Modern peştemals keep those traits. Many are woven from Turkish cotton, sometimes blended with linen or silk. If you want to see the range, start with the spa and hamam accessories collection.
Why does a peştemal drape and hold a knot better than a terry towel?
A peştemal drapes better because its tight flat weave has no raised loops, so it adds far less bulk and folds cleanly at the hips and waist. A terry towel uses looped yarn to trap water, which adds volume and makes it slippery to knot.
- Flat weave versus terry loops: the flat structure lies against the body without bunching. For a deeper look at towel weight, read what GSM means in towels.
- Fiber length: in a USDA Agricultural Research Service paper, upland cotton fibers range from 22.4 to 33.3 mm, while Pima fibers range from 31.8 to 50.8 mm, and Pima is described as producing longer, stronger and finer fibers. Longer fibers make smoother, stronger yarn, which is why makers of quality peştemals favor long staple cotton. To compare cotton types, see Turkish vs Egyptian cotton.
- Fringe: the knotted fringe at both ends adds a little weight to the edges, which helps the cloth hang straight and keeps the hem from curling upward.
Which peştemal size should you buy?
Buy 90 x 170 cm (about 35 x 67 in) if you want one size for most styles. Move up to 100 x 180 cm (about 39 x 71 in) only if the halterneck dress is your main use, because it needs the extra overlap.
| Size | Best for | Why |
|---|---|---|
| 50 x 100 cm (hand towel scale) | Scarf, shawl accent | Little bulk around the neck. |
| 80 x 160 cm | Hair wrap, light shawl | Wraps the head or shoulders without excess fabric. |
| 90 x 170 cm | Sarong, toga, shoulder wrap, mini wrap, sling | Best balance of packability and fabric for a clean tie. |
| 100 x 180 cm | Halterneck dress, beach lounging | Extra overlap for full length coverage. |
What are the 8 best ways to wear a peştemal?
The eight styles below run from the simplest single knot wrap to a hands free sling. Each answer gives the result first, then the steps.
1. How do you tie a side knot sarong?
Wrap the peştemal around your hips and tie the two top corners in a double knot over one hip. This gives a midi wrap skirt that suits coastal lunches, markets and boat transfers.
Steps: Hold the cloth horizontally behind your back at the waist. Bring your right side across the front to your left hip, then bring the left side over it. Double knot the corners over the hip bone. Fold the top edge down about 5 cm (2 in) over the knot to hide it and lock the tension. Pair it with slide sandals and a tucked in linen shirt.
2. How do you make a halterneck sundress?
Position the top edge under your armpits and tie the corners behind your neck. This turns a full length 100 x 180 cm peştemal into a breezy backless dress with no other layers.
Steps: Hold the cloth behind your back with the upper hem under your arms. Pull both top corners forward across the bust and cross the right over the left once. Twist them together once more, take both tips behind your neck and finish with a flat square knot. Leave it loose for an A line shape or belt it at the waist.
3. How do you drape a one shoulder Grecian toga dress?
Drape the cloth vertically over one shoulder, then knot the front and back edges at the opposite waist. It works for dinners and poolside gatherings where a plain sarong feels too casual.
Steps: Place the peştemal over your left shoulder with about one third hanging down your back and two thirds down your front. Gather the front edge under your right armpit, bring the back edge forward under the same arm and knot both at your right waist. Keep the shoulder drape wide like a cap sleeve or roll it into a narrow band.
4. How do you fold a peştemal into an infinity travel scarf?
Tie two diagonal corners together to make one large loop, then twist and double it around your neck. It adds a light warm layer on planes and trains without taking carry on space.
Steps: Knot the top left and bottom right corners tightly. Put the loop over your head with the knot at the back of your neck. Twist the loop into a figure eight, pass it over your head again and fluff both layers to hide the knot.
5. How do you wear a peştemal as an evening shoulder wrap?
Open it to full width, drape it over your shoulders and toss one end over the opposite shoulder. It replaces a sweater on breezy evenings. Sand, olive, charcoal and cream shades look best. Because a wrap covers your arms and back, it also helps with sun cover when the light is still strong.
Steps: Drape it squarely across your upper back with both ends hanging in front. Throw the left end over your right shoulder, or tuck both top corners under your elbows for a capelet look.
6. How do you tie a bandeau mini wrap?
Fold the peştemal in half lengthwise before wrapping. This raises the hem from calf to mid thigh and doubles the fabric, which improves opacity in strong sun.
Steps: Wrap the folded cloth firmly around your hips, pull the top corners toward your navel and either tie a center knot or tuck the outer corner deep into the waistband fold. It suits swimming, paddleboarding and casual beach cafés.
7. How do you use a peştemal as a post swim hair wrap?
Flip your wet hair forward, wrap the cloth around it, twist from forehead to tip, then flip the column back and tuck the tail in at the base of your skull. The light, flat cloth is easier to balance on your head than a thick towel. If your skin or scalp is easily irritated, see our guide to the best bath towels for sensitive skin.
8. How do you tie a cross body sling or meditation wrap?
Run the upper edge under your left armpit and knot the two top corners over your right shoulder. It leaves both arms free and covers your chest and back on walks, yoga sessions and market strolls.
Steps: Hold the cloth horizontally across your chest, bring one corner over your back and one across your chest, then knot them firmly at the crest of the shoulder.
How do the 8 styles compare at a glance?
The table below shows coverage, best setting and the smallest size that works for each style.
| Style | Coverage | Best setting | Minimum size |
|---|---|---|---|
| Side knot sarong | Waist to calf | Beach clubs, coastal walks | 90 x 170 cm |
| Halterneck dress | Chest to ankle | Poolside lunch, resort dining | 100 x 180 cm |
| Grecian toga | Shoulder to knee | Sunset terrace, casual dinner | 90 x 170 cm |
| Infinity scarf | Neck and upper chest | Airports, air conditioned rooms | Any size |
| Shoulder wrap | Back, shoulders, arms | Evening dining, breezy venues | 90 x 170 cm |
| Bandeau mini | Hips to mid thigh | Swimming, paddleboarding | 90 x 170 cm |
| Hair wrap | Head and hair | After bath, spa, morning routine | 80 x 160 cm |
| Cross body sling | Torso and one shoulder | Morning yoga, open markets | 90 x 170 cm |
Which style and size do we recommend for your situation?
For most people we recommend one 90 x 170 cm peştemal in a solid natural shade such as sand, olive or charcoal. It covers seven of the eight styles. Add a second, larger piece only if you want the halterneck dress. Shop ready to wear options in the resort wear collection or the beach and resort wear collection.
| If you want | Our pick | Size | Tip |
|---|---|---|---|
| One piece for travel | Side knot sarong plus shoulder wrap | 90 x 170 cm | Choose a solid neutral to pair with anything. |
| A beach dress | Halterneck dress | 100 x 180 cm | Pick a tight weave in a darker tone. |
| Cooler evenings | Shoulder wrap | 90 x 170 cm | Wear it over a silk slip or crisp tailoring. |
| Active water days | Bandeau mini | 90 x 170 cm | Fold double for opacity. |
| Home comfort | Throw or sofa cover | 90 x 170 cm | See the throws and blankets range. |
For home use, browse the throws and blankets collection.
Does a peştemal protect you from the sun?
A peştemal covers skin, but it should not replace shade and sunscreen. The CDC recommends that when you are in the sun you seek shade, cover up, wear a hat and sunglasses, and use sunscreen, and its community guide points to SPF 15 or higher and avoiding peak sun between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
Fabric weave matters. A U.S. Air Force health article notes that a typical white T shirt, especially when wet, gives about the protection of SPF 4, and suggests a simple test: hold the fabric to the light, and if you can see through it, UV radiation can pass through as well. That is why we advise folding a light peştemal double or choosing a tight weave in a darker tone when you plan to wear it in strong sun.
Also see our guide to Turkish bath rituals for glowing summer skin.
How do you wash and dry a peştemal?
Wash it in a gentle cycle at 30 to 40 °C, avoid fabric softener and dry it fully after every use. The EPA states that in most cases mold will not grow if wet or damp items are dried within 24 to 48 hours, and that indoor humidity should stay between 30 and 60 percent, as explained in its guide to mold, moisture and your home.
- First soak: many makers suggest soaking a new peştemal in cold water for 12 to 24 hours and air drying it. This can help soften the weave.
- Skip softeners: softeners can leave a coating that reduces absorbency and makes knots slip.
- Air dry: a flat weave dries much faster than terry, especially on a line in a breeze. Never store it damp.
- Musty smell: follow our steps to remove a stubborn mildew smell from towels.
- Stiff feel: learn how to make towels soft again.
- Drying performance: compare options in our list of the best towels for drying the body.
Sources
- U.S. EPA, A Brief Guide to Mold, Moisture, and Your Home
- U.S. EPA, Mold Course Chapter 4: General Remediation Issues (Dry Quickly)
- CDC, Reducing Exposure to Ultraviolet Light (Community Preventive Services Task Force, MMWR)
- CDC, Skin Cancer Prevention and Education Initiatives
- USDA Agricultural Research Service, Cotton fiber length and quality manuscript
- U.S. Air Force, Incirlik Air Base, Ask Mehmet: What's a Turkish Bath?
- U.S. Air Force, Tinker Air Force Base, Don't Become a Statistic: Stay Safe in the Sun