‘It’s fun, it’s versatile, it’s functional’: terry towelling’s time in the sun

Terry towelling is making a fashion comeback this summer. Scarlet wears Jamoo jumper. Tarquin wears Jamoo shirt. Photograph: Michael Brunt/The Guardian

Since it’s been a minute between truly relaxing summers – the kind with golden sunsets, morning swims and no need to check the news hourly – it makes perfect sense that the fabric of the season is terry towelling. Soft, absorbent and chic, it can be worn over slightly damp swimwear while eating enormous bowls of spaghetti vongole.

Terry towelling, or terry cloth, emerged as a trend during the European summer of 2021 and has been gathering momentum since. It dominated the spring/summer 2023 runway season and, unsurprisingly, has captured the imagination of Australian designers.