SPYThis texture so soft to the touch has become one of the absolute starting points of the season
By Núria Luis
If we talk about touch in summer, we will probably mention esparto grass or wicker in terms of bags (and also in shoes). When it comes to clothing, linen is postulated as one of the absolute summer fabrics, due to its lightness. However, in 2021 there is another material that is sneaking into all the proposals of the stores on foot. The summer translation of fur coats as soft as a teddy bear takes on the texture of the towel to dress us from head to toe. In English it is known as "terry toweling" or "terrycloth", a term that refers to the terry or terry cloth typical of towels and bathrobes with a very specific nature and purpose.
That is precisely the effect that David Koma used, for example, in his spring summer 2021 collection. The designer was inspired by the story of tennis player Chris Evert, whose diamond bracelet fell to the ground while he was competing in the Open of United States of 78. With tennis as a starting point, Koma included in his proposal a white dress with precisely this towel effect. The same one that Bottega Veneta uses to translate its most iconic accessories: the firm reinterprets the 'pouch' in a terry towel with different geometric drawings that can also be found in its platform flip-flops.
Other firms have made it the absolute protagonist of their summer proposals. A review of Net-à-Porter makes it clear to what extent Racil has used the towel effect for dresses, trousers and jackets. Lucy Folk, for her part, opts for terry for shorts and jacket sets, while other companies carry this fabric in their DNA. Take Terry, an Australian brand founded in 2019 inspired by 1970s North American pool style and European cruise wear. Its founders, Lucy Halfpenny and Brigette Clark, have made the towel touch a curious effect that can be seen on tops, polo shirts or shorts.
In stores, the towel effect is a real invasion: Zara bets on those same polo shirts, shorts or jumpsuits, a garment that can also be found in the Arket online store. Bright colors such as Klein blue or orange are two of the most refreshing color options for a type of fabric that claims to be the most comfortable (and of course, huggable) in summer.
BUY: towel-effect polo shirt, by Arket (59 euros).
BUY: jumpsuit with towel effect fabric, from Zara (12.99 euros).
BUY: towel effect clutch, by Bottega Veneta (1500 euros).
BUY: hoodie, Racil (365 euros).
BUY: Zimmermann towel-effect dress (395 euros).
Summer Shopping 2021 That's a Buy It Now or Always Regret It (July 2021 Edition)
15 photosBy Marina Valera
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