This article contains some affiliate links. I do some work for Rapanui, but this isn’t paid content.

I’ve been a fan of the towelling change robe for a few years now, ever since I bought my parents one each from Rapanui for Christmas and my husband bought one for me (it made an excellent, if a little odd, family in front of the Christmas tree picture). We’ve used them loads, but when it’s really hot in the summer, as is frighteningly normal in this post climate change world, I fancy something a little less bulky to wear back from the beach. Enter, the towelling shorts.

So English Jackson floral print hoodie, £185 (soenglish.co.uk – PR gift); Izzy shorts, £42 (nulaclothing.co.uk)

I was sent this pair two years ago from the lovely people at Nula Clothing in Margate – they’re made using organic cotton and I’ve worn them SO MUCH. I’m lucky enough to live a short walk from the beach, so I just sling these on over my swimsuit and walk home during the summer months. Cue a small obsession with towelling clothing – and not just shorts, because there are matching sets, hoodies, jumpsuits and vintage treasures to be found if you know where to look.

Towelling dress, vintage

A quick word on what makes towelling sustainable, or non-sustainable. Organic cotton is ideal, and if you can find vintage (the green dress I am wearing was an amazing vintage find), or are clever enough to make your own, that’s also a winner. When researching this article I found some really great looking stuff that wasn’t labelled as organic and when I asked some of the brands whether their cotton was organic, I either got no reply at all, or one brand even boldly just replied ‘no!’ (with the exclamation mark. Like they were proud of it). So you won’t find them in this round up. 

As always, please shop responsibly. I swim every day so I use the items I have a lot.

So English

The slightly retro feel of the So English collection is deliberate, because they are designed to have the same kind of longevity as my vintage dress. Everything is made in small batches in the UK, and the Italian cotton manufacturer has just switched to using Global Organic Textile Standard (GOTS) cotton. Zips are made from recycled steel and recycled polyester, and pockets are lined with upcycled parachute silk. As well as hoodies like the one I am wearing above, you’ll find dresses, robes shorts and hats.

Kiss Short dress, £185 (soenglish.co.uk)

Nula Clothing

The very same Izzy shorts I got two years ago are still available from Nula and this particular colour, dusky pink, is in the sale (£42, down from £60). They also come in lilac and sand. Fancy the full set? There is a matching Izzy sweatshirt, too. Made in Margate from 98% organic cotton, I love their heavyweight feel – very practical when you’re wearing to actually dry off!

Izzy sweatshirt, £85 (nulaclothing.co.uk)

Rapanui

This adorable matching towelling set from Rapanui comes in sage green and peach. In a slightly more lightweight towelling, it looks great both on and off the beach, and would work brilliantly for hot holidays abroad. Made from 100% organic cotton (including the webbing that that cotton loops are attached to, which is more often polyester), it’s also designed to be sent back to Rapanui when it wears out so it can be made into something new from their Remill range of recycled organic cotton clothing. Rapanui is also one of the most affordable truly sustainable brands out there.

Towelling co-ord set, £75 (rapanuiclothing.com)

Cape Cove

The fact that Cape Cove was borne out of a sisterhood of sea swimmers really appeals to me. I swim all year round in the sea, and the communities of (mostly) women that I’ve met along the way have been brilliant. The sustainable collections this brand offers reflect that uplifting support you get from this addictive hobby; I love the towelling tracksuit bottoms (great for beyond the summer) and jumpsuits.

Green zip towelling jumpsuit, £99 (cape-cove.com)

The Simple Folk

This isn’t a brand I’ve tried personally, but I absolutely love the muted colour palette, and all of the cotton used for the terry is GOTS certified. The wide leg trousers and matching oversized tee would make a great year-rounder (I’ve still not shaken off my love of tracksuits following the pandemic – anyone else?).

Wide Leg Terry Trouser, £65, and Oversized Terry Top, £58 (thesimplefolk.co.uk)

Finisterre

Finisterre’s Roberston women’s shorts are available in three colours – navy, ecru and sunset – but I actually prefer the longer length of the men’s shorts (I feel the same way about Colorful Standard shorts!). Size M works well for me – I usually wear a size 12. 

Robertson towelling shorts, £50 (finisterre.com)

Terry Towelling

I’m including an Aussie wildcard in case I have any fortunate readers in Australia or New Zealand who can order from Terry Towelling (looks like they don’t ship further afield than that and besides, it’s a long way for a pair of shorts that I can’t justify!). Everything is GOTS certified and hand-dyed. 

Il Pareo Jumpsuit, $300 (terry-t.com)

Read more: My Sea Swimming Essentials