Terrycloth, to most of us, means one thing: towels. It’s absorbent and soft and it’s perfect for drying off after a shower (or swim, or gym session). But it’s occurred to a healthy handful of brands that a lightweight version of that same terrycloth fabric could make a terrific summer shirt by virtue of its absorbency and next-to-skin comfort, allowing it to do something even the best linen shirts can’t do in serious heat: keep you dry.
Not only does a terrycloth shirt keep your skin relatively sweat-free, but it’s the ideal transitional piece for a day that involves lots of water — diving into the waves, floating around your friend’s pool, swatting a volleyball or lounging at the health club. While the terrycloth shirt exists in plain t-shirt form — there are some good examples below — by adding a collar or maybe even going for long sleeves, you can class it up enough to wear to dinner.
Check out these options below, from J. Crew’s entry-level offerings to Orlebar Brown’s high-end, James-Bond-worthy polos and blazers. It’s a wet, wild world out there, but at least now that you’ve seen what a few dollars can buy, you can embrace the splash (and maybe some sweat) and live to play another day.
Lucio Striped Terry Tee by FILA $40
French Terry Short-Sleeve Henley by J. Crew $60
Terry Polo by Parlewe $78
French Terry Work Shirt by J. Crew $85
Vacation Cotton-Blend Terry Polo by Universal Works $90
Terry Tee by Sunspel $105
Mr Fantasy Cotton-Blend Terry Polo by Howlin $115
Pipped Terry Cloth Short Sleeved Sweatshirt by Todd Snyder $118
Terry Cloth Polo by Vilebrequin $155
Indigo Dyed Towel Denim Type II Jacket by Pure Blue Japan $280
