Why Towels Have Those Subtle Lines: The Practical Reason Behind the Design

Textile experts eventually stepped in to explain. The strip is called a dobby border, a tightly woven section added during manufacturing. Its main purpose is durability. By reinforcing the areas that experience the most stress, the dobby border helps prevent fraying, limits stretching, and allows towels to keep their shape after repeated washing.

This design also balances the towel’s thickness, keeping it absorbent without becoming bulky. In short, it quietly improves how long a towel lasts and how well it performs—without drawing attention to itself.

Beyond function, the dobby border adds subtle visual order. It creates clean edges, helps towels fold neatly, and gives them a finished look in bathrooms or linen closets. So next time you grab a towel, you’ll know that little line isn’t random—it’s a thoughtful detail doing its job, wash after wash.