In recent times the poncho towel has become increasingly popular, I think I first saw cheap versions in beach front shops in seaside towns. They tended to have very bright coloured designs of cartoon or Disney characters and they had a hood but no arms and the towel was loose and just hung over your front and back. They were a brilliant development from the normal beach towel because you could wear them so there was less to carry and they didn’t fall off so would keep you reasonably warm.

As time moved on the poncho towel has developed in style and also in the range of retailers who design and sell them. The more modern designs have arms and have been sewn down the sides, so in effect they are long hooded jumpers in style. The have the ability to keep you much warmer and protect you more from the sun. The latest version I have seen actually wraps around and does up with poppers, it’s more like a coat, so you don’t need to put it on over your head. This makes it much easier to get them on and off when you are wet, they also have a pocket which you can use to keep your goggles and swimming hat safe.

The fabric designs have become more expensive looking and some of the large department stores and more expensive retailers have started to sell them particularly for children, as a must have beach accessory.

One of the things I have noticed about poncho towels is that many of them only have towelling on the outside, even some of the more expensive versions, which I find very strange as that is not the part that goes next to your body and needs to be absorbent. The one that I saw recently which wraps around has towelling on both sides of the fabric, which I think is much more practical.

Poncho towels have traditionally been thought of as beach wear, predominantly because they were sold in shops in seaside towns that sold other beach equipment, but recently there has been a trend where people have realised there are uses for them all through the year with swimming, in particular children’s swimming lessons. They are also brilliant for using after the bath while you are getting you or the kids dry. Of course poncho towels are still brilliant for use on the beach, you can wear them to get dry and warm after coming out of the sea, but also while you are sitting on the beach or the kids are playing in the sand. They serve two purposes they keep you warm , but also protect you from the sun.

If you are thinking of a practical item to buy the year for your holiday, you should definitely look out for one as they can be used throughout the year and you will get value for money.