And the winner is…

Real Simple rating gives nod to WPS Seduction towel

Staff -- Home Textiles Today, 6/24/2002 12:00:00 AM

NEW YORK —

Real Simple magazine's current issue put towels to the test in an effort to direct consumers to "the best luxury towels priced at $20 or less." The pick of the pack: the reconstructed Seduction by Grand Patrician, which uses Microcotton instead of the modal/cotton combination employed in the original version. The WestPoint Stevens-produced towel was the only non-private-label product to make the grade.

For its June/July edition, editors evaluated 14 all-cotton terry towels for softness, absorbency, colorfastness and shrinkage after 10 washings. Four winners were ranked from good to best. The results:

Good: Lands' End combed-cotton towel ($11). Real Simple called it "a great value, considering its generous proportions [56" x 30"]."

Better: Lands' End combed Supima ($19). "Neither colorfastness nor softness was affected by 10 launderings," the magazine noted.

Even Better: L.L. Beans' Ultra-Absorbent ($19). "Although the white towel seemed slightly softer than the colored ones … all felt considerably cozier than the other comparably priced famous-label towels that Real Simple tested."

Best: Seduction by Grand Patrician ($20). "Real Simple testers unanimously voted Seduction's softness and thickness superior to those of any other towel examined," the magazine noted.

Towels that failed to make the cut were recognized brands from the big three mills and name designers, according to Real Simple associate home editor Christine Camean, who directed the project.

The study focused on brands widely available at retail. However, Camean noted, the study was not conducted by a laboratory. The publication's intent was to replicate the results any consumer would achieve if she evaluated a group of towels after a series of washings.