From the souk to the beach: how the fouta became a must-have

The evolution of fouta: from artisanal textile to trendy accessory

Long used in traditional Tunisian hammams, the fouta has established itself over the decades as a versatile and essential textile. This simple woven cotton fabric, once reserved for steam baths, has seduced far beyond the borders of the Maghreb to become a staple of household linen and seaside outings.

Today, beach fouta, XXL fouta, terry fouta and its many variations are acclaimed for their lightness, elegant design and rapid absorption capacity. But how did this handmade product conquer the world?

1. The origins of fouta: souk craftsmanship

Tunisian fouta has its roots in the traditional souk, where it was hand-woven by craftsmen mastering ancestral weaving techniques.

🎭 A multi-purpose textile: Initially, fouta was mainly used as a loincloth in hammams, where it was appreciated for its lightness and absorbency. It was also used as household linen, notably to dry quickly after a bath.

👕 1 00% handcrafted: In the earliest workshops, weavers worked on hand looms, selecting quality cotton yarns to obtain a textile that was resistant and pleasant to the touch.

➡️ Discover traditional manufacturing techniques on our Production & Know-How page.

2. Global expansion thanks to tourism and exports

In the 2000s, Tunisian fouta began to appeal to foreign travelers vacationing on Tunisia's sunny beaches.

🏖️ A travel souvenir that became an international trend: Tourists, charmed by the softness and elegance of these textiles, brought back beach foutas in their luggage, contributing to their popularity in Europe and the United States.

📦 The rise of online sales: With the arrival of e-commerce platforms and specialist stores like BY FOUTASfouta has been able to reach a wider public, attracted by its functional qualities and unique aesthetic.

➡️ Discover our complete collection of beachfoutas, perfect for your vacations.

3. Why has the fouta become a beach essential?

🌊 A n ultra-light, compact textile: Unlike conventional towels, the XXL beach fouta takes up no room in a bag and remains easy to carry.
🚀 Quick drying and optimal absorption: Thanks to its airy weave, the terry-lined fouta or honeycomb fouta dries much faster than a thick towel.
🎨 A trendy, customizable design: With its varied patterns and vibrant colors, the fouta is a fashion accessory in its own right.

➡️ For a stylish, absorbent fouta, explore our range of terry-linedfoutas.

4. Today's fouta: a must-have for home linen and decoration

With its dazzling success, fouta has progressively shed its image as a simple hammam towel and has become a fixture in our interiors.

🏠 A versatile household linen: Now, sofa fouta can be used as a bed throw, tablecloth or picnic blanket.
🎁 A welcome gift for all occasions: Easy to give, personalized fouta is a perfect choice for a wedding, anniversary or birth.

➡️ Discover our collection of classicfoutas to embellish your home.

Conclusion

The Tunisian fouta, once sold in artisanal souks, is now a must-have accessory the world over. Thanks to its elegant design, practicality and commitment to the environment, it is just as popular with travel enthusiasts as it is with decorators and high-end household linen lovers.

Whether you're looking for a beach fouta, an XXL fouta or a terrycloth-lined fouta, you'll find it at BY FOUTAS you'll find a wide choice of carefully crafted models.