The peshtemal has its roots in the Turkish hammam, the bathhouses that sat at the centre of daily life during the Ottoman Empire. These weren't just places to wash. They were places to rest, to talk, to slow down. The peshtemal was part of that - worn around the body, used during washing, carried between the different chambers of heat, steam, and water.
Its construction hasn't changed much since then. The peshtemal is flat-woven on traditional looms, a technique that has been passed down through generations in the weaving regions of Turkey. Unlike a standard terry towel, this method produces a smooth, lightweight textile that dries quickly and stays easy to handle in humid environments. The weaving is precise, with fine cotton threads kept even and tightly set to balance absorbency with breathability.
Cotton has always been the material of choice, and for good reason. It's durable, and it improves with use. Each wash makes the fabric softer and more pliable, without losing any of its function. It settles into itself over time.
In the hammam, the peshtemal moved through the full ritual, providing modesty, supporting the washing process, offering rest between stages. It was never designed for one moment. It was designed for the whole thing.
Those same qualities translate naturally to sauna use. The lightweight weave lets the body breathe in high heat. The absorbency and quick drying support repeated transitions between sauna, cold water, and rest. It can be wrapped around the body, laid beneath you on the bench, or used to dry off after a plunge. It adapts without interruption.
The peshtemal has endured because it was made to be used, across rituals, across seasons, over time.