KIKOY, FOUTA, PESHTEMAL?

... but what is the difference between all this?

For the common points it's simple there is only one! These three fabrics are used as beach, bath, hammam and sarong sheets. But then what makes them different? Lots of things you guessed it ... :-)

Small geography lesson

First of all they don't come from the same place:

//  The Fouta is a fabric from North Africa (well, at the start, it still comes from India but we know it today especially in North Africa),

//  The Kikoy comes from East Africa (Tanzania, Kenya mainly),

//  Peshtemal comes from Turkey.

Different uses originally

//  The Fouta was created as a fabric worn on the belt as pants, in the back to protect from the sun or in a turban. It will also be used to wipe yourself out of the baths.

//  The Kikoy (or Kikoi), which means "loincloth" in Swahili, was once worn by men on the East African side ... in loincloth.

//  Peshtemal is used directly as a towel in Turkish baths. It also indicates which region people come from.

Different manufacturing methods (and that's what makes the main difference today)

Traditionally, the Fouta is made of carded cotton, the peshtemal of bamboo or carded cotton and the Kikoy of combed cotton.

But what is the difference between carded cotton and combed cotton?

Already, let's do a little reminder on cotton in general. Why choose a cotton bath / beach towel? (if, if, there are reasons). Cotton is known for its very high absorbency. This is why it is often used in bathroom towels or in hospitals. It can also withstand very high temperatures without being damaged. It is therefore very practical when you have to boil the fabric to complete the tasks!

Then how do you tell the difference between cottons?

Carded cotton is a short, inexpensive cotton. It has a rather dull appearance. It is a cotton that is found very frequently in everyday life.

Combed cotton has undergone one more step in the preparation of the fiber. After being carded, the fibers are combed to keep the longest, strongest and softest fibers. This gives cotton a more silky appearance because the fibers tangle better. They also allow a tighter weaving which will be more solid in use and therefore more durable. Combed cotton is therefore of higher quality and necessarily ... it is a little more expensive :-)

So what is best?

The Kikoy of course!… Not everything depends on your tastes. ;-) The Fouta, the peshtemal and the Kikoy have different characteristics for different and numerous uses, a different quality and a different price. And as Jules often says ... it's like digestives: cognac, armagnac, calvados they all go well with meal ends but they don't have the same taste. Here it's a bit the same. It's up to you to see what you prefer! We made our choice ;-)

What about Simone and Georges?

At Simone and Georges we only make Kikoy (or Kikoi). Our flagship product is the Kikoy-towel: a Kikoy (100% combed cotton) on the pile side and a very thin terry towel on the face. Clever! It's soft, it's light, it wipes well, it dries quickly, it's colorful, it's jovial, it's actually great.

The manufacturing workshops are in Kenya, where the product originally came from. This allows us to guarantee the best quality and a traditional know-how that lasts. We created our own designs inspired by the traditional style but adding our French touch by selecting the colors thread by thread. And we are rather proud!

Then as we loved the fabric and its colors, we thought it would be as pretty in a bag, cushion, screen and in several sizes! (yes we don't do things by half here)

If you still have questions, call us!