Bread T-Shirt Towel vs. Aquis Flip Turban
Introduction
For a long time, I only used one bath towel after the shower for drying both my body and my hair, but in the last few years I started using hair-specific towels for hands-free drying and reduced damage. At this point, I have regularly used the Bread Beauty Supply T‑Shirt Hair Towel and the Aquis Flip Microfiber Hair Turban. They are very different in shape, fiber, and overall personality, so here’s how they compare in daily use.
Bread Beauty Supply T-Shirt Hair Towel
Price: $38
Size: 130 × 69 cm (51.2 × 27.2 inches)
Material: bamboo + organic cotton
Care: machine wash cold, hang dry or tumble low; max 86°F / 30°C
Aquis Flip Microfiber Hair Turban
Price: $21.50
Size: 29 × 10 inches
Material: 80% polyester + 20% nylon
Care: machine wash it in warm water with minimal detergent
My Hair Type
I have type 1C hair that is thick, long, and layered. In the last few years, my shortest layers have started around ear length, and my longest layers have extended roughly 4–12 inches below my shoulders.
Comparisons
Bread T-Shirt Towel
Shape
The Bread towel is a long rectangle. You place the center at the base of your neck while upside down, twist the hair inside, flip it back, and tuck the end under the elastic band.
The large amount of fabric accommodates long and thick hair easily and dries effectively. It can also be used like a standard towel if you want to plop curls.
The main drawback is that because it is not a structured turban, it falls off when wrapped loosely or when I move my head from side to side too much.
Texture
The texture is comforting; it feels like a smooth, soft t‑shirt.
Durability
After six months, the fabric, stitching, and elastic on the two that I purchased have held up without any signs of wear. The elastic will probably stretch out eventually (as all elastics do), but at this point they’re still perfect.
Smell
There are no smell issues with these towels. I hang them to dry between uses and follow the care instructions for washing/drying.
Aquis Flip Turban
Shape
The Aquis is shaped like a cocoon, which makes it easy to learn how to wrap and secure. You flip your head upside down, place the wide opening over your head, twist your hair into the narrow end, and fold it back to fasten with the button.
Because it’s pre‑shaped, it isn’t really usable as a standard towel if you want to plop curls — there just isn’t enough surface area for that to feel right. It’s a turban‑only type of towel.
As my hair got longer, the tapered design made it difficult to fit all my hair inside. The overall drying effectiveness decreased because there was not enough fabric for the amount of hair.
Texture
The texture is not my favorite. Microfiber can feel a bit harsh or rough, especially compared to the softness of the Bread towel.
Durability
After a couple of years, the fabric and stiching on the two I have are still nearly perfect. There has been no pilling, and the button is still firmly attached.
Smell
The turbans developed a mildew smell despite being hung to dry fully between uses and being washed according to the instructions. Unfortunately, once that smell shows up, it’s extremely stubborn. Hot‑water washes would temporarily remove it, but it always came back.
Ideal Use Cases
Bread T-Shirt Towel
Longer or thicker hair
People who prefer natural fibers (bamboo/cotton) over synthetics
People who don’t mind wrapping a turban from a rectangle
Aquis Flip Turban
Shorter or thinner hair
People who like the sturdiness of a button closure
People who prefer a structured, “ready‑to‑go” turban shape
Pricing and Value
Bread T-Shirt Towel
I bought mine full price from Sephora ($38), and I think they were worth it. They are currently out of stock, but hopefully they’ll be back soon.
Aquis Flip Turban
These used to be available in many stores, but have become harder to find now that so many other brands make microfiber turbans. I don’t remember exactly where I bought mine, but the only ones I can find right now are $21.50 at Target. They held up well and served their purpose, but the mildew smell was a dealbreaker for me, so I wouldn’t repurchase them.
Final Thoughts
Both towels make hands‑free drying easy, help reduce breakage compared to standard bath towels, and work well as a prep step before styling—whether you air‑dry or heat‑style afterward. That said, the Bread T‑Shirt Towel is my favorite. It’s softer, fits and dries my hair better, and has not had any odor issues.
I’d still be open to trying other brands for comparison, but realistically, if the Bread towel is in stock when I need another one… that’s the one I will buy again.
Where to buy (when not sold out)
Bread Beauty Supply T-Shirt Towel
Aquis Flip Turban
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