Why did bath towels and washcloths get so big and thick? [View all]

[raccoon]

Towels that my mother gave me, probably more than a generation old, are lots smaller and less thick. Washcloths were much skinner too, but at least you can still find those at a large chain store that I won't name.

Nowadays, new bath towels are large enough for a big fat man with blond hair. Children and some men and women don't need a towel that big.

Also, the proliferation of storage units indicates that many people don't have much storage room these days. Big, thick towels take up more room in your bathroom closet than skinny towels do.

Some time ago, I posted about the skinny towels. I ordered some off the Internet. They aren't the best quality, but they'll do.

So...why do manufacturers keep making thick towels and washcloths? Just to jack up the price?