The Essential Guide to Finding Your Perfect Bathrobe or Dressing Gown
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Purpose of guide｜What are Dressing Gowns and Bathrobes used for?｜Choosing the Right Size and Length for your Dressing Gown?｜ Choosing the Best Material for your Dressing Gown｜Choosing the Right Style of Bathrobe｜How to Look After Your Dressing Gown
Purpose of This Guide
A dressing gown — known to some as a bathrobe — is a luxurious and loose-fitting garment that can make a chilly morning or evening more comfortable. They come in many different styles suitable for men and women and are much more than just a comfort item.
Buying a bathrobe is a fun experience, but can be tricky if you don't know what you're looking for. In this guide, we'll help you decide how to choose the perfect bathrobe as well as provide tips on how to care for it.
What are Dressing Gowns and Bathrobes used for?
Few things in life feel cosier than wrapping up in a soft, warm bathrobe after a long day. Bathrobes are super easy to slip on when you need extra warmth, making them a popular addition to morning and evening routines.
Many people love wearing a robe when relaxing on the couch at home and when heading to the pool or spa. Wearing one is super relaxing and feels like an act of self-care!
Some robes double as a towel and are a must-have item to dry off and keep warm after a bath, shower, or swim. They also help you cover up quickly when someone rings the doorbell unexpectedly.
Choosing the Right Size and Length for your Dressing Gown?
While dressing gowns should be loose-fitting and comfortable, there is a chance that you could get a bathrobe that is too small, too large, too short, or too long. Especially if you're buying online!
Bathrobes typically come in three lengths: above the knee, mid-calf length, and ankle length. An ankle-length robe is popular during the colder months, while shorter robes are great for summer when going to the pool, beach, or spa.
We recommend taking your measurements when buying a bathrobe so you can check them against the manufacturer’s sizing chart and find a robe that's ideal for you. Pay attention to the following areas:
Sleeve length: Measure from your shoulder to wrist.
Shoulder width: Measure from one shoulder edge to the other.
Chest: For women, measure the circumference around the bust line. Men can measure the chest and back circumference by measuring under the arms.
Robe Length: Depending on the length you choose, measure from the middle of your neck to your knee, mid-calf, or ankle.
HINT: When in doubt, you can look for a bathrobe that is marked 'one-size-fits-all'. Otherwise, have a look at the size of your favourite winter coat. Coats are normally loose-fitting, so this may help you select a robe with a similar fit.
Choosing the Best Material for your Dressing Gown
A bathrobe comes into contact with your skin frequently, so the material is important to ensure maximum comfort! Bathrobes come in a variety of different materials, each providing something unique to the wearer. There are a few things to consider, including the weight, texture, absorbency, and durability of the material. And, of course, the price!
Before deciding on a robe, ask yourself what you want it for. Are you looking for something to wear for extra warmth? Or is it for lounging around the house, spa, or pool?
Some popular bathrobe materials include:
Cotton: Cotton bathrobes are made from a soft and breathable material that's hypoallergenic and feels amazing on your skin.
Terry Cloth: High-quality cotton is woven into loops to make highly absorbent and warm terry cloth towelling robes. They're much more absorbent than non-looped cotton robes and are great for drying off after a shower or swim.
Silk: This is a shiny fabric that feels smooth and luxurious against the skin. While silk robes are not warm or absorbent, they are popular with women who wear them in the summer months around the house or pool.
Satin: Much like silk, satin is a smooth, elegant, and lightweight fabric. It's more affordable than silk and is great for wearing around the house, at the spa, or on a summer holiday.
Flannel: Flannel is a soft, warm fabric that makes for a classically comfortable bathrobe. Typically made from a blend of cotton and wool, it has absorbing and insulating properties.
Chenille: This is a lightweight material that's typically polyester blended with cotton or wool. It's plush, durable, insulating, and inexpensive, but lacks absorbency. Chenille is a great option if you like a robe with a fuzzy texture!
Fleece: Made from polyester, fleece is a warm, lightweight, and quick-drying material that is plush and soft. It's akin to being wrapped up in a comfy blanket!
Velour: If you're looking for a thick, warm robe that looks and feels like velvet, then velour is the material for you.
Overall, pay attention to quality and how it feels on your skin – go for the best quality robe that's within your budget.
Choosing the Right Style of Bathrobe
Robes come in many colours, unique designs, and various styles. While a classic white, fluffy towelling robe is extremely popular, the style you choose all depends on your preferences and budget. Perhaps you want something thick and fluffy to lounge around the house in. Or maybe you are more interested in a silky robe you can wear over lingerie.
Some of the common bathrobe styles include:
- A shawl style robe with a large collar that drapes over the neck
- A hooded robe – great for extra warmth and drying wet hair
- A Japanese style kimono robe, typically made from satin or silk, has wide sleeves and no collar
- A double-breasted robe
- A robe with deep pockets
- A robe with embroidery design – ideal if you want to add your logo or initials
- Some of our most popular bathrobes include white dressing gowns and grey dressing gowns
How to Look After Your Dressing Gown
Given that you'll wear your bathrobe frequently, it needs to be washed and cared for carefully. If you look after it properly, it can last for many years to come!
As a general rule, it's best to wash your robe every few weeks. Remove the belt and turn the sleeves inside out and, using gentle detergent, put it on a cool, delicate wash cycle without other clothing. We suggest hanging it outside to dry or putting it in the dryer on a low heat cycle. If you need to iron your robe, make sure the iron is on medium heat and always iron it inside out. Never use bleach or harsh fabric softeners as this is likely to weaken the fibres and make them less absorbent.
Depending on the type of material used, you may need to follow different cleaning instructions so always check the label.
Finally, to keep your robe looking clean and unwrinkled, always allow it to dry completely before hanging it in a cool, dry wardrobe.
So There We Go…
There you have it; that's everything you need to prepare yourself for buying the perfect bathrobe!
Owning a robe helps you feel pampered and may even save you on your heating bill by keeping you insulated in winter. Using the tips in this article, you'll find something that is both comfortable, well-fitting and suits your style.