How to Purchase and Wear a Bathrobe

Last Updated: December 2, 2021

There's nothing like a warm, soft bathrobe to take the chill out of cold mornings or evenings. Your bathrobe should be personal and suited to you. Finding, and then wearing, the perfect bathrobe, can be difficult, but with this guidance and advice, it won't be.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:

Buying the Bathrobe

1
Choose a price range. Bathrobes can cost anywhere from a few bucks for a second hand garment at a thrift store or garage sale, to a some serious cash for a branded or personalized item. Buy the best you can afford, a cheap bathrobe won't last as long as a well produced one that is made of a good quality fabric. A cheap garment may not use flame retardant fabrics. You should wash your bathrobe at least as often as your towels so a good quality fabric that will stand up to being washed frequently is better value for money than a cheap one which falls apart at the seams after half a dozen so spin cycles!^{[1]
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2
Check online options. You can find deals for good quality bathrobes. zappos.com, CottonAge.com, or even Walmart.com, are good places to start. Online fashion brand may have what you are looking for. Check out online general merchandise stores too, Tesco is a good example of these in the UK.
- Bathrobes are common merchandise for all sort of franchises. Look online for Harry Potter Bathrobes, Guinness bathrobes, Star Wars, Thomas the Tank Engine or whatever you're into.

Method 2

Method 2 of 3:

Choosing the Bathrobe

1
Try on any bathrobe you're considering if practical. It should fit loosely and the sleeves and hem should be an appropriate length for you. Bathrobes generally fall somewhere between the knees and the ankles, but some may be shorter. It's probably best not to have a bathrobe so long that it trails on the ground.^{[2]
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- If choosing a bathrobe for a child who is still growing, choose one that's a few sizes bigger so that it will last a couple of years. Don't choose one that's so large that the child will be stepping on the hem. You can roll up the sleeves initially if the child is too small.
2
Look at how the bathrobe closes. Choose the style that works for you. Some bathrobes tie around the waist with a belt. This can leave the neck and chest exposed and cold. Some bathrobes button or zip.^{[3]
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- Notice whether you can wrap the bathrobe around to get in or whether you must step in. Either is ok, but make sure it's what you want.
3
Consider how the bathrobe will interact with whatever you wear to bed. If you'll be wearing the bathrobe over pajamas, do you want a smooth lining that slips well?
4
Check for anything that's not soft and comfortable. Are there buttons or zippers to catch long hair? Is there anything scratchy or sharp? Is the fabric something that will stay soft for a long time, or is it likely to pill?^{[4]
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5
Choose a color you like. Probably not many people will ever see you in your bathrobe, so it's okay to go for a color or style that's fun.
6
Notice whether it has a hood. You probably won't be going outside much in your bathrobe, but if your home is very cold, you might want a hood.
7
Notice whether it has pockets. Do you like to do the crossword puzzle or have a place to put a tissue? Do you want to have a way to keep your hands warm?
8
Decide whether you'll be using your bathrobe after bathing. If you like to use your bathrobe as a towel, choose an absorbent cotton terry robe. If you just use it for lounging around the house, you can have a bathrobe made of anything.
- Non-absorbant bathrobes are also called dressing gowns in the UK. If you're looking for this type of garment in the UK, dressing gown is a useful search term.
9
Check the washing instructions. Bathrobes may not need washing very often, but they should be easy to wash when you need to.
10
Choose a bathrobe of an appropriate weight and warmth. How cold does it get in your home in winter? Do you just want something to cover up your pajamas in summer months? Choose fabrics accordingly.^{[5]
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Method 3

Method 3 of 3:

Using the Bathrobe

1
Wear your bathrobe like a coat, but for indoors. Wrap it around, tie, button, or zip it, and be comfortable.
2
Use the bathrobe to help you get dry after bathing or showering. If you are frail or tire very easily on exertion, an absorbent bathrobe can be great for getting dry and is much less tiring than toweling yourself dry.

Community Q&A

Question

Can a bathrobe be worn to sleep in?

Tamara

Top Answerer

You can sleep in your bathrobe if you would like, especially if your house is very cold. Fleece robes are particularly warm.
Question

When do you wear a bathrobe?

Community Answer

Most people wear a bathrobe when they get out of bed or out of the shower before getting dressed. You could also wear one if you wanted to have a spa day at home.
Question

Are there bathrobes without a belt/zip/buttons or etc?

Community Answer

It will not be easy for you to find a robe without at least one of these things, as most people want the option to close their robe when necessary. Your best bet is to buy one with a tying belt that is removable.