What makes a good dressing gown?

So, if you or someone you know is in the market for another robe to add to your (or their) loungewear collection, do read on – because below you’ll find a round-up of 17 super soft, comfy and editor-approved dressing gowns ranging from designer to premium and high street must-haves on the market right now.

Everyone’s dressing gown, bathrobe or housecoat has a different purpose, so it depends on what you need one for to see what makes them a good dressing gown. Fan of a waffle robe that looks just like the one you’d wear in a spa? The White Company has got you covered with their cotton waffle robe. Squishy fleece dressing gown fan? This long, hooded soft fleece dressing gown from high street hero M&S is selling like hot cakes, complete with deep pockets, a classic belt fastening and a hooded neck. Dreamy. Elsewhere, you’ll find satin and silk robes to wear on top of your best lingerie, and classic, crisp white cotton dressing gowns to wrap up in post everything shower/bath.

Where can I buy a really good dressing gown?

With so many bathrobes for women out there, it may be tricky to find the best ones, which is why I’ve created a refined edit from some of my much-loved labels. But you may need to consider what you’re buying a dressing gown for – do you want one to put on to dry yourself after a shower? Then you’ll want a towelling dressing gown from the likes of Next and Desmond and Dempsey. Prefer a fluffy dressing gown to keep you cosy when you do your hair and make up? Then check out The White Company, Marks and Spencer and Soho Home. If you prefer a lighter layer, you can add over pyjamas or that’ll look chic over lingerie, then Pour Moi and luxury label Olivia Von Halle are the destinations. If it’s a gift for someone, then Boux Avenue will lovingly wrap the robe in tissue paper in a gift box with smelly sprinkles. There really is a bathrobe for everyone.

What is the difference between a bathrobe and a dressing gown?

So, what makes a good dressing gown, you may ask? Well, before we get into the non-negotiables, first we must learn the difference between a dressing gown and a bathrobe. Walk with me here, OK, because this is important, I promise. Although these trusty staples are very similar, they each have a different purpose.

We have the functional pure cotton or terry towelling fabrics, designed to be breathable and absorbent straight after the shower or bath. Then we have the more snuggly option of chenille, fleece or cashmere dressing gowns — AKA a ‘house coat’ — that retains body heat throughout the day (shout out to the “I’m always cold” crew). Finally, we have the glamorous velour, satin or silk textures that purely serve all year round. Whatever your preference, I think we can all agree that maximum comfort and durability are key.

Whether you call it a bathrobe, a dressing gown, a housecoat, or an emotional support loungewear layer, they’re all quite similar. But if you want to know the functional difference between them, a bathrobe is aptly named a ‘bath’ robe as it’s typically used when you’ve got out of the bath or shower. Often made from a towelling or terry fabric (like your bath sheet), this can be used instead of your towel to put on to dry you after a relaxing bubble bath. These are usually also heavier and thicker to make sure they’re absorbent and will keep you warm as soon as you’re out of the water –something you need if you live in the United Kingdom during the winter months.

When it comes to a dressing gown, though, these are often made from lighter fabrics such as satin, cotton and jersey as they usually become part of your loungewear collection, worn as an extra cosy layer over pyjamas or joggers when you’re chilling on the sofa watching Netflix. And as for the more snuggly option of chenille, fleece or cashmere dressing gowns, aka a ‘house coat’, these retain body heat throughout the day (shout out to the “I’m always cold” crew).

Are expensive bathrobes worth it?

Everyone’s judgement of what may be classed as expensive may be different, but let’s just say are bathrobes that are over, say, £150 worth the money? In my opinion, yes. Because if you buy better, you buy less. And you don’t want to have to buy a new dressing gown to replace one that gets tatty quickly, do you? To know if it’s actually worth the extra spend, though, make sure to look at the description online or the care label to see if it’s made out of more luxurious materials and check how to wash it – no one wants to be spending a lot of money on a bathrobe to have to take it to the dry cleaners!

When it comes to a dressing gown, it’s also worth considering how much you wear it. Much like your favourite pyjamas or sweatshirts, you’re bound to wear them so many times each week that the cost-per-wear won’t actually be that much, even if it is more spenny to buy in the first place.