Women's Robes

Every other garment on this shelf closes on its own. A robe does not. Two front edges overlap, a sash pulls through belt loops at the waist, and the whole thing stays shut because you tied it. That makes it a layer worn over pajamas, over a towel or over nothing, and taken off in seconds.

Fabric splits robes into two jobs that do not overlap. Terry and waffle cotton absorb water, so they go on after a shower and dry you while you move around. Terry holds more water and takes roughly twice as long to dry as waffle. Satin, silk and light jersey absorb almost nothing and are there for warmth or modesty instead. Shawl collars, the wide rolled band running unbroken around the neck and down both front edges, add warmth and bulk together. Kimono styles drop the collar entirely and hang flat, so they pack smaller.

None of its neighbors do this job. Pajama sets, gowns and sleep shirts are closed garments you sleep in; a robe goes over them and comes off before bed. Caftans and loungewear are also closed and pulled over the head, so you cannot shrug out of one at the door. Bathrobe and dressing gown name the same garment, though shops tend to use dressing gown for the lighter versions that do not absorb.

Shared bathrooms, guests in the house and the half hour before the heating starts are the everyday cases. Parents of young children who end up in a hallway at 6 in the morning get daily use from one. Hotels and hospital stays call for the light kind that packs flat. Do not buy heavy terry if your bathroom hook will not take the weight or if your grip is weak, since a wet terry robe can weigh several pounds.

Belt loops decide whether a robe works, so make sure they are stitched into the side seams rather than tacked onto the surface, and that the sash is long enough to knot with a hand's width of tail on each side. Measure the length against your calf before ordering. Skip fabric softener on terry, which coats the loops and stops them absorbing, then tumble dry on medium to lift the pile again. Hang silk and satin instead, because dryer heat leaves them limp.