The 9 Best Robes for Women in 2023: Tested and Reviewed

May 16, 2024

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Having a robe to slip on after a shower or cinch over your pajamas on a lazy weekend morning isn't exactly a necessity, but it certainly makes daily life a little more enjoyable. The best robes for women let you indulge in this simple pleasure effortlessly.

"It's important to invest in a nice robe because it's important to invest in yourself," said Rosy Nuboer, the Romance Planning Manager at the Hyatt Regency Aruba Resort Spa and Casino. "It is an excellent opportunity to remind yourself to relax and have a self-care day."

To determine the best bathrobes for women, we washed all of our contenders three times to evaluate durability and wore each robe while making coffee, washing dishes, reading on a couch, and working at a desk to determine overall feel and comfort. We also noted additional features like pockets and hanging loops.

Plus, check out our guide to the best women's slippers to find the perfect footwear to pair with your robe.

Pros: Not too heavy or light, can be worn right out of the shower, comes in multiple sizes, great fit

Cons: Sleeves are too slim to wear thick clothing underneath, shawl collar may be too thick for some people, may not be suitable for hot climates

The Parachute bathrobe is not only the softest of all the best robes for women we tested made from 100% cotton, but it's also slightly fluffy and absorbent like a towel. It's made from long-staple Turkish cotton, which is exceptionally durable, and it has a 400 GSM (grams per square meter, a measure of fabric weight). That's a middle-of-the-road weight — not the most lightweight and cool, but not heavy and stifling, either. And if you're not in the mood to towel off, you can put this robe on directly after a shower and it'll do the same job.

In a size medium, the robe falls slightly below my knees (I'm 5'6") and the sleeves hit my wrists. The sleeves aren't wide and they fit closely to my arms, so the overall effect isn't sloppy or loose. The downside is that you might not be able to wear, say, a sweater underneath. The robe fits best over bare skin or light PJs.

Pros: Lightweight, comfortable texture, made with organic cotton

Cons: Shrinks after the first wash, pockets easily weighed down by heavy objects, wide sleeves may be impractical

If the first thing you do after checking into a hotel is hit the spa, then this waffle robe will transport you there. To get the right fit, we recommend sizing up because this robe shrinks noticeably after the first wash. If you're normally a size small, go for the Coyuchi small/medium. A medium should choose the Coyuchi medium/large, and so on. On me, the medium/large size hits a little below the knees.

Together, the soft organic cotton and textured weave provide airy, cool, and non-slippery coverage. Your waist tie won't come undone and there are large front pockets to hold small, light items like lip balm. Unfortunately, they're not thick enough to carry smartphones without being dragged down by the weight. The sleeves are wide and can get in the way of tasks, but you can cuff them.

The robe is absorbent, though not as much as our cotton terry top pick. For those who run hot but still want to dry off, it's among the more light, attractive, and comfortable versions of the best robes for women.

Pros: Cozy feel, enveloping warmth, not too bulky, comes in many sizes

Cons: Picks up lint and pet hair easily

This flannel number from L.L.Bean is an internet favorite among the best robes for women thanks to its classic plaid prints, long-lasting cotton fabric, and a relaxed fit that lets you wrap yourself up into a cozy bundle. Insider Reviews deputy editor Malarie Gokey has owned the robe for more than a year and loves it. As someone who runs cold, she appreciates not only the warmth but the fact that the fabric isn't stiflingly thick (a common problem with winter robes).

Like most flannel garments, the robe, unfortunately, is a magnet for stray bits of fuzz and pet hair, so cuddle with your dog at your own risk. Lint aside, however, L.L. Bean's robe is a comfortable, well-fitting option that will get you through many brisk winter mornings. It's also worth noting that L.L.Bean offers a wider spectrum of sizes than the other brands in this guide, from regular and petite (both available in XS-XL) to plus (1X-3X).

Pros: Breathable, "dry" feeling, durable, midweight

Cons: Not as soft as other fabrics, shows wrinkles easily

This was my favorite robe to wear while working and doing household tasks because it felt like the perfect middle ground — it wasn't so luxurious that it enticed me to lay down in bed, but it wasn't exactly something I'd wear in the outside world, either. On me, a size medium fell to mid-shin and the sleeves hit my wrists, but unlike the best robes for women made from more slippery fabrics like silk, this one's sleeves stayed cuffed when folded back.

Linen naturally wrinkles, and it's especially apparent with lighter colors. If you're not a fan of the rumpled look but still like the feel of linen, the robe is available in three darker shades (gray, navy, and black) that partially camouflage the wrinkles. It's also best to take the robe out of the dryer while it's still a little damp, so you can smooth out unwanted wrinkles by hand.

Pros: Handcrafted, one-of-a-kind artwork, lightweight, glossy feel

Cons: Dry clean only, wrinkles easily, one-size-fits-all style

Each 100% silk robe from the brand features original, hand-drawn, and hand-painted artwork that is then printed onto the robe, making each piece distinct and unique among all of the best robes for women. The site offers a large variety of beautiful designs to choose from, including cherry blossoms and cranes. Just keep in mind that all of Kim + Ono's designs are dry clean only, and the silk creases and wrinkles easily; you'll need to steam or iron your robe on the warm setting to maintain its sleek, pristine appearance.

After I stopped admiring the robe to actually put it on, it felt very cool, glossy, and slippery. In addition to an exterior waist tie, there's a thin interior waist tie to help keep everything secure. The robe only comes in one size, and on me, it fell all the way to my ankles. If you're petite, I'd recommend buying one of Kim + Ono's short robes instead.

Pros: Lightweight, very soft, close fit

Cons: Draped and closely fitting fabric isn't for everyone, belongings may fall out of side pockets

Natori's robe is hands-down the softest and most comfortable lightweight option out of all the best robes for women we tried. If you don't like the other specialty fabrics mentioned above, chances are modal jersey will win you over; the slightly stretchy material is commonly used to make underwear and loungewear.

This robe is long (about ankle-length on me), and there's an interior waist tie to keep it together. The sleeves are flowy, but they only hit a little below my elbows, making it easy to do everyday tasks. Like L.L.Bean, Natori offers extended sizing, from XS-XXL and 1X-3X.

While the pockets are sizable, they're located on the sides rather than the front, so bigger items like smartphones may fall out. If you stick to smaller belongings, you should be fine.

Pros: Hefty fabric, absorbent, fastens securely

Cons: A few loose threads after the first wash, awkward pocket placement

Terry is the style of weaving that creates the loops you'll see and feel on your towels. L.L.Bean's robe is French terry, so it's a bit softer and smoother than what you might find with a bath towel. It didn't feel abrasive against my skin, even after wearing it for hours.

Thanks to its weave, the robe is fairly absorbent. I don't typically like wearing robes after a shower, but I admit it did wick away moisture better than most of the other best robes for women we tested. In addition to the usual belt and loops, there's a tie inside the robe to help keep it securely fastened. There are two pockets that are deep enough to hold an iPhone.

I'm about 5'4", and the robe hit a couple of inches above my ankle. The belt sat at an awkward spot just above the pockets, and I had to shift it to put in or retrieve items. After the first wash, I noticed some loose threads. I'll keep using and washing the robe to see how well it holds up.

This terry robe from Brooklinen is made of long-staple Turkish cotton and is a medium-weight thickness at 350 GSM (grams per square meter). It's a tad bit softer than L.L.Bean's terry robe, and it hits about mid-calf. The pockets are angled, which made us a little afraid our phone would fall out (though it never did). It absorbs well and is fairly breathable.

I've owned this ultra-soft robe for years. Made of 100% polyester, it's held up well to washing and still feels as plush as when I first bought it. In part due to its generous length, it's kept me warm through (admittedly somewhat mild) winters. It is pricey, but it's a worthwhile investment if you want a cozy robe that retains its softness.

There are plenty of features to consider as you shop for the best robe, including style, fabric, breathability, and durability.

A kimono-style design is the standard. "Kimono robes offer a classic tailored fit, with wrist-length sleeves, and have a streamlined flat collar," Nuboer said. In other words, you can personalize a kimono-style robe's measurements via its waist tie, but you'll still have enough freedom of movement for tasks like putting on makeup, brewing coffee, or picking up the morning paper.

When it comes to material, plush cotton terry allows you to skip toweling off post-shower, while less absorbent fabrics like waffle weave or silk require a pat-down first. The material also affects the warmth and breathability of a robe, as well as how it holds up over time.

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