The Best Bathrobes for Men and Women in 2023

Jun 09, 2024

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By Lisa Lombardi

A good bathrobe is a supremely practical loungewear essential, but that’s not even its greatest asset: “It’s self-care in a piece of clothing,” as Audrey Slater, the Madison, Conn.-based chief wardrobe stylist for “Live with Kelly and Ryan” puts it. You can wrap up in a robe to dry off after a shower, warm up on a chilly morning, protect your outfit while getting ready or even take the dog out on a walk.

So the hunt for a perfect one starts with a few key questions: Do you like being enveloped in warmth—or do you want something to help keep you cool? Do you long to curl up in plush fabrics—or do you need something to wear to power through chores around the house?

It’s also important to find a fabric and texture that feels comfortable to you, says Los Angeles-based fashion stylist Melissa Chataigne. Most of the robes on our list are made of soft and breathable natural fabrics including cotton and bamboo; our coziest pick is a soft microfiber blend. Live somewhere warm? You may prefer a lightweight cotton gauze or linen, says Laura Krohn, director of wellness at Loma de Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio.

After testing 13 popular robes—all with belt loops (so the adjustable belt doesn’t get lost) and an interior loop for hanging in the bathroom—we landed on seven standouts.

$123 at Cozy Earth

$170 Save $47

Cozy Earth’s spa-style Waffle Bath Robe is warm and comfy without feeling too hot or heavy.

Of all the robes we tested, this Cozy Earth pick felt the most luxurious, thanks to its combination of soft ribbed terry on the inside and tight waffle weave material on the outside. The robe is soft and has a luxe, heavyweight feel—to get technical, the fabric is 600 grams per square meter (GSM), a measurement of density, where higher numbers mean the fabric is denser and therefore more sumptuous.

We also appreciate that the 60% cotton and 40% bamboo fabric is structured enough to hold its shape, providing a flattering fit that avoids the sloppy look that some other robes have.

This was the robe we reached for the most on cold mornings during our testing process, since it offered enough warmth to feel cozy, but it was still comfortably lightweight and breathable. We also loved its large front-facing pockets for storing small items while wearing the robe around the house.

Another plus: It washes and dries well and got softer the more we washed it. Sizes range from XS/S to XL/XXL (for reference, I’m a size 4 and the XS/S size fit well).

$109 at Parachute

Parachute’s 4-ply gauze cotton robe is airy and easy to move in while still providing a comfortable layer of warmth.

Parachute’s Cloud Cotton Robe has a lot going for it: It’s lightweight and easy to move in, since it’s made of 100% Turkish cotton in a gauzy weave. (Slater calls this fabric her “absolute favorite” for bathrobes because it’s “not stiff and bulky,” which makes it perfect for doing hair and makeup.) It provided a relaxed fit and was the most comfortable to wear while motoring through a busy morning that included blow-drying our hair, cooking breakfast and working at our laptop.

It was also as good as the Brooklinen Linen Robe (more on that one later) at keeping us cool. While testing, we noted how each robe felt while wearing after a shower, and the Parachute Cloud Cotton and Brooklinen linen versions were the two that didn’t leave us even slightly sweaty.

Other benefits: The Parachute robe is longer and less see-through than other cotton gauze models we tried out. It comes in a range of shades, including deep ones that we would feel comfortable wearing in front of houseguests. It washes well and dries quickly, too. Overall, this robe is a superb everyday, year-round robe for people who almost never get to sit down.

$107 at Sobel at Home

This is a luxurious resort-quality, poly-cotton-modal-blend robe that kept us warm and cozy at home.

Compared with the other robes we assessed, Sobel Westex’s Urbana Spa Rest Diamond Jacquard Robe felt the warmest and most plush, with a velvety-soft inner layer and tightly woven diamond jacquard exterior. It’s no coincidence it gives off a resort-robe vibe: the company says it supplies textiles to luxury hotel chains and spas around the world.

A big advantage of its poly-cotton-modal blend is that it dries fast (like most of our winners, it is machine-washable). We also appreciated the roomy pockets, as well as the fact that the generous shawl collar provides an extra bit of warmth.

One downside to note is the robe comes in only two sizes: S/M and L/XL. If you’re looking for an XXS or XXL size, you’ll do better with Cozy Earth, which has similar pluses but comes in a wider range of sizes.

$127 at Brooklinen

$149 Save $22

This lightweight kimono-style linen robe is ideal for warm climates and people who overheat easily.

Brooklinen’s linen robe isn’t ideal for everyone—or for every season—but if you run hot, live in a warm climate or just love the natural charm of linen, it’s a solid choice.

Made of 100% Belgian and French flax (the plant that linen comes from), the fabric kept us noticeably cool. It was the most comfortable we tried out in a warm bathroom; we felt that it was the perfect pick to wear as we scrambled to get groomed before going out. The robe only comes in two colors, but we loved the Charcoal Chambray—a unique dark gray flecked with white that almost reads as dark denim.

One quibble is this robe comes in only one size—and in this case, one size does not fit all. We estimate this robe equates to a women’s medium. Also, it’s machine-washable and -dryable, but it comes out of the dryer looking like, well, linen (i.e., wrinkled). So if you don’t love that lived-in look and aren’t one to iron a robe, this might not be the right pick for you, and another lightweight option like Parachute’s Cloud Cotton Robe is worth considering.

$170 at Quince

This combination robe-sweater is a versatile pick if you want loungewear you can wear just about anywhere.

If you’re looking for a robe you can relax in or wear while hosting guests or walking down the drive for the mail, you’ll find that Quince’s Mongolian Cashmere Robe delivers on all fronts.

We particularly liked the cut of this robe—it’s sleek but just generous enough to wrap fully in front. The long length is nice, too—we found ourselves throwing this on over our clothes, in fact, while working from home. It wasn’t comfortable for using post-shower, though, since cashmere can feel itchy on damp skin. That said, we could definitely see ourselves wearing this out of the house.

One negative is that this robe is not machine-washable (the brand recommends hand washing it). Still, it’s a stylish, cozy piece of transitional loungewear—one that’s roughly half the price of other cashmere robes we came across during our research.

$84 at Brooklinen

$99 Save $15

This Turkish cotton robe is a solid choice for people who want to step out of the shower and into a soft, absorbent robe.

In the traditional terry bathrobe category, the Brooklinen Super-Plush Robe was a standout. Its Turkish cotton is 380 GSM and feels as plush and heavyweight as that of a high-end bath towel.

Since it’s warm and absorbent, it is wonderful to step into straight out of the shower. “Terry cloth is great to absorb moisture post-bath,” says Chataigne, and we agreed after wearing this robe. It feels indulgent to snuggle up in after an evening shower, though not ideal for running around the house, as it’s heavy and a bit bulky.

If you want your timeless terry robe in anything but basic white or gray, the Brooklinen delivers, with about 10 good-looking shades including Flamingo Stripe, a wide-striped pink. A note about sizing: The brand calls this a relaxed fit but we found it snug under the arms. If you want a true relaxed fit, we recommend sizing up.

$170 at Reigning Champ

This cozy cotton robe is a great choice for men who want a robe that feels like their favorite loungewear.

Reigning Champ’s Midweight Terry Hooded Robe feels like your coziest sweatshirt (it’s made of 100% cotton), only longer, and it gets softer with machine washing, we found after testing. It even has cuffed sleeves like a sweatshirt (meaning the sleeves won’t get in the way while you make breakfast or wash your hands). The pockets and hood are also nice pluses for both comfort and convenience. And, it makes a great gift for men and teen boys (or anyone you know who loves living in loungewear).

The robe comes in two sizes: S/M and L/XL, and the brand’s website features a size chart with measurements to help you find the right fit. The only downside is it’s heavy, so it makes a better cold-weather robe.

$605 at Olivia von Halle

If you’re looking for a silky robe that won’t take up much room in a closet or a weekend bag, Olivia Von Halle’s robes are another luxurious option (and a celebrity favorite, according to Slater). These 100% silk crepe de Chine robes from the London-based brand breathe well, stay securely fastened and are beautiful to boot. One downside: The delicate fabric requires hand washing or dry cleaning.

$298 at Lunya

$298 at Nordstrom

$298 at Lunya

Lunya’s washable silk robes for men and women check a few boxes. They offer a comfortable, lightweight feel, have pockets and hold up well to regular washing. The women’s robe also comes in a short length. Unlike many robes, it has elasticized, wide wrist bands to keep sleeves from getting in the way while making breakfast. One quibble is that the men’s version only comes in two colors.

$69 at The Company Store

$99 Save $30

The Company Store’s Company Cotton Turkish Cotton Long Robe is a solid choice at a lower price than our top picks. It’s not as soft or densely woven as the other Turkish cotton models we tested, but it gets the job done for under $100. It’s also one of the few options that comes in XXL.

$109 at Parachute

Parachute’s Classic Turkish Cotton Robe is soft and velvety; this 450 GSM robe is just as cozy as our Best Plush Bathrobe pick. It also comes in a wide range of sizes, from XS to 3XL. The reason Brooklinen got the edge is their Super-Plush Robe comes in more colors.

I’ve spent more than two decades covering healthy living and consumer trends for a range of leading publications, including Health, Time and Parents. I’ve reported extensively on sleep, healthy bedding and mindfulness. Since my family has allergies and sensitive skin, I’m particularly attuned to textiles and bringing home the least allergenic products.

In reporting this article, I spoke with Laura Krohn, director of wellness at Loma de Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio; Melissa Chataigne, a Los Angeles-based fashion stylist and television host; and Madison, Conn.-based fashion expert Audrey Slater, chief wardrobe stylist for “Live With Kelly and Ryan.”

We tested 13 robes, trying each out in different situations including slipping into it out of bed in the chilly morning, wearing it out of the shower and doing hair and makeup in a steamy bathroom. We evaluated:

Audrey Slater, Madison, Conn.-based chief wardrobe stylist for “Live With Kelly and Ryan”; celebrity stylist; former fashion director of Shape and Redbook magazines

Melissa Chataigne, Los Angeles-based fashion stylist and television host; fashion correspondent on shows including “Access Hollywood”

Laura Krohn, M.P.H., director of wellness, recreation and retail at Loma de Vida Spa at La Cantera Resort & Spa in San Antonio; certified wellness coach; has held leadership positions at reputable spas from Big Sur to Beijing

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