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10 best women’s dressing gowns and robes you won’t want to take off

Whether you’re stepping out of the shower or having a lazy Sunday, these robes are off-duty staples

Daisy Lester
Wednesday 15 February 2023 10:11
<p>From Honna and Rixo to Asos and M&S, we’ve found loungewear for every budget  </p>

From Honna and Rixo to Asos and M&S;, we’ve found loungewear for every budget

A trusty year-round essential, a dressing gown is the ultimate loungewear staple. There are few better feelings than getting home after a long day and hunkering down on the sofa in your favourite robe (big bowl of pasta optional).

Whether a mainstay of your beauty regime, tonic for chilly evenings or even a high-glamour staple (à la Holly in Breakfast at Tiffany’s), no wardrobe is complete without a dressing gown.

From slinky silk styles and barely there cover-ups to snuggly fleece designs or super-soft cotton robes, the right robe will see you through the cold winter months and into balmy summer evenings.

Whatever your taste, you needn’t spend a fortune on a good dressing gown. On the high street, M&S; and Next remain fail-safe destinations for robes, while H&M;, New Look, Mango and The White Company are all equally reliable.

At the other end of the spectrum, Tekla (Harry Styles’s go-to robe brand), Honna, Eberjay and Rixo are all proving dressing gowns can be functional and fashionable (if you’re willing to splash the cash).

How we tested

To narrow down the search for the best robes, we looked for budget-friendly and investment designs, considering comfort, style and quality. Whether your robe has seen better days or you want to grow your loungewear collection, we’ve rounded up some of the best dressing gowns to buy right now, from dreamy silky designs to cosy fleece styles.

The best women’s dressing gowns for 2023 are:

  • Best dressing gown overall – Desmond & Dempsey towel robe, the jag print, cream: £135, Desmondanddepsey.com
  • Best long dressing gown – Asos Design borg maxi robe in neutral: £34 Asos.com 
  • Best short dressing gown – The White Company snuggle robe: £60, Thewhitecompany.com
  • Best luxury dressing gown – Rixo Marta multi carnation midi dressing gown: £175, Rixolondon.com 
  • Best summer dressing gown – Honna powder blue stripe robe: £150, Honnalondon.com 
  • Best cotton dressing gown – Rituals cotton bathrobe women: £84, Rituals.com
  • Best printed dressing gown – Djerf Avenue fruit robe: £109, Djerfavenue.com
  • Best personalised dressing gown – Soho Home house robe: £85, Sohohome.com
  • Best fleece dressing gown – M&S fleece hooded long dressing gown: £30, Marksandspencer.com
  • Best satin-finish dressing gown – Mango satin-finish robe with belt: £49.99, Mango.com

Desmond & Dempsey towel robe, the jag print, cream

  • Best: Dressing gown overall
  • Size range: S-XL
  • Colourways: Four
  • Length: Midi

Known for its unique prints and quirky takes on nightwear staples, Desmond & Dempsey is a much-loved name in the loungewear world. We were instantly smitten with the label’s luxe jaguar print robe, which wouldn’t be out of place in a boutique hotel. Made from premium cotton, the robe is complete with roomy pockets, a waist tie and mid-length cut.

Boasting an absorbent towelling texture, it’s ideal for cocooning up after showering while still snug enough to throw over pyjamas for a cosy night in. Above all, we love the 1950s Moroccan-inspired print, which features abstract black jaguars on a creamy-grey finish, with a contrasting black lining. Playful, stylish and well-crafted, it’s well worth the investment.

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Asos Design borg maxi robe in neutral

  • Best: Long dressing gown
  • Size range: XS-XL
  • Colourways: Two
  • Length: Maxi

Long, cosy and affordable, Asos’s maxi robe is a stellar loungewear option. Considering the price, we were impressed with just how soft the borg sheepskin-like fabric was. Complete with a tie belt, practical pockets and an enveloping long length, the robe felt like a warm hug. We also loved the addition of smart notch lapels that are reminiscent of trench coats.

Although not as absorbent as others on the market, Asos’s lightweight design is a relaxed, all-year-round robe for layering up at home.

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The White Company snuggle robe

  • Best: Short dressing gown
  • Size range: XS-XL
  • Colourways: Two
  • Length: Short

A brand synonymous with luxe loungewear and home comforts, The White Company’s snuggle dressing gown did not disappoint. Cocooning and super soft, the robe’s fluffy fabric is cut into a comfortable, relaxed fit, with a hem cut that falls just above the knee. Better still, there’s a generous hood that provides an extra plush layer during cold winter evenings.

Just as comfortable against bare skin after a shower as it is over your pyjamas on the sofa, this dressing gown feels like you’re wearing a furry duvet, securing it as a lazy Sunday staple.

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Rixo Marta multi carnation midi dressing gown

  • Best: Luxury dressing gown
  • Size range: UK 6-20
  • Colourways: One
  • Length: Maxi

Rixo injects the same retro elegance into its dressing gowns as it does with its cult dresses – and its Marta robe is a luxe take on loungewear. Boasting a long, near-ankle length (even on our 6ft tester), shawl collar, subtly sheer material and long sleeves, a waist tie cinches in the slightly A-line cut.

We were instantly smitten with the red-, blue- and cream-hued, hand-painted floral print that’s set against a black base, with the white piping on the cuffs, tie and front providing some pleasing contrast.

The satin design is lightweight and silky against skin yet breathable, making it an investment for all-year-round wear. Reminiscent of 1940s and 1950s dressing gowns, you’ll get your cost-per-wear, as the vintage-inspired design is luxe enough to be worn outside the house, too.

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Honna powder blue stripe robe

  • Best: Summer dressing gown
  • Size range: One size
  • Colourways: Four
  • Length: Midi

Classic and stylish, there’s a reason why Honna’s powder blue stripe robe is a firm favourite among the fashion set. The full-length robe is woven from soft GOTs-certified organic cotton before being printed with bespoke dyes. The powder blue horizontal stripes look just as good on as they do hanging from a hook in your bathroom or bedroom, while we love the design detail of the slightly flared sleeves.

Complete with a matching tie to cinch it in, the one-size robe is pleasingly oversized and airy. Lightweight and soft against skin, it will serve you right through winter and into summer. Although pricey, this timeless take on nightwear will be cherished.

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Rituals cotton bathrobe women

  • Best: Cotton dressing gown
  • Size range: S-XL
  • Colourways: Six
  • Length: Midi

Breathable during summer and cosy throughout winter, you can’t go wrong with a cotton dressing gown. Coming in a choice of six colours (we love the bright ochre-yellow), this Rituals robe ticks all our boxes.

Perfect for hunkering down on chilly evenings or layering over your WFH uniform, the robe’s long length is teamed with a sizable hood, two slip pockets and a tie belt.

Made from 100 per cent sustainable-sourced cotton, the soft dressing gown is thick, moisture absorbent and comfortable. Complete with the brand’s signature embroidery on the left sleeve, this luxurious touch had us dreaming of our next trip to the spa.

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Djerf Avenue fruit robe

  • Best: Printed dressing gown
  • Size range: XS-XXL
  • Colourways: Four
  • Length: Midi

Made from the same soft and smooth fabric as the brand’s towels, this robe from Matilda Djerf’s label Djerf Avenue will inject some fun into your nightwear roster. Boasting a shawl collar, tie waist, midi hem and hanger hook, the dressing gown is hand printed with a playful fruit bowl print made up of cherries, blueberries, pomegranates and more.

Thanks to its moisture-absorbent towel material, it’s a dream to bundle yourself up in post-shower, while the warm and cosy design will serve as your favourite new cover-up during your beauty routine.

Owing to the Matilda Djerf-effect and the versatility of the robe, it’s no surprise that it sold out in every size soon after launching, but you can sign up for email notifications when it comes back in stock.

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Soho Home house robe

  • Best: Personalised dressing gown
  • Size range: One size
  • Colourways: Seven
  • Length: Maxi

The same dressing gown that adorns the hooks of its hotel bedrooms and Cowshed spas, Soho Home’s house robe adds a touch of decadence to your night-time routine. Crafted from 100 per cent recycled polyester, it’s soft and cosy with an enveloping long length.

Featuring an embroidered Soho Home logo on the chest, the dressing gown comes in a choice of seven colours, ranging from sage green to classic white. Warming us up after showers, we love the fluffy texture and roomy hood. Best of all, there’s the option to get it personalised with up to three characters, making it a lovely gift for someone or a keepsake for yourself.

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M&S fleece hooded long dressing gown

  • Best: Fleece dressing gown
  • Size range: XS-XL
  • Colourways: One
  • Length: Midi

A fail-safe destination for dressing gowns (and just about every other type of nightwear), M&S;’s robes are just as reliable as they are affordable. This £30 design boasts a lovely long-pile finish, with the fleece feeling soft and snug against bare skin and layers underneath.

Complete with a cosy hood, functional pockets and a tie belt, the midi-length cut is teamed with long, insulated sleeves. Keeping us warm and toasty after showers but also providing an extra layer of heat when WFH without the heating on, it’s a loungewear essential that proves you don’t have to spend a fortune.

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Mango satin-finish robe with belt

  • Best: Satin-finish dressing gown
  • Size range: S-L
  • Colourways: One
  • Length: Midi

A stellar high-street option, Mango’s satin-effect dressing gown is a glamorous and sleek cover-up. Boasting a silky, flowy fabric, it falls into a flattering silhouette with a tie belt enabling you to cinch in the piece.

We love the deep-berry purple finish of the robe, which complements any lingerie underneath, while the design is breathable and roomy. Lightweight enough to ensure you won’t overheat while lounging during the balmier months, it’s set to be a summer staple in our nightwear collection.

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The verdict: Women’s dressing gowns

Although undeniably an initial investment, you’ll get more than your cost-per-wear with Desmond & Dempsey’s robe. Finished in a stylish jag print, the water-absorbent towelling design kept us warm post-shower, while the comfortable fit is ideal for layering over loungewear during cold evenings.

An all-year-round nightwear essential that’s chic enough to be worn even outside the house, Rixo’s robe is perfect for those looking for luxury, while we can’t fault M&S’s affordable and cosy design.

Looking for more clothing inspiration? Check out our round-up of the best women’s winter coats

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