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Luxury Bathrobes: Plush, Waffle, Terry and Turkish Cotton Compared

Luxury bathrobes by fabric: Turkish cotton terry, waffle weave, plush microfiber and bamboo blends, with sizes and care from Parachute and Barefoot Dreams.

By the Luxury Bath editorial teamUpdated 3 min read7 sources

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Two white bathrobes on wooden hangers hanging from wall hooks in a bathroom

The most luxurious robe is the one that fits how you use it. For drying off after a bath, choose cotton terry: Parachute’s Turkish cotton robe is 450 GSM terry, like a heavy towel. For lounging, choose plush microfiber such as Barefoot Dreams CozyChic. Choose waffle weave for a lighter, faster-drying cotton robe.

Robes split into drying robes and lounging robes. Brand names and prices get the attention, but fabric decides which one you have.

Luxury robe fabrics compared

Fabric Dries you? Weight and warmth Example from a maker’s page
Turkish cotton terry Yes, like a towel Heavy and warm Parachute Classic: 100% long-staple Turkish cotton, 450 GSM
Waffle weave cotton Partly Light, dries quickly Brooklinen Dreamweave waffle robe
Plush polyester microfiber No: it is a knit for lounging Soft and warm Barefoot Dreams CozyChic: 100% polyester microfiber
Cotton and bamboo viscose Some Mid-weight Cozy Earth Luxe: zero-twist cotton and bamboo viscose

Matouk’s glossary explains why terry dries you: the fabric has uncut loops that stand away from the base, the construction a bath towel uses. Zero-twist cotton, as in the Cozy Earth robe, is cotton woven untwisted for softness.

Luxury bathrobes: plush, waffle and Turkish cotton

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Turkish cotton terry robes

A Turkish cotton terry robe is the spa robe, absorbent and warm. Parachute’s Classic robe is made in Turkey from 100% long-staple Turkish cotton at 450 GSM. It has two front pockets, a waist tie and a shawl collar. It comes in XS to 3X, with chest measurements from 42 to 60 inches and lengths from 44.5 to 48.5 inches, and the brand lists OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certification.

For context, 450 GSM falls in the medium band that Home Depot’s towel guide gives for everyday towels (400 to 600 GSM), while Parachute’s Classic bath towels are 700 GSM. The luxury towel guide explains GSM in full.

Plush microfiber robes: Barefoot Dreams and similar

Plush robes are soft knits made for wearing around the house rather than for drying off. Barefoot Dreams’ CozyChic Adult Robe is 100% polyester microfiber. It is unisex and machine washable. The brand sizes it by length, 44, 47 or 50 inches from shoulder seam to hem, and suggests sizing down for a snugger fit.

Care for plush robes

Barefoot Dreams lists the care for its CozyChic robe: machine wash cold on the gentle cycle, then lay flat to dry or tumble dry low. It also says to avoid bleach, dryer sheets and fabric softener. Check the label on your own robe, since care varies by model.

Many brands sell plush or soft-knit robes. Read the fabric line on the brand’s page before you buy: “plush” can mean polyester, cotton or a viscose blend.

Waffle weave robes

A waffle weave has raised squares instead of loops, so it is lighter than terry and dries faster. It suits people who towel off first, and warm bathrooms in summer. Brooklinen sells a waffle robe it calls Dreamweave. Check the fiber line on any waffle robe before you buy.

A white textured cotton robe hanging beside a net bag of dried flowers on a plaster wall

Robes for men, women and extended sizes

Most luxury robes are cut unisex. Barefoot Dreams describes its CozyChic robe as unisex, and Parachute sizes by chest measurement. For extended sizes, Parachute’s range runs to 3X. Measure your chest and preferred length, then compare with the maker’s chart.

To go with the robe: slippers, hair wraps and eye masks

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Warming a robe before you put it on

A towel warmer bucket takes a robe as well as towels: Zadro says its large bucket holds two 40 x 70 inch bath towels and warms robes and blankets too. The towel warmer guide compares buckets and racks.

Robes are one of the easiest luxury gifts to get right, as long as you know the size. The bath and spa gift guide matches robes to people. For the whole bathroom, see the luxury bath at home overview.

Frequently asked questions

What is the most luxurious bathrobe fabric?

It depends on the job. Turkish cotton terry, such as Parachute's 450 GSM Classic robe, dries you like a towel. Plush polyester microfiber, such as Barefoot Dreams CozyChic, is soft and warm for lounging but is not a drying robe. Waffle weave is the lighter cotton option.

Is a waffle or terry robe better after a bath?

Terry, if the robe has to dry you. Matouk describes terry as fabric with loops standing away from the base, the same construction as a bath towel. A waffle robe is lighter and suits warm bathrooms or people who towel off first.

What size bathrobe should I buy?

Check the maker's chart for chest and length. Parachute lists sizes from XS to 3X, with chest measurements from 42 to 60 inches. Barefoot Dreams sizes its CozyChic robe 1, 2 and 3 by length (44, 47 and 50 inches) and says the robe runs generously.

How do you wash a plush microfiber robe?

Barefoot Dreams gives the care for its CozyChic robe as machine wash cold on the gentle cycle, lay flat to dry or tumble dry low, and no bleach, dryer sheets or fabric softener. Always follow the label on your robe.

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