Towels and robesCompared
Waffle, towelling, fleece or cotton: dressing gown fabrics compared
Waffle, cotton towelling, fleece and plain cotton dressing gowns side by side: weight, warmth, how well each dries you, how fast it dries and how to wash it.
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Choose cotton towelling if you want a dressing gown that dries you like a bath towel, and waffle cotton if you want something light that dries quickly. Fleece is the warmest but absorbs almost nothing, so it suits a cold house rather than the bathroom. Plain cotton is the light, smart choice for the evening.
The four fabrics side by side
| Fabric | Weight | Warmth | Dries you | Dries itself | Washing |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cotton towelling | Medium to heavy | Warm | Very well | Slowly | Easy, at home |
| Waffle cotton | Light | Light | Fairly well | Quickly | Easy, at home |
| Fleece | Light to heavy | Warmest | Barely | Very quickly | Cool wash, low heat |
| Plain cotton | Light | Light | A little | Quickly | Easy, at home |
The table is a starting point. A heavy waffle gown can be warmer than a thin towelling one, and many gowns mix fabrics, such as a towelling inside with a smoother outside.
Cotton towelling: the one that dries you
Towelling, or terry, is the fabric of a bath towel. Its surface is covered in small loops, and those loops soak up water; longer loops absorb more. Towelling is usually 100% cotton, though some contains polyester. Longer, denser loops make a robe more absorbent, so a thick towelling gown dries you almost like a bath sheet.
The trade-off is weight. A heavy towelling gown holds a lot of water, so it takes time to dry and is bulky in a suitcase. A heated towel rail or a warm spot to hang it helps. Towelling also comes in a velour finish, where the loops on one side are cut to give a smooth, soft surface. Velour looks smarter but, with fewer loops, it absorbs less than plain terry.
Waffle and towelling dressing gowns
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Waffle: light, and dries fast
Waffle fabric has a pattern of small raised squares, which is why it is also called honeycomb. It is usually cotton or microfibre. The raised texture soaks up water well for such a light fabric, and air moves through the weave, so it dries quickly. A waffle robe is chosen for lightness; towelling is still the more absorbent gown.
That makes waffle the gown for a warm bathroom, for summer, or for people who dry off with a towel first and want a light layer afterwards. It also packs flat for travel, and a waffle gown hung on the back of a door is dry again well before the next bath.
Fleece: the warmest, for a cold house
Fleece is a polyester fabric, sometimes made from recycled plastic bottles, and comes in weights from light to heavy; the heavier grades are warmer. Fleece is a napped, insulating fabric, which is why it feels warm. When wet it holds less than 1% of its weight in water and dries in one to four hours, so it will not dry you after a bath.
Caring for a fleece gown
Lower-quality fleece pills, high heat can damage it, and like other synthetics it sheds tiny fibres in the wash. A cool wash and a low dryer setting, or none, keep it soft for longer. Brushing a fleece gown gently when it starts to look flat lifts the pile again.
Plain cotton and smarter fabrics
A plain woven cotton gown is light and cool, with a crisper look than towelling. It is a dressing gown for wearing over nightwear in the evening rather than for drying off, and it suits a warm house or summer. Silk and cashmere gowns sit at the top of the range and often need hand washing or dry cleaning, while cotton and towelling wash easily at home.
Mixed and lined gowns
Many gowns combine two fabrics to get the best of each. A towelling lining with a smoother cotton or velour outside dries you while looking neater. A fleece or velour lining inside a woven outer fabric is the warm evening gown. When a gown mixes fabrics, check the care label for the more delicate one, since the whole gown has to be washed to suit it.
For collars, length and fit, see how to choose a dressing gown, and for a present, the dressing gown gift guide. For the rest of the bathroom, start at the UK luxury bath guide.
Frequently asked questions
Is waffle or towelling better for a dressing gown?
Towelling if you want the gown to dry you, since its loops absorb more water. Waffle if you want something light that dries quickly between uses and packs small. Waffle suits you if you towel off first.
Does a fleece dressing gown dry you after a bath?
No. Fleece holds less than 1% of its weight in water, so it will not soak up much from your skin. It is a warm gown for wearing round the house, best put on once you are dry.
What is a waffle dressing gown made of?
Usually cotton or microfibre, woven with a pattern of small raised squares, also called honeycomb. The pattern lets air through, which is why waffle fabric dries quickly.
Why does my fleece dressing gown go bobbly?
Lower-quality fleece pills, forming small balls on the surface, and high heat makes it worse. Wash it cool, turn it inside out and skip the tumble dryer or use a low setting.
Which dressing gown fabric is easiest to wash?
Cotton towelling and plain cotton wash easily at home. Fleece washes well too but needs a cool wash and low heat. Silk and cashmere often need hand washing or dry cleaning.
Sources
- Waffle fabricWikipedia
- TerryclothWikipedia
- Polar fleeceWikipedia
- BathrobeWikipedia
- The British Boxers guide to dressing gowns: history, materials, styles and how to choose the perfect oneBritish Boxers
Start here: Luxury bath and spa at home, the UK guide
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