Men's Dressing Gown Guide: Fabric, Collar, Length and Care

The right men's dressing gown depends on when you wear it. Is it a light layer over your pyjamas on a bright spring morning, or something to keep you warm in a cool sitting room in January? Fabric is the first decision; collar, belt, pockets and length follow. Here is a practical guide to the options in the Ambassador1867 range.

If you mainly need something for the minutes straight after a shower, a bathrobe with towelling inside is usually the better choice; our guide Dressing gown or bathrobe? explains the difference. This article is about the dressing gown itself: the robe you put on over your nightwear.

Fabrics for a men's dressing gown

Dressing gowns can look alike in photographs but feel completely different. Four fabrics run through our collection.

Cotton satin. The Megeve dressing gown is made from 100% organic cotton satin with a soft surface. Satin here is a weave of cotton, not silk, so this is a men's cotton dressing gown with a smooth finish. That smoothness makes it a natural pick if you want a lightweight dressing gown that does not feel heavy over your pyjamas. Megeve carries the classic signature print, framed by satin piping and plain contrast details.

Flannel. The Oslo dressing gown is made from 100% organic cotton that is twill-woven and brushed on the surface, which gives the flannel a soft, warm feel. Classic checks are paired with plain satin piping.

Cotton and wool. Glencove comes in a version made from 80% cotton and 20% wool: the cotton brings softness and the wool adds warmth. The inside has a flannel finish, so the side worn against the body is especially soft. Glencove Black Watch is also made from a blend of wool and cotton, in the distinctive Black Watch tartan.

Velour. Davos is a men's velour dressing gown in a stretch quality. The soft surface and flexibility of the fabric are part of its character, while silver-coloured contrast details at the collar, pockets and cuffs give it a distinctive, classic look.

Lightweight or warm?

Think about the temperature of your home and the season in which you will wear the gown most. If your house runs warm, or you mostly reach for a dressing gown in summer, a lightweight cotton satin design such as Megeve is a good starting point. Satin typically feels smooth and cool against the skin and sits lightly over pyjamas.

If you feel the cold in the morning, or like to linger over coffee and the paper, look at flannel or cotton with wool. Oslo is described as soft and warm, and Glencove is intended for those who want a warm fabric for relaxed mornings and evenings. Davos is a third option if freedom of movement matters most: the velour is soft and the stretch quality moves with you.

Many men end up with two: a light gown for the warmer months and a warmer one for winter. If you only have room for one, choose for the months when you will wear it most.

Collar, belt and pockets

The shawl collar is the classic collar on a men's dressing gown: soft, rounded and without lapels, so it lies neatly around the neck. Megeve, Oslo, Glencove Black Watch and Davos all have a shawl collar. On Davos it is picked out in silver-coloured contrast, while piping frames the edges of Megeve and Oslo.

The tie belt lets you wrap the gown at the waist and decide how closely it sits. Pockets are more than decoration: side pockets hold a phone, glasses or simply your hands, and a chest pocket adds a traditional touch. Glencove Black Watch has a chest pocket as well as two side pockets, and on Oslo the checked fabric is set diagonally at the chest pocket and cuffs as a subtle detail. Both of these models also have turn-back cuffs.

If you prefer things simple, Rome is a classic dressing gown with a waist belt and pockets, easy to slip on in the morning or wear as an extra layer over nightwear in the evening.

Length and fit

A dressing gown should sit comfortably over whatever you sleep in, without pulling across the shoulders when you reach forward. Oslo and Glencove Black Watch have a closer fit than the brand's bathrobes, while retaining generous room and length. That gives a neater look as you move around the house.

Our products run large, so use the size guide on the product page and consider a size down if you are between two. Try the gown on over the pyjamas you normally wear underneath. If you want your dressing gown and pyjamas to work together, you will find ideas in our guide Pyjamas and dressing gown together.

Caring for your dressing gown

Always follow the care label in the specific gown: the fabrics differ, and a shared fibre does not necessarily mean shared washing instructions. A few general habits help most dressing gowns, though:

• Air it between wears. Wool and flannel in particular benefit from hanging freely overnight, so they need washing less often.
• Use a hanger. A broad hanger keeps the shoulders and shawl collar in shape better than a narrow hook.
• Wash with similar colours. Patterned and dark gowns are best washed with colours like their own.

Questions about men's dressing gowns

What is the difference between a dressing gown and a robe?

The words are often used for the same thing: an extra layer over nightwear at home. Look at the fabric of the individual design rather than the name alone.

Is satin the same as silk?

No. Satin is a weave. Megeve is made from 100% organic cotton satin: cotton woven to give a smooth, soft surface.

Which dressing gown is best for winter?

Look at flannel and cotton with wool. Oslo is in brushed cotton flannel with a soft, warm feel, and in Glencove the wool adds warmth.

Browse the full range of men's dressing gowns and find the fabric that suits your mornings. Every product is covered by our 10-year quality guarantee, and you have 14 days to return from the day you receive your order.