Men's Bathrobe Guide: Towelling, Velour, Length and Care

The best men's bathrobe is chosen from the inside out. The inside is what meets damp skin after a shower, so towelling is the word to look for first; the outside decides the look, and velour gives a soft, even finish. Both Ambassador1867 bathrobes combine the two, which means your real decision comes down to length, fit, collar and colour.

If you are still deciding whether you need a bathrobe or a dressing gown at all, start with our guide Dressing gown or bathrobe?. This article picks up where that one ends and looks closely at the bathrobe itself.

Towelling or velour: what is the difference?

Towelling, also called terry, is woven with small loops in the yarn. Those loops give the fabric a full, slightly textured surface that absorbs moisture, which is why towelling has always been the classic choice for the minutes straight after a bath. Velour has a short, dense pile that feels soft and looks smooth. It reads quieter and a little smarter than ordinary towelling, so it makes a good outer face for a robe you also want to wear over breakfast.

You do not have to choose one over the other. The Kattegat bathrobe and the Skagerak bathrobe both have soft velour on the outside and terry on the inside, and both are made from 100% organic cotton. In other words, each is a men's towelling dressing gown where the side against your body deals with the damp, while the outside keeps the calm look of velour.

Whenever you compare bathrobes, read the product description rather than relying on the photograph alone. A velour surface can look much the same on screen, but it is the inside that decides how the robe performs when you step out of the shower.

Weight, length and fit

Weight is about warmth, but also about how a robe feels to wear. Some men like a substantial robe to wrap up in on a cold winter morning; others want something easy to slip on and off between the shower and getting dressed. Think about how long you usually keep it on, and whether your bathroom is cool or your home is warm. A robe with towelling on the inside has a different fullness from a thin, smooth one, and that fullness is exactly what makes it comfortable after a bath.

Both Ambassador1867 bathrobes are long designs with a roomy fit and a 20–25 cm overlap at the front. That overlap matters in daily use: it keeps the front panels together when you sit down, and the tie belt can gather the robe at the waist without being pulled tight. A long bathrobe covers more of the legs and keeps more warmth in; if you want more freedom on the stairs or in the kitchen, check the length in the size you are considering.

Please note that our products run large. Use the size guide on the product page and consider going down a size if you are between two. For comparison, the brand's dressing gowns have a closer fit than its bathrobes, so the bathrobe is deliberately the roomier of the two.

Shawl collar or hood?

Hoods are popular on bathrobes because they take the worst of the water from your hair. The shawl collar is the classic alternative: a soft, rounded collar that lies flat around the neck, closes off the draught at the back and gives the robe a neater look as you move around the house. Both Kattegat and Skagerak have a shawl collar, and on Skagerak it is contrast-coloured, so it frames the design clearly.

If you always reach for a towel for your hair anyway, a shawl collar is often the more practical choice, as there is no damp hood hanging down your back. It is ultimately a matter of taste, but it is worth picturing what your own mornings actually look like.

Kattegat or Skagerak?

The difference between the two models is mainly one of character. Kattegat is plain, and the clean surface lets the simple design speak rather than a bold pattern. It comes in colours including navy, black, white, green and red, with a shawl collar, logo embroidery, two side pockets and a tie belt. Kattegat is woven from organic cotton with extra-long fibres.

Skagerak is jacquard-woven from 100% organic cotton and comes in several colour combinations, such as navy, black and grey, or green. The contrast-coloured shawl collar gives it a more graphic look, while the side pockets, logo embroidery and tie belt carry over. For a calm classic, begin with Kattegat; for a little more colour, look at Skagerak.

Drying and caring for your bathrobe

Always follow the care label in the specific bathrobe, as it takes priority over general advice. Beyond that, a few simple habits help a towelling robe stay soft and absorbent:

• Let it dry fully between wears. Hang it on a hook or hanger where air can circulate, rather than folding it away while still damp.
• Wash with similar colours. Keep dark and light robes apart in the wash.
• Give it room in the machine. A long bathrobe is bulky, and it washes and rinses more evenly in a drum that is not overloaded.
• Go easy on fabric conditioner. Many people skip it for towelling, as it can make the loops less absorbent.

If you own two bathrobes, rotating them means one always has time to dry completely. It is a small habit that makes a noticeable difference in the colder months.

Questions about men's bathrobes

What is the difference between a towelling robe and a velour robe?

Towelling has loops that absorb moisture, while velour has a short, dense pile with a soft, even surface. Kattegat and Skagerak combine the two, with velour outside and terry inside.

Can I wear a bathrobe as a dressing gown?

Yes, many men do. If the robe is mainly meant as a layer over your nightwear, though, a dressing gown with a closer fit may suit you better. Browse our dressing gowns in cotton satin, flannel and cotton with wool.

Which size should I choose?

Our products run large. Use the size guide on the product page and, if you can, compare it with a robe you already like before ordering.

Ready to choose? Explore all our men's bathrobes and compare colours and details. Every product is covered by our 10-year quality guarantee, and you have 14 days to return from the day you receive your order.