Dressing gown or bathrobe? Choose for your morning

Stepping out of the shower and sitting down with your morning coffee call for different things. After a shower, you need a robe with an inner surface suited to damp skin. Over breakfast, you may care more about how the fabric feels over your pyjamas. Start there when choosing between a dressing gown and a bathrobe.

What is the difference?

A bathrobe is usually chosen for after a bath or shower. A dressing gown is an extra layer to wear at home, often over nightwear. The word robe can describe either, so it tells you little about the fabric itself. Look at the individual design, rather than the name alone.

At Ambassador1867, bathrobes and dressing gowns have separate collections. You can begin with how you will wear yours, then choose the look you prefer.

After a shower: look inside, not just at the surface

A velour exterior may look smooth and soft, but it does not tell the whole story. The Kattegat bathrobe has velour on the outside and terry on the inside. Made from 100% organic cotton, it has a shawl collar, side pockets and a tie belt. Its plain design is a natural starting point if you prefer an understated look.

For another take on the bathrobe, the Skagerak bathrobe also has a terry interior and velour exterior. It is jacquard-woven in 100% organic cotton, with a contrasting shawl collar. Compare the design and details with Kattegat when choosing the look you prefer.

Over nightwear: choose the texture you enjoy wearing

For an extra layer over your pyjamas at breakfast or in the evening, begin with our dressing gowns. Think about the clothes you already enjoy: do you prefer a smooth surface or a fuller feel?

The Megeve dressing gown is made from 100% organic cotton sateen, with a signature print and contrasting details. Sateen describes the cotton weave here; it is not silk. The Davos dressing gown, by contrast, is made from velour, which the product description identifies as stretchy. They offer different starting points, although both have a shawl collar, pockets and a tie belt.

How to assess the fit

A belt lets you adjust the closure, but it cannot correct the wrong shoulder width or sleeve length. Use the sizing information for your chosen design and, if possible, compare it with a robe you already wear. First check whether a size guide gives body measurements or garment measurements: they cannot be compared directly.

• Shoulders and sleeves: You should be able to reach forwards without uncomfortable pulling across your back.
• Room for nightwear: Try it with the layer you would normally wear underneath.
• Closure: Sit down and check that the front panels still overlap comfortably.
• Length: Consider coverage and freedom of movement when walking and taking a step up.

A simple way to choose

If you will mainly wear your robe after a shower, start with the bathrobes and read about the inner surface. For an extra layer over nightwear, begin with dressing gowns and choose the fabric you prefer. If you want it for both, give priority to the way you will use it most. You need not choose by what someone else calls it.