Robes : A Buying Guide

Robes: A buying guide

At Robe.com, we believe everyone deserves a little - make that a lot of - luxury. If you've ever admired the thick, waffle weave of a spa robe, or cuddled up in a chenille or microfiber throw, you'll be happy you came to Robe.com. This is the place for every material of robe you can imagine. Luxury spa robes make wonderful gifts. Luxurious yet practical, traditional yet modern, stylish yet comfortable. Consider a robe for special occasions such as weddings, anniversaries, birthdays, Valentine's Day, Mother's Day, and, of course, Christmas and Hanukkah. Technology and innovation in materials have made a huge impact on the types of luxury robes available. Hence, with so many different robes to choose from, deciding on the right one can be overwhelming. Our guide will help you distinguish among the many types and styles of robes. You'll be able to make a better decision choosing the right robe for yourself and for your friends and family. Most important in choosing a robe is, of course, the fabric. A robe's material defines the touch and feel, absorbency, and overall weight. Fabric types can range from traditional cotton and satin to toasty cashmere and smooth microfiber. Following are some benefits of these materials:

Luxury Spa Robes

Brushed microfiber on the outer shell and cotton terry on the lining creates a robe that will make you feel pampered and serene. A silky exterior gives the dual layer microfiber robe a lovely look and a soft feel while the long loop terry interior gives the robe water absorption ability and further softness.

Spa robes make ideal gifts for weddings, birthdays, baby showers, anniversaries, and holidays. New to the marketplace, many of today's luxury day spas use these dual layer microfiber robes as their in-house spa robes for guests. Many spas sell these robes for over $120. Compare prices, because not all luxury microfiber spa robes are made with the same quality. Top of the line microfiber spa robes should have the extra detailing and trimmings. Visit our top quality spa robes.

Benefits:

• Clean and sleek look.
• Good water absorption.
• Light weight.

Cotton Waffle Robes

Waffle weaved cotton is characterized by squared or diamond checker patterns. Commonly used in the hotel and spa industry and for promotional corporate gifts, most waffle cotton robes are reasonably priced and ideal for hotels and spas that regularly purchase robes in high volume. 100% cotton naturally makes the material absorbent, breathable, and comfortable. Shrinkage can be an issue, so look for pre-shrunk treatments for these robes.

Benefits:

• Inexpensive.
• Ideal for bulk purchasing for hotels and spas.
• Great for warm climates.

Cotton Terry Robes

Turkish and Egyptian cotton are commonly used in towels and these classic bathrobes. They feature water absorption ability, especially if the fabric density / weight is high. Thus, these high-end cotton terry robes are good for use out of the shower but tend to be thick and heavy especially when absorbed with water. Due to 100% cotton fabric, cotton terry robes are subject to shrinkage problems. Pre-shrunk treatments are recommended.

Benefits:

• Good water absorption.
• Commonly found in spas and hotel rooms.
• Comfortable cotton terry.

Velour Robes

The soft and velvety velour robes have a feel akin to velvet. Easy machine washing makes clean up a breeze. Look for 100 % cotton or polyester.

Benefits:

• Soft to the touch.
• Warm and insulating.
• More luxurious than most robes.
• Look for cotton or poly.

Satin and Silk Robes

Silk and satin robes are known to have a smooth feel. Great as lounge wear and ideal for the summer. Silk or satin robes are not as water-absorbant as cotton or looped microfiber robes. However, for a glamorous, silky saunter, wrap yourself up in a satin robe.

Benefits:

• Silky feel.
• Light weight.
• Romantic aura.

Cashmere Robes

Nothing compares to the rich warmth of cashmere, and its price shows. However, you'll find many varieties of cashmere and should be aware of the quality before buying. Cashmere contains specialty animal hair fibers that are collected during animals' molting season. Cashmere robes are used as warm lounging clothes especially ideal for winter seasons. They boast insulating properties and are of a light weight.

Benefits:

• Warm and soft.
• Light weight.
• Dry clean mostly.

Microfiber Robes

Microfibers are finer than silk, thanks to technology that allows the fibers to be much thinner than hair. Microfiber is more lightweight and breathable than other natural and synthetic fibers. You'll find it can be woven and brushed into a suede-like fabric for a luxurious, soft feel similar to that of silk. It can be "split" to create millions of micro-loops to further enhance its soft and lightweight characteristics. Microfiber is a great all-year, all-weather fabric. These robes are relatively new to the market and are increasingly popular at retail shops and upscale spas and resorts.

Benefits:

• Good water absorption.
• Ultra-light weight.
• Soft feel.

Chenille Robes

Chenille robes have always been popular, and have become even more so thanks to the advent of micro-chenille fabric. Micro-chenille robes are made with 100% polyester, but are nonetheless high quality, soft, and warm. Even Oprah has touted chenille robes on her show. Beware, though, of the quality of the chenille. You'll find excellent micro-chenille robes and ones of very low quality. High-end chenille robes are soft and lightweight. But the low-end ones look exactly the same. Be sure to touch and feel them before you buy.

Benefits:

• Warm
• Soft
• Light weight.

In addition, other important issues to consider when purchasing a robe are the construction and size. Not all robes are constructed equally. Features such as collars, cuffs, and pleated side pockets add extra cost to the robe but increase comfort and style.

Be aware of one size fits all robes. Many manufacturers offer one size fits all robes to minimize the amount of inventory. In general, no matter where you buy your robe, make sure the retailer offers various sizes. You deserve the utmost in quality and comfort.