Types of Bathrobes
Gone are the days of the simple, bulky terry cloth unisex bathrobe with no other options. Today, bathrobes come in a variety of shapes and sizes and are made out of an assortment of fabrics. Like almost everything else in our modern world, the variety of bathrobes available to the average consumer can be overwhelming. You can make the choice easier by learning about the different types of bathrobes available. The following explanations will help you in your choices whether you're looking for a bathrobe for yourself or as a gift for someone else.
Fabric Choices
Bathrobes are available in a variety of fabrics. The traditional terry cloth robe is still popular to pull on immediately after stepping out of a shower or bath since it's heavy and warm and is made out of material that quickly absorbs moisture. For a more luxurious feel, choose a soft, plush cotton with a high weave. The fabric will feel very soft against the skin and is highly absorbent.
Microfiber is one of the newest materials for bathrobes. It's synthetic, usually polyester and cellulose, often created to mimic the texture of natural-fiber material. They're very lightweight so they're comfortable and soft and are designed to maximize water absorption. Although made out of synthetic materials, they are also breathable. This fabric is flammable.
Silk robes are expensive and luxurious. They're rarely worn after bathing since the material doesn't absorb water very well. Although not very practical, they can be worn lounging around your home or, depending on the style and cut, if you wish to wear something sexy and erotic.
Occasionally bathrobes are made out of wool, although the material tends to be itchy against bare skin and doesn't absorb water well. They are, however, warm and are sometimes worn around the house in colder climates. Nylon bathrobes tend to be inexpensive and easily cleaned but don't absorb water well or keep you very warm.
Bathrobe Fabric Weave and Sculpture
Fabric weaves and sculpture affects the look of a bathrobe as well as its ability to absorb moisture. A flannel weave has a soft, tight weave created from loosely spun yarn. Velour is made from cut loops and has the feel of velvet. Velour tends to not absorb moisture well so velour bathrobes usually have a terry cloth inside. Terry weave is the most absorbent type and is a pile fabric made most often from cotton with uncut loops on each side. The denser and longer the loops, the more absorbent the robe will be. A waffle weave has a grid-like appearance just like a waffle.
Sculpture of a bathrobe refers to the styling of the fabric which provides aesthetic appeal and absorbency levels. It doesn't matter how absorbent the fabric of your robe is if the sculpture doesn't take advantage of the fabric's absorbent properties. There are four main types of sculpture.
1. Zig Zag: A "z" pattern most often seen in plush fabric. Helps the fabric absorb water.
2. Waves: Similar to zig zag, but with softer angles.
3. Window pane: Small box pattern which can vary in size. Helps thicker fabrics hang better.
4. Ribbed: Alternating vertical lines most often seen in plush material where one row is plush and the next is sewn material and so on. Helps thicker fabrics hang better.