Bathrobe vs. Dressing Gown – Is There a Difference?

Short answer: In everyday speech bathrobe and dressing gown are used interchangeably, and in practice they are the same garment. Traditionally, though, a bathrobe is an absorbent towelling robe for after a shower, while a dressing gown can be thinner and is mostly about comfort and warmth.

The traditional difference

The bathrobe is made for wet skin: thick, absorbent towelling that dries you off after your shower. The dressing gown is meant as a cosy layer over your nightwear, often in thinner and lighter fabric. Today both words usually cover the same thing, and most robes can do both jobs.

A robe that does both

If you choose a robe in bamboo towelling, you do not have to pick a side. It soaks up water like a bathrobe and is at the same time so soft and breathable that it is comfortable as a dressing gown all day. Have a look at the selection of bamboo dressing gowns for men and bamboo dressing gowns for women.

Complete your bathroom

Pair the robe with bamboo towels, which absorb well and dry quickly. And if you want the softness to continue all night, read about better sleep with bamboo bedding and nightwear.

Frequently asked questions

Are a bathrobe and a dressing gown the same thing?

In practice, yes. Traditionally the bathrobe is an absorbent towelling robe for after a shower, while the dressing gown is a cosy layer, but today the words are used interchangeably.

Which robe is best for men after a shower?

An absorbent style in towelling, ideally bamboo towelling, which dries the skin effectively and breathes at the same time.

Can you use the same robe for the bath and for lounging?

Yes, a bamboo towelling robe soaks up water after a shower and is at the same time soft and light enough for everyday lounging.