How to choose the best dressing gowns for women
With so many dressing gowns to choose from, it can be hard to make your choice - here are some things to consider when making your choice:
Material - Fabrics such as towelling cotton are the most absorbent if you’re planning to wear your dressing gown straight from the shower, whereas waffle or modal is a great choice if you tend to run warm or want a lightweight, moisture-wicking gown to wear on milder days without overheating. For maximum warmth, fleece or plush polyester fabrics tend to offer the most soft and comfortable feel against your skin.
Length - How much coverage do you want your dressing gown to provide? Some dressing gowns are a shorter length, sitting on, or just above, the knee. This can provide freedom for more active days around the home. On colder days, however, you may prefer a dressing gown that covers more of your legs or skims your lower calf for toasty warm legs.
Hood - For the best hibernation feels, a hood can allow you to really snuggle up and hide away from the world - but not all women’s dressing gowns have them. If a hood is high up on your dressing gown checklist - be sure to check the full specs.
Pockets - Dressing gown pockets can be another useful feature - the deeper the better. Not only are they ideal for stashing snacks or your mobile phone, but they're great to tuck your hands into for luxurious comfort when lounging on the sofa.
Colour - Do you have a colour preference? Lighter colours such as white and grey look crisp and fresh, creating the clean, calm aesthetic you might expect from your local spa. Add kids, makeup and snacks into the mix, however, and they can quickly stain or become dirty. Darker shades can be a more practical choice, or you could opt for a bolder, patterned design or house coat for a stand-out piece.
Machine washable? - How easy is the dressing gown to clean? Can it be thrown into the washing machine on a standard cycle and how long does it take to dry? To keep your dressing gown soft and fluffy, it’s recommended to wash on a cool setting, potentially adding an extra rinse and spin to ensure no laundry detergent is left caught in the fabric. You may also want to wash inside out and separate from other clothes to allow maximum space to spin inside the drum.
Can you tumble dry? Whilst many dressing gowns can dry naturally, using the tumble dryer (where fabric instructions allow) can help restore fullness and softness before you pop it straight back on, fresh from the machine.
Price - How much are you willing to spend? Whilst some dressing gowns may be a significant initial investment, it’s also worth considering value for money on a cost-per-wear basis, especially when energy bills are so high.
How we chose our recommendations
Recommendations from real Mumsnet users
Given the cost of living crisis, there are lots of discussions within the Mumsnet forums on how to keep warm at home this winter, with many users sharing their hints and tips for saving money on energy bills, wrapping up warm, and keeping cosy and comfortable at home.
First, we sought out the trusted opinions of Mumsnet users, to get their feedback on their favourite dressing gowns, as well as the dressing gowns they have worn, rated and would recommend to friends and family.
We also looked out for any negative reviews, where Mumsetters highlighted products that they felt were poor quality or overpriced.
Authentic consumer reviews
Finally, to bring you our definitive list of the best dressing gowns on the market, we thoroughly investigated genuine, in-depth customer reviews on retailer sites such as Amazon, Marks and Spencer and John Lewis to get wider consumer experiences regarding the products on our shortlist.