Waffle, Towelling or Fleece Dressing Gown? How to Choose Fabric, Size and Length (UK Guide)

Search for a dressing gown and you will meet three fabric names almost straight away: waffle, terry towelling and fleece. They look similar on a hanger, but they behave very differently once you are wearing them, and picking the wrong one is the usual reason a robe ends up unused at the back of a wardrobe. This guide explains what each fabric is, what the GSM figure means, and how to measure yourself so the size and length are right first time.

The three fabrics, in plain terms

Waffle

Waffle is a cotton weave with a raised, honeycomb pattern. The pockets in the weave give it surface area for soaking up water, but the cloth itself is thin and light compared with towelling. That makes it quick to dry and easy to pack, which is why it is the classic spa and holiday robe. It is a good choice if you tend to feel too warm in heavy fabrics, or if you want something to wear after a bath all year round.

Terry towelling

Terry is cotton woven with thousands of tiny loops on the surface, the same construction as a bath towel. The loops hold a lot of water, so it is the most absorbent of the three, and it is also the heaviest and slowest to dry. Most towelling robes are 100% cotton, which suits a robe you will put on straight after a shower. Expect it to be bulkier in a suitcase.

Fleece

Fleece is a knitted synthetic fabric, normally 100% polyester. Several of the fleece robes we stock are listed as polyester flannel fleece or velvet-touch fleece, and the velour robes are 92% polyester and 8% elastane. Polyester fibre takes up very little water, so fleece is a poor substitute for a towel. What it does well is trap warmth and feel soft, which makes it a lounging layer for cold mornings rather than a bathing layer. Fleece can also feel too warm indoors if your heating is on, so think about where you will actually wear it.

What GSM means (and why it matters)

GSM stands for grams per square metre. It is the weight of one square metre of the cloth, so a higher figure means a denser, heavier fabric. It is most useful for comparing two cotton robes: a higher GSM towelling robe will usually feel thicker and take longer to dry than a lower one. It is not a quality score on its own, and it does not compare well across different fabrics, because a 300 GSM waffle and a 300 GSM fleece will feel nothing alike. Not every supplier publishes it, so treat it as a clue when it is there rather than something to hold out for.

Which fabric for which job

As a rough guide: choose waffle for after the bath and for travelling, terry towelling if you want the most absorbency and do not mind the weight, and fleece if the robe is mainly for warmth around the house. If you only want one robe for everything, a cotton waffle or towelling robe is the more versatile pick, because it works both after bathing and as a lounging layer over pyjamas. Our dressing gowns and robes include all three fabrics, in women's, men's and unisex cuts, so you can compare them side by side.

How to get the size right

Robes are rarely cut to a precise chest measurement, and many suppliers give only size bands such as S to XL or UK 8-10, 12-14, 16-18 and 20-22. A simple method works better than guessing:

1. Measure yourself. Use a soft tape around the fullest part of your bust or chest, keeping it level and snug but not tight. Note the figure in centimetres and inches.
2. Add room for what you wear underneath. A robe sits over pyjamas or a towel, so you need some ease. A few centimetres is a sensible allowance for thin nightwear, and a little more if you wear thick loungewear underneath or want a relaxed, wrap-over fit.
3. Measure a robe you already own. Lay a comfortable one flat, measure straight across from underarm to underarm and double the number. That gives you the garment chest measurement you actually like, which you can compare against any size chart.
4. If you are between sizes, size up. A belted or wrap robe forgives extra room far better than it forgives a gap that will not close.

Be aware that some listings, including a few of our own, do not publish chest measurements, only size bands. Where that is the case, use the band as a guide and rely on the measuring method above rather than assuming a size will match your usual high street fit.

If you are buying for the evening routine, it also helps to think about what goes under the robe. Our women's pyjamas come in a wide range of cuts, and a looser set will sit more comfortably under a fitted robe than a long, bulky one.

Getting the length right

Length is the measurement people forget. Most people like the hem to finish somewhere between the knee and the ankle. For a mid-calf hem, measure from the bone at the base of your neck down to the point on your leg where you want it to land. As a reference point, the men's fleece dressing gowns we stock are listed at approximately 120 cm (47 in) long. Compare that with your own neck-to-calf measurement before you order, and remember a very long robe is a trip hazard on stairs, particularly if you are wearing slippers.

Speaking of which, a sensible pair of slippers with a grippy sole makes a long robe safer on hard floors, and our women's sandals and slippers are worth a look if yours are past their best.

Belt, zip, hood or shawl collar?

The fastening changes how the robe feels more than most people expect. A belt gives an adjustable fit and works across a range of sizes. A zip-through robe stays closed without fuss, which is handy if you are carrying things, but it is less forgiving if you size too small. A hood adds warmth around the neck and can be a nuisance if you sleep in the robe or sit back against a sofa. A shawl collar lies flat and suits those who dislike hoods. Pockets are worth checking for too, as not every listing mentions them.

Caring for each fabric

Always follow the care label on the garment itself, as fibre content and finishes vary. In general, cotton waffle and towelling robes cope well with regular machine washing, and many people skip fabric softener on towelling because it can coat the loops and reduce absorbency. Fleece is best washed on a gentler cycle and dried at a low heat or air dried, since polyester fibres can mat or pill if treated roughly. Washing a new robe before first wear is a good habit, especially for darker colours.

A short checklist before you buy

Decide whether the robe is for bathing or for warmth, which points you to cotton or fleece. Measure your chest and your neck-to-calf length. Compare them with the size band and any length given in the listing. Choose a fastening that suits how you actually use it. If you are building a cosy evening set, our women's loungewear collection pairs well with a robe on top.