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I prefer a big, fluffy high-pile bath sheet, but I actually seek the opposite of that in a bathrobe. Sure, it’s initially luxurious to wrap myself up in a super-thick terry cloth, but after only a few minutes, I’m ready to peel it off and sit in front of the air conditioning unit.
I run hot and there’s no time I’m more prone to overheating than when I’m getting ready to leave the house. That said, I still love to lounge in a robe while I’m blow drying my hair or doing my makeup, so the Brooklinen waffle robe is the perfect happy medium.
What’s So Great About the Brooklinen Waffle Robe?
Instead of a standard terry cloth weave that’s composed of tightly-packed loops, this robe is a waffle weave. Waffle textiles are made from raised threads that form little squares, resulting in a honeycomb look that’s lighter weight than typical terry cloth. Waffle material is also highly absorbent thanks to the large surface area.
This waffle weave is made from 100% cotton, which is an essential aspect for me. As someone who runs hot, I avoid any synthetic fabrics, like polyester fleece, as they just trap heat in as opposed to letting your skin breathe. Even when I get a bit warm, I don’t feel trapped or sticky in this robe, which I’ve experienced with robes made from lower quality fibers. I also love how soft it is — both out of the package and after washing — and the weight is similar to an airy, breathable blanket you might have on your bed in the summer months.
This robe is a substantial length (46” for an XS up to 49” for an XL), which is ideal for prolonged lounging, be it getting ready to leave the apartment, taking the garbage down the hallway, or relaxing on the couch on weekend mornings. The sleeves are a bit long on my arms, but I just roll them up once if I’m going to be using my hands to do dishes, laundry, or the like. It also has a generous adjustable belt at the waist. The collar is surprisingly cozy, too, since the material doubles over and creates a sort of cuddly effect around your neck.
My fiancé, Jeffery, and I actually both have the waffle robe. While I prefer to dry off completely with a towel first, Jeffery is the type to finish drying off with a robe, and the waffle texture is perfect for that. It’s basically like a sponge, soaking every last drop of moisture off your body with the added benefit of being cozy enough to hang around in long after you’re out of the shower.
Some reviews on the Brooklinen site mention shrinking after washing, so Brooklinen does recommend sizing up. We haven’t experienced any significant shrinking with our robes, and luckily they run a bit oversized to begin with, so any shrinking that happened in the wash was negligible. For reference, I’m an XL in clothing and have a L robe, and it’s still the right amount of roomy. To prevent shrinking, though, I’d recommend washing on a cold cycle and laying flat or tumbling dry on low heat.
Buy: Brooklinen Waffle Robe, $92.65 (normally $109)
