Tying a bathrobe belt: 3 knots that really hold

Tying a bathrobe – that sounds like a two-second job. Yet almost everyone knows the problem: when you sit down the robe gapes open, on the way to the relaxation room the knot comes undone, and on the lounger it presses into your stomach. Light, smooth fabrics in particular slip open more easily than thick terry. In this guide we show you step by step three knots for tying your bathrobe belt so that it holds, plus a variant for long belts and tips to stop the robe from opening in the first place.

Contents12

1. Before you tie your bathrobe: thread the belt correctly
2. The three knots at a glance
3. Knot 1: Tie your bathrobe with a flat double knot
4. Knot 2: Tie your bathrobe with a bow
5. Knot 3: Tie your bathrobe at the side for the lounger
6. Bonus: wrap a long belt around once
7. Why the bathrobe still comes open – and what helps
8. Tying your bathrobe at the sauna and thermal spa
9. Belt lost or broken?
10. Washing the belt properly
11. Conclusion
12. Frequently asked questions

Before you tie your bathrobe: thread the belt correctly

Most bathrobes have a belt loop on each side at waist height, some also have one at the back in the middle. This is how you prepare the belt:

1. Thread the belt through the loop on one side, run it along your back and pull it through the second loop.
2. The middle of the belt should sit centrally at the back so that both ends are the same length at the front.
3. Close the robe: lay the left front panel well over the right one (or the other way round, as you prefer). The more fabric overlaps, the less the robe will gape later.
4. Place the belt at your waist, not too low on the hips. That is where it holds best.

Only now is it time for the knot. If you tie your bathrobe without overlapping it neatly first, no knot will make you happy.

The three knots at a glance

Knot	Hold	Opening	Ideal for
Double knot (flat)	very good	takes a little fiddling	sauna garden, going outside, smooth fabrics
Bow	good	with one pull	at home, bistro, quick changes
Side knot	good to very good	easy	lounger, reading lying down

Knot 1: Tie your bathrobe with a flat double knot

The flat double knot is basically the knot you know from tying your shoes before the bow – just twice in a row and in alternating directions. That is exactly what makes it so stable.

1. Lay the right end of the belt over the left one, pass it underneath and pull tight.
2. Now lay the end that is now on the left over the right one, pass it through and pull tight again.
3. Check: if the knot lies flat and symmetrical, it is correct. If it sticks out at an angle, you knotted in the same direction both times – then it slips open more easily.

This knot is our recommendation for light robes made of smooth cotton. On the Trimita Barok bathrobe made of a light cotton quality with a tie belt, it holds even on the way through the sauna garden.

Knot 2: Tie your bathrobe with a bow

The bow looks neat and can be undone with a single pull. It suits all moments when you put the robe on and take it off often, for example at home or between a sauna session and the shower.

1. Tie a simple knot (right over left, pull through).
2. Form a loop with one end, wrap the other end around it and pull it through as a second loop – just like a shoe.
3. Pull both loops tight evenly.

Tip for a better hold: finally, knot the two loops loosely together once more. This keeps the bow closed even on smooth fabrics, and it is still easy to undo.

Knot 3: Tie your bathrobe at the side for the lounger

When you lie in the relaxation room, a thick knot at the front presses into your stomach. The solution: tie your bathrobe at the side.

1. Overlap the robe well as described above.
2. Shift the belt so that both ends meet at one hip.
3. Tie a flat double knot or a bow there.

If you like lying on your side, tie the knot on the side facing up. The side knot also looks a little more elegant and goes well with kimono cuts.

Bonus: wrap a long belt around once

Some belts are so long that the ends hang almost to the floor. In that case you can wrap the bathrobe belt around your waist once:

1. Cross both ends at the front and take them to the back.
2. Cross them at the back and bring them to the front again.
3. Tie them at the front or side with a double knot or a bow.

Thanks to the double layer, the robe holds particularly well and the ends no longer dangle. On the lounger, however, the double layer can feel a little bulky.

Why the bathrobe still comes open – and what helps

• Too little overlap: if the front panels hardly overlap, even the best knot will not help. Then the robe may be too small. How to find the right size is explained in our guide to bathrobe sizes.
• Belt too low: on the hips, the belt slips when you walk. At waist height it sits securely.
• Smooth fabric: light cotton and muslin are wonderfully airy, but the belt glides more easily on them. If you want to tie a light bathrobe, the flat double knot is your best choice.
• Same knot direction: "right over left" twice gives a crooked knot that comes undone. Alternate the direction.
• Tied too loosely: the belt should shape the robe, not squeeze you. Pull it tight, but so that you can still breathe in deeply and comfortably.

Tying your bathrobe at the sauna and thermal spa

In many saunas and thermal spas you walk around in your bathrobe between the cabin, outdoor area, relaxation room and bistro. A well-tied robe is not only comfortable here but also a matter of consideration for others. For going outside, tie your bathrobe with a double knot; in the relaxation room, at the side. Where you wear the robe at all and where you do not is explained in our article on the bathrobe at the thermal spa.

Our light Trimita hooded bathrobes made of three-layer muslin have a tie belt and front pockets. According to the product description, the belt shapes the loosely cut robe without constricting. You will find all models in our bathrobes collection.

Belt lost or broken?

Tie belts like to go missing, especially in the washing machine or at the hotel. A quick substitute so you can still tie your bathrobe: fold a hammam towel lengthways into a narrow strip, or roll up a mini hammam towel such as the Mini Hammam Towel Diamant (approx. 90 × 45 cm) lengthways and use it as a belt. That easily lasts a sauna day.

Washing the belt properly

Pull the belt out of the loops before washing and wash it loose alongside the robe. That way it does not get tangled with other items and dries evenly. A belt left knotted in the robe, on the other hand, often stays damp and can leave creases or marks. Follow the care instructions of the robe – for the Trimita Barok, for example, a maximum of 30 °C and no tumble dryer.

Related reading: Bathrobe size: how to find the size and length that really fit · Bathrobe at the thermal spa: where to wear it, where not, and where to put it · Kimono or classic bathrobe? The cuts compared

Conclusion

Tying a bathrobe is easy if you keep two things in mind: overlap well first, then knot at waist height. The flat double knot holds best, the bow opens fastest, and the side knot is the most comfortable solution for the lounger. With these three variants your robe stays closed – whether in the sauna garden, the relaxation room or at home.

Frequently asked questions

How do you tie a bathrobe so that it doesn't come open?

Overlap the front panels well, place the belt at waist height and tie it with a flat double knot in which you alternate the direction.

Should I tie my bathrobe at the front or at the side?

Both work. The front is the classic; the side is more comfortable when lying down and looks a little more elegant.

Which side goes on top of a bathrobe?

There is no fixed rule. All that matters is that the front panels overlap sufficiently.

What can I do if the belt is too long?

Wrap it around your waist once and then tie it at the front or side. That way the ends don't hang down.

How do I undo a knot that has been pulled tight?

Push the knot together slightly to loosen it, then pull out the top loop. With wet belts, it helps to let the robe dry briefly first.

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Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.