Bathrobe in summer: light instead of sweaty
A bathrobe in summer? At first that sounds like sweating. Yet on hot days in particular, a light robe is surprisingly practical: in the morning on the terrace with your first coffee, after a cold shower in the evening, by the pool or in a holiday home. The difference lies almost entirely in the fabric. A thick terry robe that is worth its weight in gold in January turns into a sauna on your body in July. Here you will find out which fabrics are suitable for warm days, in which moments a summer robe really helps and how to care for it so that it gets through the season well.
Contents8
Why a bathrobe in summer has to be different
A bathrobe has two jobs: absorbing moisture from your skin and keeping you warm. In winter you want both. In summer you only want the first. A heavy terry robe with a dense pile stores warmth and moisture alike. After a shower at 28 degrees in the shade you quickly start sweating again, and the robe itself stays damp for a long time.
A good summer robe should therefore:
- be light and have little volume,
- absorb moisture but release it again quickly,
- let air through and not stick to the skin,
- dry quickly, even if you wear it several times a day,
- be easy to wash, because it ends up in the machine more often in summer.
Light fabrics for a bathrobe in summer
Three types of fabric have proven themselves for warm days. All three are available in cotton or with a high cotton content and are much lighter than classic terry. You will find a detailed overview of all fabrics in the article on bathrobe fabrics – here it is only about how they perform in summer.
| Fabric | Feel on the skin | Drying | Suitability for summer |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flat-woven cotton (hammam style) | smooth, cool | fast | very good |
| Muslin (multi-layer) | soft, airy, slightly crinkled | fast | very good |
| Waffle piqué | textured, airy | medium to fast | good |
| Dense terry | fluffy, warm | slow | rather not |
| Fleece, polyester | cosy, not very breathable | absorbs little water | no |
Flat-woven cotton
You know flat-woven cotton from the hammam towel: no loops, a smooth surface, little weight. It feels cool on the skin, and because hardly any water stays in the weave, it dries again quickly. Our Trimita Barok bathrobe is made exactly like this: 100 % Turkish cotton in a light quality instead of terry, about 500 g according to the product information, quick-drying, with a tie belt and pockets. You can read more about the tradition behind it in the article Hammam bathrobe.
Muslin
Muslin is a loosely woven cotton fabric. Several layers on top of each other create a material that stays airy and still is not see-through. The light crinkle texture is part of it, so there is nothing to iron. The Trimita women's bathrobe with hood is made of three-layer muslin and 100 % Turkish, OEKO-TEX certified cotton. The hood is no drawback in summer: in the morning on the terrace or in the evening after swimming in the lake, it keeps wet hair warm when it cools down for a moment.
Waffle piqué
The typical honeycomb structure means the fabric only touches the skin at certain points. Air circulates in between. That is why waffle robes are often found in spa hotels. It is a good summer choice, but usually takes a little longer to dry than hammam cotton or muslin.
Summer moments: when a bathrobe is worth it
In the morning on the terrace or balcony
This is perhaps the nicest summer moment for a bathrobe: sitting outside early, the first coffee, the air still cool. A light robe is just right here, because it keeps off the morning chill without making you sweat later when the sun comes over the wall of the house. A hooded model is worthwhile if you go outside straight after a shower.
After a cold shower in the evening
On hot days many people take another cold shower in the evening. Afterwards you don't want to slip straight into clothes, but you don't want to sit around wet either. A light robe absorbs the remaining moisture and lets your skin breathe.
By the pool and in the holiday home
Between the lounger and the house, at breakfast on the holiday home terrace or when visitors arrive: a robe is quicker to slip on than a shirt and shorts. Light models are also easy to pack. For the trip to the beach itself, take a look at our article Bathrobe at the beach.
Sauna in summer
Many people use the sauna in summer too, especially in the evening when it gets more pleasant outside. In the relaxation area or the sauna garden, a light robe is then perfectly sufficient. What else to bear in mind is covered in Sauna in summer.
Colour, cut and length for warm days
- Colour: Light colours and patterns heat up less in the sun than black or navy. Patterns have the added advantage that small sunscreen stains are less noticeable.
- Cut: Without a thick collar your neck stays free, which is more pleasant in summer. How kimono, shawl collar and hood differ is shown in our comparison Kimono or classic bathrobe.
- Length: Knee-length is practical in summer. Floor-length robes look lovely, but pick up dirt and moisture more quickly on the terrace and lawn.
Caring for your summer bathrobe
In summer you wear the robe more often on damp skin, with sunscreen or after swimming. That is why it ends up in the machine more often. A few points help it stay nice for a long time:
- Follow the care label: for the Trimita Barok that means max. 30 °C, do not bleach, do not tumble dry. The Trimita muslin robes are washed on a gentle cycle at 30 °C with a mild colour detergent.
- Briefly rinse out chlorine and salt water with clear water after swimming, before the robe dries.
- Dry outside in the shade or partial shade. Light fabrics don't take long anyway, and the blazing midday sun makes colours fade over time.
- Don't leave it lying around damp and crumpled, or it will soon smell musty.
You will find detailed tips on temperature and detergent in the article Washing a bathrobe.
Bathrobe, bath poncho or hammam towel?
On some summer days something else will do. For changing at the lake, a bath poncho is more practical because you can change underneath it. For a short moment on the balcony, a large hammam towel over your shoulders is enough. The bathrobe plays to its strengths when you sit for longer, need pockets or move around in between. You will find our light hammam towels in the hammam towels collection.
Related reading: Sauna in summer: how to enjoy the sauna in warm weather · Muslin bathrobe: what three-layer muslin can do – and where its limits lie · Hammam bathrobe: the light bathrobe from Turkish tradition
Conclusion
A bathrobe in summer works if it is light: flat-woven cotton, muslin or waffle piqué instead of dense terry or fleece. Then it is a pleasant companion in the morning on the terrace, after a cold shower, by the pool and in the summer sauna, and it dries again quickly. Light colours or patterns, a cut without a thick collar and knee-length models make it even better suited to summer. You will find all models in the bathrobes collection.
Frequently asked questions
Which bathrobe is not too warm in summer?
A light robe made of flat-woven cotton, muslin or waffle piqué. These fabrics absorb moisture, let air through and dry quickly.
Can you wear a terry bathrobe in summer?
Briefly after a shower, yes, but for longer wear it is usually too warm on hot days. Dense terry also dries more slowly and stays damp longer in humid air.
Does a bathrobe with a hood make sense in summer?
Yes, if the fabric is light. Outside in the morning or in the evening after swimming, the hood keeps wet hair warm without making the whole robe too warm.
How often should you wash your bathrobe in summer?
More often than in winter, because you wear it with sunscreen, after swimming or in the heat. A light robe is quickly washed and dry.
Which colour is best for a summer bathrobe?
Light colours and patterns heat up less in the sun than dark ones. Patterns are also practical because small stains are less noticeable.
Personally written by Martin – founder of BeachAndSteam and sauna operator at Lake Kulkwitz for more than 18 years.