The words peignoir, dressing gown and kimono robe are often used as if they mean the same thing. They do not, and the difference affects what you wear, how warm you are and which one is worth buying. Here is how to tell them apart, and how to choose.
Peignoir: the decorative bedroom robe
Peignoir is a French word for a light robe worn while brushing your hair. Today it usually means a decorative, short robe in satin or lace, tied at the waist and made for the bedroom rather than the rest of the house. Because it is short and light, it is not the robe for a cold landing.
Peignoirs are often sold with matching underwear, so you can buy the set in one go. Beauty Night specialises in them, and our peignoir sets are the place to start. For the main styles and how to wear one, read What Is a Peignoir?
Dressing gown: longer and warmer
A dressing gown is longer and warmer than a peignoir, and it is made for the house: the walk to the kitchen, a cold landing, a morning when the heating has not yet come on. Our dressing gown fabrics guide compares satin, waffle and fleece.
Several of ours are satin with embroidered detail, such as the Irall Shelby in purple and the Daphne in cream. Browse them all in the dressing gowns collection.
Kimono robe: short, straight and wide in the sleeve
A kimono robe has a straight cut, wide sleeves and a short length, and it is often made in satin. It is the getting-ready robe of bridal mornings, and the wide sleeves make it easy to put on and take off. Because it is short, it is a robe for getting ready rather than for keeping warm around the house.
If you are shopping for a wedding morning, start with the bridal collection.
The three at a glance
- Peignoir: short, decorative, satin or lace, tied at the waist, often sold with matching underwear.
- Dressing gown: longer and warmer, made for the house.
- Kimono robe: straight cut, wide sleeves, short and often satin, the robe for getting ready.
Which one do you actually want?
Choose a dressing gown if the main job is warmth around the house. Choose a peignoir if you want a short, decorative piece for the bedroom, especially one that matches what you are wearing underneath. Choose a kimono robe for a getting-ready morning, or for an occasion when you want something short and easy to wear.
If you are buying only one robe and your home is cold, the dressing gown is the one you will reach for most. If you already own a warm gown, a peignoir adds a lighter second option for milder evenings.
If you mostly wear a robe on warm evenings, or in a well-heated flat, a peignoir or a kimono robe is enough. In a draughty house, choose the dressing gown first.
Chiffon is a different idea again. It is sheer, and it is made as a layer over a nightdress, so it is there to be seen rather than to keep you warm.
When the names blur
Shops use these words loosely, and some pieces sit between categories. The Irall Juniper in burgundy is a short satin dressing gown with black lace. When the name does not settle it, judge a robe by its length, its tie and its trim.
It also helps to think about what goes underneath. A dressing gown works over a pair of pyjamas or a nightdress, while a peignoir and a chiffon layer are chosen to go with a nightdress or matching set.
Getting the size right
A robe is cut with more room than a bra or a fitted nightdress, so the choice is less delicate. A wrap-front dressing gown with a tie belt fits comfortably across two sizes, because the belt does the adjusting.
Irall's chart runs S = UK 8–10, M = UK 10–12, L = UK 12–14, XL = UK 14–16 and XXL = UK 16–18. Beauty Night lists S/M as UK 8–12, L/XL as UK 12–16 and XXL as UK 16–18. If you sit at the edge of a range, a wrap-front gown will forgive either choice. For anything that does not wrap, follow the chart more closely.
Fabric and care
Satin robes need a cool, gentle wash, no tumble drying and a cool iron on the reverse. Lace trim calls for a hand wash or a lingerie bag, and when a robe has both, follow the gentler instruction.
If it is not right
Robes can be returned: you have 14 days to change your mind. If a robe is sold with matching underwear, remember that sealed intimates cannot be returned once opened.
Browse our peignoirs and dressing gowns, or use Find My Size to choose a size.