Doing Business in Your Robe

Be proud of your cotton robe and slippers! If you telecommute or run a home-based business, the second Monday in February is "Doing Business in Your Bathrobe Day". First declared in 2003, people around the world don't bother with blazers or blouses. Some have even begun to wear their cotton bathrobes to the office!

The Low Down on Cotton

Cotton can be used in various fabrics to make bathrobes. Popular materials are terrycloth, pique, waffle, and even velour. These robes are more economical, but not as soft as fabrics like microfiber and cashmere. Cotton is also prone to shrinkage. The best quality cottons come from Turkey and Egypt.

Garden in Your Bathrobe

If you have an old cotton robe, you can use it to work in the garden. Robes protect what you're wearing underneath, like a pair of overalls. The long, thick fabric protects your pants from getting filthy and adds padding to your knees. A light egyptian cotton bathrobe can also keep the sun off of you if you spend hours pulling weeds and pinching buds.

Don't Burn Your Robe and You!

Bathrobes should not be worn when you cook. Electric burners and gas flames reach 800 to 1000 degrees Fahrenheit. Most fabrics ignite around 400 degrees. Long, draping sleeves from your cotton bath robe or protruding tie straps can easily light afire. Don't jeopardize your safety; wear tighter clothes when cooking - even though your cotton robe is comfy, it may not be right for meal prep.

Avoid Things That Move

Our mechanized world can be a hazardous place if we wear loose clothing, like your cotton bathrobe around things that move. Engines, wheels, mowers, chains, fans, blenders, beaters and other modern mechanisms have no mercy for fabric or flesh. Never wear draping fabric, like scarves, cotton robes, wraps, and towels when near such things.

Not all Cotton is Created Equal

As terrycloth is generally made with cotton, sometimes with a slight blend, the source of the cotton has a large impact on the quality of the fabric. Cotton was worn by Egyptian royalty almost 5,000 years ago, so they've figured out what makes a quality fiber. Turkey is also famous for it cotton production. Terrycloth robes boasting Egyptian or Turkish cotton usually are of excellent quality.

Tops for Absorbency

The thickest and most absorbent towels are made from twisted loop, ring spun, long cotton threads. This material offers a deep, plush feel and acts like a sponge. If you don your bathrobe after a shower or swim, a deep cotton fabric will hold the most water.

Dry off that Filly

Cotton robes aren't just for small animals, dogs and humans. Horse-sized cotton robes can be thrown over freshly bathed steeds or used to wick off sweat after a heavy workout. Various options are available, including trim colors to match your stable and embroidery.

Dolls Like Comfort, Too

Do you have dolls or know someone who does? Consider crafting a custom cotton bathrobe for that cupie. Satin and cotton robes are easy to stitch. Thin material, like satin, gives a ritzy flare. Fleece looks and feels quite squishy on dolly and the little doll lover will love your thoughtfulness.

Work at Home in What's Comfortable

Nine to Fivers and the commuting masses generally have to play by the rules of business attire. But many now work entirely or occasionally from home. There is a school of thought which prescribes that you are more confident when you are wearing something in which your are comfortable. If this means participating in a teleconference in a coat and tie even though you sit on your sofa, so be it. But many people are perfectly comfortable in a cotton bathrobe and slippers. Should this be the case, then your confidence will be boosted by wrapping that cotton robe around your PJs and your hand around your coffee mug.

Beach Bathrobes

An Egyptian cotton or silk robe can serve different functions at the beach or pool. These fabrics can be decorative, making some robes into a stylish wrap. Long wraps keep the sun off, or can double as blankets to lie on.