It’s No Crime to Indulge in a Little Decadence With a Selection From the Robes’ Gallery

No piece of clothing encourages you to relax more than a robe. Whether it’s a big toasty terry cloth robe or a silky short dressing gown, as soon as you slip it on, you can’t help but loosen up.

When choosing a robe, it’s not surprising that people want something that is comfortable and easy to wear.

“We generally wear robes for ourselves and no one else, so the first consideration is that a robe feels really good,” says Elizabeth Benton, owner of I.C. London in Laguna Beach. “The second most important thing is that it can be thrown on quickly.”

Ease of maintenance and durability are also important, says Joe Tiseo, co-owner of Boudoir in Newport Beach. “It’s important that the robe is washable and well-made,” he says.

This sampling of stores should offer a robe that will meet your qualifications.

BOUDOIR

At Boudoir there are many designer robes in a variety of fabrics, including a men’s Fernando Sanchez robe made of “cuddleskin” (cotton-backed polyester). This long-sleeved, mid-calf length robe comes in black, blueberry and white. It has two patch pockets and a belt. Choose from medium, large and extra large sizes ($225).

Another long-sleeved Fernando Sanchez robe is made of 100% Italian silk. It is purple with black and red trim on the sleeves and falls mid-calf. There are two patch pockets and a belt. Medium, large and extra large sizes are available ($400).

Boudoir also has Fernando Sanchez robes for women, including a fuchsia gown of cuddleskin. This belted, tailored robe is ankle-length and long sleeved. It comes in petite, small, medium and large ($190) sizes.

For a Victorian look, the store has a Jonquil robe in ivory, pink or black. This long-sleeved, 100% polyester robe is heavily decorated with beads, lace and pearls. It is full-length, with buttons running down the front, which creates a fitted look. Petite, small and medium sizes ($280).

Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 760-6190.

THE BROADWAY

In the intimate apparel section at the Broadway, there are robes in different fabrics and styles. For women there is a Cypress, loose-fitting baby blue robe in 100% cotton. This ankle-length gown has long sleeves with cuffs, a belt and two pockets. Pick from small, medium and large ($68) sizes.

The store also has an Albert Nipon loose-fitting, long-sleeved, ankle-length robe. It is pink with white dots and moon designs. There are two side pockets and a belt. The 100% cotton robe comes in small, medium and large ($74).

For men the Broadway has a Bill Blass terry cloth and cotton robe in gray with purple stripes. This long-sleeved dressing gown is mid-calf in length. It has a belt and two pockets. One size fits all ($50).

If it’s 100% silk you want, the store also has an Addiction robe in black with a red and gold geometric design. This is knee-length and long-sleeved with two pockets and a belt. One size fits all ($70).

Brea Mall, (714) 990-1400; 7777 Edinger Ave., Huntington Beach Mall, (714) 892-3331; Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 586-1901; Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 644-1212; Mall of Orange, (714) 998-1311, and South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, (714) 540-5211.

FATAL ATTRACTION LINGERIE

This store carries a wide selection of silk and flannel robes, including a Mary Green Silkwear robe for men, which store owner Jan Heredia says is made of “very soft” 100% silk. The belted black robe has a long shawl collar and falls mid-calf. There are two patch pockets. One size fits all ($110).

The store also has a Lasoie black 100% Sharmo silk kimono-style robe. This loose-fitting gown falls above the knees. It has a sash and large open sleeves. One size fits all ($85).

For women there is a Lasoie 100% silk black or white robe. The loose-fitting belted gown is mid-calf in length. It has a shawl collar and two deep patch pockets. One size fits all ($110).

Another Lasoie 100% silk robe is a short kimono-style wrap that falls above the knee. It is loose-fitting with large open sleeves and comes in black or red. One size fits all ($65).

34255 Coast Highway, Suite 113, Dana Point, (714) 248-0732.

I.C. LONDON

At I.C. London there is a selection of unique robes that are “comfortable, yet stylish,” Benton says. For women there is an Under Construction 100% rayon, kimono-style robe. It is black with a bright multicolored block print. It has a matching sash and is mid-calf-length. One size fits all ($122).

Or for something “elegant, sexy and luxurious,” Benton suggests a kimono-style Andres robe. This coral-colored gown of sheer silk chiffon has a matching silk Sharmo sash. It is knee-length. One size fits all ($193).

For men, the store has a D.G. 100% rayon robe in solid black with a matching belt. It is long-sleeved, loose-fitting and mid-calf in length. One size fits all ($105). There is also a D.G. loose-fitting kimono-style robe that Benton calls “bold and contemporary.” This 100% rayon gown is black and white with a striped “zebra” trim, belt and collar. It is long-sleeved and goes to the mid-calf. One size fits all ($130).

1999 S. Coast Highway, Laguna Beach, (714) 497-4254.

I. MAGNIN

This store carries a variety of robes, including a men’s Fernando Sanchez black pin-whale corduroy robe with paisley trim on the lapel, pocket and sleeve. The paisley print has a red background with a multicolored print. The robe comes in small, medium and large sizes ($420).

There is also a belted Silk Club sailboat motif silk robe in green and yellow with a green, yellow and red print background. One size fits all ($120).

For women, the store has a Donna Karan robe in black satin in sizes medium through large. This has a shawl collar, deep cuffs and matching belt ($485).

The store also has a Cypress pink-checked terry cloth robe with a notched lapel and deep pockets. Small, medium and large sizes available ($88).

Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 759-1211.

J.C. PENNEY

J.C. Penney’s has plenty of robes, from thick winter gowns to light summer wraps.

For women who like flower prints, the store carries a Vandemere off-white robe with blue, pink, yellow and green pastel flowers. The 80% polyester, 20% cotton robe has three-quarter sleeves and is knee-length. There is satin trim down the front of the robe and on the sleeves and pockets. Small, medium and large sizes available ($30).

The store also has a Delicates 100% terry cloth robe, which comes in a floral or stripe design in pink, turquoise and navy blue. It falls to the knee and has two pockets and three-quarter sleeves. The belted robe can be found in small, medium and large ($30).

For men, there is a Stafford 100% terry cloth long-sleeved robe that falls below the knee. It comes in burgundy, white or blue and has a belt and two patch pockets. Small, medium and large sizes available ($50).

The store also has the Jockey, a long-sleeved lightweight robe that goes below the knee. The 100% cotton material has multicolored stripes of blue, red and white. There is a belt and two pockets. Choose from small, medium and large sizes ($25).

The City Mall, (714) 634-1600; 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 646-5021; 9741 Chapman Ave., Garden Grove, (714) 530-5600; Huntington Beach Mall, (714) 892-7771; Laguna Hills Mall, (714) 581-7700, and Mall of Orange, (714) 998-9700.

NORDSTROM

This department store has robes in many different styles and fabrics, including a men’s Nordstrom brand long-sleeved robe in 100% terry cloth. This white robe has a shawl lapel and falls mid-calf. It ranges in size from small and medium to large and extra large ($65).

There is also a Nordstrom brand 100% cotton terry cloth robe in white, navy and burgundy. This is kimono-style and falls to the knee. There are large open sleeves and one size fits all ($55).

For women, there is a 100% cotton terry velour Cypress robe that comes in pink, white or aqua. It is floor-length, with a notched collar and cuffed, long sleeves. This wrap-around robe comes in petite, small, medium, large, extra large and extra-extra large ($50).

The department store also makes a cotton, terry cloth-lined robe with a shawl collar in multicolored stripes. It is a long-sleeved wrap-around style that falls mid-calf ($49).

Brea Mall, (714) 529-0123; MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 972-2020, and South Coast Plaza, (714) 549-8300.