Sexy robe styles to wear open or tied

The robe as a curtain

A robe is the most theatrical piece in lingerie. It is the curtain before the scene, the last thing between you and the person watching. Tied, it hides what you are wearing and lets the anticipation do its work. Loosened, it frames the lingerie underneath. Dropped, it is the end of the preamble.

Satin or sheer

The Peignoir Satin Robe conceals, then reveals. The Voilette Sheer Robe reveals from the start, like a mist over the body.

What to wear under it

Satin over strong lingerie creates contrast: try the peignoir over an open cup set or a harness. Tulle over something equally soft keeps the mood gentle, which is why the Voilette pairs so well with our sheer nightgown styles. For a full evening, choose your piece from the erotic lingerie sets first, then the robe to match its color. Bordeaux satin over black lace is a combination that never fails.

Size and length

Robes are forgiving, but the right size still matters: the front panels should overlap when tied, and the sleeves should end at the wrist. Size by your bust and hips on our size guide, and take the larger size if you want a looser drape. Robes are one of the pieces we exchange: if an unworn robe still has its tags, you can swap it once for another size within 30 days of delivery.

How to tie a robe for each moment

The way you tie a robe tells the story before anything else. A firm double knot at the waist says not yet. A loose single loop that opens with one pull is an invitation. A belt left untied, the panels held closed by hand, is the most theatrical of all, because the reveal depends on a single gesture.

The sleeves matter too. Satin sleeves pushed up to the elbow look relaxed; sleeves left long and slipping over the hands look softer and more intimate. Letting the robe slide from one shoulder is the oldest gesture in the boudoir, and it still works.

Satin is the robe to choose if you want to hide the lingerie until the last moment, because it is fully opaque. Sheer tulle is the one to choose if you want the lingerie seen through the robe from the start. Bordeaux satin is the most dramatic color in the edit, ivoire the most delicate, and rose smoke tulle the softest of all.

As a gift

A robe is the safest erotic gift, because it flatters every body and the size is easy to guess. The Coffret Minuit ($229) on our erotic lingerie gift page combines a robe with night pieces in a box with a handwritten card. Satin prefers a cool hand wash and a padded hanger; tulle should never be wrung.