How to Build a Costume Around a Red Robe

Why does a robe make such an easy costume?

A robe does the hard part of a costume for you: it changes your whole silhouette in one step. Put on a long red robe and add one or two props, and people read the character before you say a word. One buyer who let their 74-year-old father wear a red robe set to a party says everyone knew right away who he was dressed as, and he collected compliments all night.

There are two directions buyers take with a red robe. One is a short, silky smoking-jacket style with a belt, usually paired with a white captain's hat and sunglasses for a retro party-host look. The other is a full-length velvet robe with a white trim that reads as royalty with a crown and scepter. Both are easy to put together, both are comfortable, and both can be worn again, which matters if you do not want to keep a costume you will wear once.

How should a costume robe fit?

Sizing is the most common complaint, and it goes in two directions.

Why do the silky jackets run short?

Buyers of the short, silky style say to size up. One says a medium was barely longer than a shirt, and another reports that a small came up short at the sleeves while a medium fit well on a 5'7" frame. Another found a men's medium so short that it fit their nearly 9-year-old, and planned to wear it open over an undershirt. At the other end, a muscular buyer found the arms tight at a large and returned it, while still calling the set well made for the price. If you are between sizes, or you plan to wear a shirt and layers under it, take the larger size.

How long should a full-length robe be?

A full-length velvet robe is the opposite problem, and buyers match the length to height. A 6'4" buyer says it hit close to ankle length on him, while another 6'4" buyer found it not quite long enough. A 5'7" buyer says it was almost perfect, though long enough that the hem might get dirty outside. A 12-year-old who stands about 5 feet tall wore it with the hem nearly at the floor, and a buyer around 5'5" to 5'6" called the length right. In short: the robe is long, so for shorter wearers it may touch the ground.

What do you wear under it?

Check what is in the box, because it differs a lot. One set includes black satin pants, which a buyer describes as pajama pants without pockets. Another set has only the jacket, hat, and accessories, and one buyer did not realize there were no pants until it arrived. Plan the rest of the outfit before the day: dark pants and a dark or white shirt work with either style, and a pair of pajama pants is the easiest and most comfortable option.

How do you keep a robe from falling open all night?

A robe has no buttons, which is comfortable and also the reason it shifts. One buyer says they had to adjust the jacket several times during the night and wished for a hidden button on the inside. Another wished for the same thing and also wanted it longer. Both liked the quality, and both said the robe was nicer than they expected.

If you want it to stay put, a few small fixes help: tie the belt snugly, put a hidden snap or a safety pin inside the front edge, and wear a fitted shirt underneath so the fabric has something to grip. Try the full outfit at home before the party so you know what moves when you walk and sit.

Which props are worth buying, and which are just props?

Treat the robe as the main costume and the accessories as props. Buyers consistently like the robes and are less impressed by the extras:

• Hats and crowns. One buyer says the captain's hat is not amazing quality but fine, and another says it needed some puffing. A crown that comes as a fabric cutout on an elastic band looks fine in a photo but does not feel like much, and buyers say it can run small on adult heads.
• Scepters and wands. Several buyers describe the plastic scepter as thin and flimsy, with one that bent when assembled and another that came apart after a few days. They work for a photo and a few hours, so choose a sturdier prop if the costume depends on it.
• Chains, pins, and pipes. One buyer calls the chain and the pipe prop high quality, and another had a lapel pin that arrived broken. A prop that matters should be checked as soon as the box is opened.

A kit with a crown and scepter is a quick way to get a complete look. One buyer notes that the robe in such a kit is the best part and that a child can wear it too, since kids tend to love long capes. Another bought a robe on its own and added a crown and fake beard separately, and said the husband felt like a real king.

Can you wear a costume robe again after the party?

Often, yes, and that is part of the appeal. The silky and satin styles are soft enough that buyers wear them as loungewear: one buyer wears the pants around the house, and one listing says the jacket can double as pajamas. A buyer who bought one for a Halloween party says it was an easy costume to stash away for another year, and one who has been dressing as a king for six straight years says it holds up.

Check the care label before you toss it in the wash. One listing says to hand wash in cold water, avoid bleach, and dry flat. A full-length velvet robe is listed as spot clean or gently hand wash, then air dry, and to store flat or hang it. One buyer's velvet robe shed fibers that turned a white shirt pink, so wear a dark shirt under it the first time.

What should you check when the robe arrives?

Open everything as soon as it arrives, while it is still easy to return or replace. Buyers reported a few problems worth looking for:

• Missing pieces. One buyer expected a crown and scepter that were not included, and another did not get pants. Compare the box with the listing.
• Construction. One buyer found two large holes in a velvet robe right out of the package, and several noticed that the trim was not sewn down and folded over.
• Color. One buyer said the robe looked more burgundy than red, so compare it with the color you pictured.
• Fit. Try it on over the clothes you plan to wear, and if you are between sizes, take the larger one.

With the right size and one or two good props, a red robe is among the most comfortable costumes you can wear, and one of the few you might wear again just to relax.