women's fashion

I Wore This $40 Target Robe to Work — Then Half the Office Ordered One Too

Photo: Alison Freer

There is no place I’d rather be than lying in bed under a blanket, no matter what the weather. So when I saw this super-stylish Norma Kamali sleeping bag coat–inspired bathrobe at my local Target, my first thought was not how cozy it would be around the house but if I could get away with wearing it to work. After twirling through the store with it on (and getting multiple thumbs up from my Instagram pals, a.k.a. the ultimate enablers), I decided the answer was a definitive yes.

The next day, I styled it with some dark-rinse Levi’s Ribcage jeans and a vintage tee. It felt like I was wearing my beloved bed to work: I was soft, warm, and comfortable all day long. It looks just as good worn open as a duster as it does belted for warmth, and most importantly, it has two generous patch pockets for stashing your phone, lip balm, snacks, and keys for easy access. It would make an incredible airplane garment — there’s no need to pack a scarf or use a dirty, scratchy airplane blanket when you’re wearing what amounts to a personal duvet.

I was worried everyone would think I’d lost the plot by wearing bedclothes on the job, but nobody realized it was really a comfy robe until I let them in on my secret. By lunchtime, half the office had tried mine on and was headed to Target.com to score this magical garment for themselves. Is it a bathrobe? Is it a trench coat? That’s for you to decide, not Target!

I opted for the emerald-green version, but there is also a neutral heather gray if jewel tones aren’t your thing. One of my co-workers pointed out that this robe was actually a less expensive cousin of the scrumptious $295 Homecoat but with a far more fashionable notched collar that makes it seem like real outerwear instead of the snuggly robe it really is.

I haven’t washed mine yet but suggest either sending it to the dry cleaner or using your machine’s gentle cycle and hanging it to dry in order to avoid pilling and general bedraggled-ness.

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I Wore This $40 Robe to Work — And Got Multiple Compliments