Where to Slip Into Something More Affordable

“Excuse me while I slip into something more comfortable.�

Long the siren song of movie idols and romance novel heroines, a robe has come to suggest everything from romance and allure to the downright comfort of Grandma’s quilted flannel version. Perhaps that’s part of its charm. Depending on the robe, the accompanying mood can vary widely.

Fortunately there are a number of places to find attractive, inexpensive robes as well as specialty garments. Here’s a selection:

BETWEEN THE SHEETS

At Between the Sheets there’s a wide selection of upscale and “European� style robes.

“There is a lot of thought and design in them,� said owner Paul Marx. “Some of the most popular robes feature shawl collars and hoods. Of course, kimonos are always in style.� Several of the robes feature different textures in their designs or through a Jacquard weave.

“They aren’t just a piece of terry cloth,� Marx said. “In Europe, people tend to spend more time in spas, and they use their robes to move from one place to another. They give as much thought to the robe as they do to their work or casual clothes.�

Men’s, women’s and children’s robes are available throughout the year. Prices range from about $200 to $250 for men and women’s robes and under $100 for the children’s versions, which are available in blue-and-red and green-and-red sailor-suit styles.

Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 640-2929.

EAGLESON’S BIG AND TALL

Tall or large men haven’t been forgotten. At Eagleson’s Big and Tall, men’s robes are available in sizes XL to XXXL and talls to

XXXXT sizes. Among the robes available recently were a silky-finish, 100% polyester Bill Blass robe in a dark blue paisley print ($55), a Pierre Cardin robe of 100% cotton in an Oriental print ($55) and an Oscar de la Renta robe of 100% cotton in stripes of blue, green and burgundy ($78).

“Eagleson’s offers a good selection of robes year-round,� according to salesman Nabil Eskander. “We tend to do very well around Father’s Day and the holidays. People also like to give robes as birthday presents. Since it’s often difficult to find the right sizes for large and tall men, we try to make sure that we have a good selection of robes available year-round.�

1345 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 871-1192; 24261 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills, (714) 859-0793; 1892 N. Tustin St., Orange, (714) 998-5900; 3814 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 556-2570 and Westminster Mall, (714) 898-0779 .

KIDS MART

These stores offer a selection of robes for the little tykes. At the Santa Ana store, girls’ offerings includes Jackie’s terry-cloth style polyester robes in white with pink, purple or aqua piping ($12). There is also a variety of long T-shirts that can perform double-duty as pajamas or a cover-up. Featuring such children’s favorites as Disney’s Beauty and the Beast ($10), cast members from “Beverly Hills 90210� ($10), the Little Mermaid ($12) and troll dolls ($8), these cover-ups are made of 100% polyester.

For boys, Silvil’s 100% polyester robes in white with red, green or blue trim are available ($14). This wrap-style robe looks like a junior version of an adult’s terry model.

929 S. Brookhurst St., Anaheim, (714) 533-7611; Buena Park Mall, (714) 952-0475; 8331 La Palma Ave., Buena Park, (714) 521-7959; 2300 Harbor Blvd., Costa Mesa, (714) 642-4626; 6876 Katella Ave., Cypress, (714) 892-9894; 23819 El Toro Road, El Toro, (714) 855-8244; 18309 Brookhurst St., Fountain Valley, (714) 964-2045; 1312 S. Harbor Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 526-1908; 3208 E. Yorba Linda Blvd., Fullerton, (714) 996-9072; 12093-A S. Brookhurst St., Garden Grove, (714) 534-1379; 3800 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, (714) 551-3590; 27281 S. La Paz Road, Laguna Niguel, (714) 831-8837; Mall of Orange, (714) 637-3940; 1421 W. Chapman Ave., Orange, (714) 978-7119; The City, Orange, (714) 634-4164; 31878 Del Obispo, San Juan Capistrano, (714) 240-0942; 3378 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 545-8204; 2895 El Camino Real, Tustin, (714) 731-6118; 1096 Irvine Blvd., Tustin. (714) 730-9419 .

LANZ OF CALIFORNIA

The Lanz of California store at MainPlace/Santa Ana features wrap robes ranging from lightweight cottons ($40) to flannel and quilted robes (up to $70). The selection at Lanz also includes a blue-and-white floral wrap ($42) and a pink satin brocade robe ($70).

Some of the bestsellers are the matching robes for each member of the family, and plaid and holiday-themed flannel robes, according to assistant manager J.J. Devlin. “A lot of families like to wear them for Christmas card photos,� she said. Lanz makes a different holiday-themed robe each year.

Children’s robes ($30-$35) are sold only in fall and winter.

Lanz also offers a robe with a long zipper down the front that is ideal for nursing mothers or those who have difficulty maneuvering buttons.

MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 543-9707 and Fashion Island Newport Beach, (714) 644-4411.

LILY OF FRANCE / DESIGNER LABELS FOR LESS

Designer Labels for Less, an outlet that traditionally offers at least 50% off department store prices, stocks Christian Dior and Lily of France lingerie and robes. Because the stores buy directly from the manufacturer, they can sell these items at a substantial discount.

1801 E. Dyer Road, Santa Ana, (714) 261-6678.

NORDSTROM RACK

Among the offerings available at this outlet store on a recent visit were a short, silky-like Intimate Fantasies wrap ($15-$30) in its lingerie section.

3900 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana, (714) 751-5901.

ROSE OF SHARON

Rose of Sharon Shops specialize in fashions for women sizes 14 to 26. A good selection of robes is available, including bright Renata B. cotton robes in hot pink, green and purple ($62), a blue silk Intimate Attitudes robe with seed pearls and lace ($54) and Gilligan O’Malley robes in bright red and iced peach satin, black chiffon and seersucker fabrics ($48).

5701 E. Santa Ana Canyon Road, Anaheim Hills , (714) 921-1397; 24271 Avenida de la Carlota, Laguna Hills , (714) 586-3985; 1835 Newport Blvd., Costa Mesa , (714) 722-9809.

ROSS DRESS FOR LESS

Among the styles at the Santa Ana-based store on a recent visit were traditional terry robes of 100% cotton by T.J. Lawford for women in pastels and white ($30, from $60) and for men in white ($24, from $48).

For women, there was also a selection of short cotton robes by Kathryn featuring polka dots in a simple wrap style ($10) and an Evelyn Pearson snap-front robe trimmed with lace ($20).

A short Vanity Fair “sweet pea� print sells for $14, down from $30, and a variety of caftans by Apostrophe in a 50/50 mix of polyester and cotton are available for $20, down from $45. They are available in a variety of colors and floral prints.

For men, there is a selection of black, blue and green, 100% silk Oleg Cassini robes ($26, down from $60).

233 Orangefair Mall, Fullerton , (714) 680-4850; 3900 S. Bristol St., Santa Ana , (714) 546-2600; 1800 N. Grand Ave., Santa Ana , (714) 542-1710; 2851 Camino Real, Tustin , (714) 731-9360; 24332 Rockfield Blvd., Lake Forest , (714) 855-0064; 27991 Greenfield Drive, Laguna Niguel , (714) 831-2677.

VICTORIA’S SECRET

At Victoria’s Secret, thick terry robes with the company’s insignia on the pocket ($50) come in white, vivid purples or pink. Seen on a recent visit were a robe of 100% cotton that felt like a baby’s blanket ($40) and a sheer, Oriental-style Claridge robe with a Jacquard print ($48). Among the pricier offerings were a full-length white silk robe, complete with seed pearls and lace ($126) and full-length silk robes ($400-$500).

Popular sellers for anniversaries, bridal showers and Valentine’s Day include 100% silk, short kimonos ($70-$120).

South Coast Plaza, Costa Mesa, (714) 545-6750 and MainPlace/Santa Ana, (714) 543-6091.