In April, I wrote an honest review of The Radiant Wrap. These silky-feeling or cotton wraps are designed by a breast cancer survivor with radiation patients in mind. I loved the look and feel of the wrap! But I found that I had a hard time utilizing it for radiation treatment. (Check out the article, though, because I still love it for other reasons!)

In response to my review, The Radiant Wrap company generously sent me a Radiant Robe, which was perfect with my upcoming revision surgery!

Here are a few of my thoughts on The Radiant Robe…

Side note: While their giving of the robe was very generous and unexpected, this post is NOT sponsored by The Radiant Wrap company. I will only ever write honest reviews and recommend products I’ve actually used and enjoy. Recommending products I don’t like or believe in hurts both myself and my readers. Lord knows cancer patients have enough to deal with as is than to be filtering through dishonest product reviews!

If you read this article and find that a Radiant Wrap or Radiant Robe is right for you, you can use the discount code BETHD5 at checkout to save 5%! I don’t get a kickback from this. Radiant Wrap has kindly given me this code just for my readers’ benefit. 😉

It’s Very Lightweight!

When you’ve had surgery or radiation burns, the last thing you want is anything pressing against your chest. The robe is made of cotton, and the material is thin, so it gently covers the skin without irritation.

I will say that the robe isn’t as soft as I had expected, though I’m sure that improves with washing and time. However! That also improves the fabric’s ability to “tent,” so it doesn’t drape all across the skin. That draping and constant contact and friction can be harsh on delicate, radiated skin. It also allows room for air between the skin and garment, helping your skin heal.

Lack of Pockets is Both a Pro and a Con

I will say that one bummer was the lack of pockets in the robe. Especially after surgery, pockets can be useful for chapstick, surgical drains, and small bits and bobs.

That said, I’ve also realized that this is a benefit as that means it’s not adding to the weight or bulk of the robe.

Drains can easily be pinned to the inside, and no pockets outside means I don’t risk putting in something so heavy that it then presses against my new surgical site.

This is to show how it fits in front. I was on the porch, so I wore it relaxed, but you can easily see my port scar for port access during chemo treatment. This is also about as open as it gets without pulling it open further, so it stays pretty modest with a tank underneath.

It Stays Put

I have two other robes I wear – standard, everyday robes. And while I like them, they easily open in the front, which the Radiant Robe does not. I attribute this in part to its being made of cotton, unlike my other robes.

But holy crap is this helpful regarding modesty! I wasn’t having to constantly adjust it and pull it together in front. A quick shift whenever I made a major movement, and off I went.

Also, it’s very long, coming to about mid-thigh. This meant I could live in leggings after surgery, and the robe would cover my bum so I could wear it in public without fear of the person behind me knowing every bump and dimple in my rear. This was huge for me so I didn’t have to plan a change of attire to run to the store!

While another robe may serve a similar purpose, I think I’d have a hard time finding one that doesn’t open in the front as I move. The Radiant Robe, on the other hand, is cute, modest, and stays put, so I’m comfortable wearing it in public.

Good for Radiation and Surgery

Because I got the robe after radiation was complete, I couldn’t test it in the field. However, knowing what I know of my radiation treatment, I think this would have been a good garment!

My hospital has volunteers who make garments for radiation patients that are essentially short and simple robes. Since I was having only one breast radiated, I could slip one arm out of the garment for treatment and still cover my healthy breast, both for modesty and to keep it warm. The Robe can act the same way, exposing one breast, keeping the other covered, and allowing you to wear one garment into the hospital and out.

Also, I wore this robe almost daily after surgery! Because it opened in the front, it worked perfectly with my limited range of motion when I couldn’t lift my arms for a couple weeks. I could slip on a men’s tank top, then the robe for an extra layer for going out or if my shoulders were cold. (Side note: men’s tank tops are easy since they’re stretchy and roomier than women’s tank tops, so I could get into them without lifting my arms.)

When I had my reconstruction, it was wintertime, so I wore zip-up hoodies over these tanks. But my revision was in July – far too warm for a hoodie! So the thin, cotton robe was perfect!

Also Works Well for Chemo

I’m all about multi-use items, especially during cancer treatment. The Robe was designed for radiation treatment, it’s also good for surgery as I just mentioned, and it can be used for chemo. It will literally get you through all your cancer treatments and appointments!

If you have a chest port for chemo, you’ll have to wear something low-cut enough that the nurses can easily access the port without clothing being a barrier. Like with surgery, I had chemo during the winter, so I often wore zip-up hoodies or something similar. But that obviously won’t work for summer.

Instead, you could wear a tank top or lower-cut shirt so the port can be seen, then have the Robe on top. This is also helpful so you have an extra layer in the chilly infusion center, but can also take it off when the hot flashes kick in!

Hanging out in the doctor’s office wearing my Radiant Robe… And mask, cuz… COVID.

Convenient for Doctor Appointments

Who else hates those oversized hospital garments for checkups? They always slip off your shoulders or just make you feel frumpy. I know that’s the least concern when you’re in the doctor’s office, but there’s still something to feeling feminine and not having to hold the gown in place.

Instead, I’d wear my Radiant Robe, a vibrant and flowery pink and yellow that not only made me happy, but also made me feel cute! I could wear my men’s tank top and bra, slip those off once I was in the exam room and sit in my robe, then put them back on to leave.

Pair the robe and tank with black tights/leggings and it actually looked like a cute outfit! Whodathunk, right?!

Final Thoughts

I absolutely love this Radiant Robe! When I first heard of it, I wasn’t sure how much use I’d get from it and thus opted for the Radiant Wrap. I do love the Wrap, and I still wear it. And I learned the Robe is far more versatile than I had given it credit for initially.

Literally the only thing I have mixed feelings about is the lack of pockets. Overall, though, I’m glad they don’t have pockets so I’m not tempted to add more weight and pressure against my surgical sites (or radiated skin, if that’s where you are in treatment).

I absolutely love that this can be worn for all aspects of cancer treatment, from appointments to treatment to surgery. And when cancer treatment is over, it’s a cute, everyday robe!

Pin me!