SAUNA | Dressing the Part

Stepping into a sauna is more than a change in temperature. What we wear (or don’t) inside these heated rooms speaks not just to comfort, but to culture, respect, and quiet ritual.

Stepping into a sauna is more than a change in temperature - it’s an act of tradition, shaped by generations, geography, and care. From the smoke saunas of Finland to the dry rooms of Japan and the steam houses of Korea, this simple ritual of heat and sweat has always been paired with something quieter: preparation.

Across cultures, what you wear—or don’t wear—has long been a reflection of both respect and intention. In Finnish saunas, nudity is common and expected. In Japanese onsen, a full cleanse precedes entry, and towels are carried but never dipped in the water. In modern bathhouses we take cues from these timeless traditions while allowing space for personal comfort.

What remains consistent across all these traditions is this: the sauna is not a place for show. It is a space to strip back, not just physically but mentally. Loud logos and synthetic materials disrupt the mood. What you bring in should support the experience—natural, breathable, and considered.

At Capybara, we honour both tradition and choice - encouraging comfort, modesty, and materials that breathe with the body. The goal? Warmth, ease, and presence. Because the ritual begins before you even step inside.

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CAPYBARA CONSIDERS:

MATERIALS

Natural fibres only - cotton, linen, or towelling.

Avoid synthetics, which can trap heat and disturb the skin.

SHAPE

Loose silhouettes. A robe you’ve broken in. A towel worn like armour.

Let your body move freely and your skin breathe.

ACCESSORIES

A hat to shield the crown (a Nordic trick).

A book if you’re resting before or after.

Slippers to ground the walk from hot to cold.

ETIQUETTE

Always shower first. Always bring a towel for sitting.

Let the silence be part of the experience.

Hydrate. Rest. Don’t rush.

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To dress for the sauna is to prepare for presence. Every layer, or lack of one, sets the tone for how you’ll move, feel, and soften. It’s not about fashion, but feeling. Dressing with intention invites a deeper kind of ease. Whether wrapped in linen or resting between rounds in your favourite robe, your choices shape the ritual long before the first bead of sweat appears.

Come warm, come ready, come lightly.