A SERIES of social media accounts have been set up to share photos of the infamous dryrobe being worn in a range of unusual places.

The Instagram pages feature snaps of people wearing the controversial garment while visiting cafes and shopping for wine.

Athletes and outdoor sports enthusiasts have been known to don the versatile item to keep warm while exercising - but it's a different story in Brighton and Hove.

Although the piece has proven popular with seafront swimmers, dryrobe fans have also been spotted wearing their favourite outfit while going about everyday life.

A number of online accounts have been started to document this fashion phenomenon, and they have receives scores of submissions from bemused members of the public.

Christopher Sloman, who runs the page @dry_robe_count, said: "I just kept seeing these dryrobe things everywhere in Brighton and Hove, the name kind of interested me and made me laugh.

"The first one I saw was a lady in Fourth Avenue in Hove, she had a trendy coffee in one hand and an iPhone in the other, she looked like a camo Dalek as the dryrobe was huge on her.

"That was it really."

In the last year or so, dryrobes have been at the centre of a "culture war" controversy among swimmers, especially in the choppy waters off the coast of Ireland.

Those who wear the item - the supposed "dryrobe types" - have been mocked for being more interested in posing for online snaps than enjoying the great outdoors.

However, others have jumped to the dryrobe's defence, describing these critics as snobs and praising the piece as the perfect way to stay warm after a good dip.

The debate now seems to have made its way to the South Coast, judging by the popularity of social media accounts dedicated to poking fun at the dryrobe.

One popular account is @doyouownacoat, where images are illustrated with snappy captions saying things like "friends who robe together, stay together" and "well, one of us is going to have to change".

The Argus contacted the people who run @doyouownacoat, who said they wanted to remain anonymous, referring to themselves as Brighton's equivalent of Banksy.

They told the Argus: "We started the account because it seemed every other person was sporting a dryrobe regardless of the intention to swim or not.

"The droves of individuals and the cost implication puzzled us. We wish we’d brought stock in dryrobe.... who needs Bitcoin.

"We started the account because of the sheer amount of content available and for a bit of fun during a sad lockdown."

Dryrobes are famous for being both comfortable and warm (as well as undeniably stylish) so perhaps the recent cold snap has been a factor in their popularity.

On average, a dryrobe costs between £135 and £165 - although there is a cheaper one available for £45 - so perhaps people are just trying to get their money's worth.