In praise of loungewear
More time at home has led to a more relaxed style of dressing – say hello to loungewear.
Floaty tees, lightly textured knits, drawstring pants with wide legs. Sweatpants, hoodies, tank tops and camis … These are the clothes we’ve been loving (and largely living in) for the last 18 months while working from home. But far from forsaking fashion and turning into slobs, we’ve actually been on trend.
So, what is loungewear?
Loungewear is essentially a category of clothing designed for relaxation. It’s not new of course – stylists have been watching it rise since 2018 – but the look is popular right now because it meets our current needs for comfort, ease and versatility.
How is it different from sleepwear?
While some items do resemble pajamas and are definitely soft enough to sleep in, loungewear and sleepwear are not the same thing. Sleepwear typically has style hallmarks like notched collars, drawstring bottoms and blousy nightshirts. It often features fun prints and comes in fabrics such as flannel and fleece (silk and satin too). Loungewear tends to be more sophisticated and form fitting. Colours are solid and subdued, and fabrics range from modal and cotton blends to wool and fleece. PJs are typically sold in sets, whereas a loungewear wardrobe consists of coordinating separates that can be worn out – ideally with flats or sporty sneakers.
Available at most of the big brand retailers, as well on fashion websites such as Supberbalist which feature local labels you’ll love. Happy shopping!
