With more of us working remotely or spending our downtime at home, it’s important to wear clothes that feel comfortable but still look presentable. Finding the right outfit can be a challenge as you get through work, house chores, and bingeing another series. You don’t want to show up to a video meeting in a nightgown but wearing a blazer and slacks at home feels forced and too stuffy.
Thankfully, loungewear can look dressy enough for video calls without sacrificing comfort or making you feel overdressed at home. Unlike pyjamas, they also look suitable for stepping out on short errands or even having visitors over, but loungewear won’t make you feel encumbered if you do plop onto the sofa for a short nap. It can also create part of your home routine!
If loungewear is as relaxing as sleepwear, what is the difference between the two attires? While loungewear is also comfortable to wear, they’re usually not garments designed to be worn to bed. Instead, these clothes are made to feel cozy and allow you to move freely as you go about your day at home. They’re perfect for sitting on your couch as you snack on potato chips and binge on your favorite series. They also look good even if you head out to buy groceries or stop by the bank. Loungewear is often made of thicker fabrics compared to sleepwear so you wear them in and out of the house with ease.
While some clothing brands have designs that specify this category, loungewear can refer to many different garments that are easy to wear and prioritize the comfort above style. Here are some outfit ideas that you’ll surely be happy to trade your pyjamas for.
Cozy Leggings
Leggings are a staple that you can use for all kinds of outfits. You can wear them to offices with a casual dress code, meetups with friends, working out at the gym, or even just while lounging around at home. These are easy to pair with any top, which can easily transform your look from dressy to sporty. Buy cozy leggings and wear them with a crisp button-down for a work video meeting or with your favorite sweatshirt for a lazy weekend. Leggings also come in a wide range of materials so you can choose a moisture-wicking pair to keep you cool during the summer and get a thicker variation to help you stay warm in the fall until winter. Instead of wearing actual pants at home, use leggings to stay comfortable but not need to change your clothes if you need to head out.
Summer Dresses
Don’t have time to think about pairing a top with a bottom before work starts? Throw on a summer dress that lets you move easily at home and relax after the day winds down. These come in beautiful patterns like flowers or bright color combinations that can make you feel dressed up while chilling at home. They also usually have flowy silhouettes that lightly drape the fabric around your body, so they feel comfortable to wear even on warm days. Cotton summer dresses are the most popular during spring and summer, but for a more luxe feel, you can opt for pieces made of light, fine materials like rayon and linen.
Shorts
Extra hot weather can make sweatpants or leggings uncomfortable to wear. Try loose, breezy shorts to help keep your legs cool without sacrificing the ease of staying at home. Styles like chinos or Bermuda shorts go with all kinds of tops. Shorts also save you the trouble of changing in case you need to run an errand or step out quickly from the house. At the same time, they don’t sacrifice the comfort you seek while sitting down on your work chair or couch.
Long Tunic
Days spent at home feel longer in the wintertime. Maximize your long days (and nights) at home with a fashionable long tunic. Depending on the style you choose, you might even find a design that you can wear as you work from 9 to 5. You can also look extra stylish and can have fun with tunics that come in bright colors, embroidered accents, and bold prints. Tunics that come in a long, relaxed t-shirt style can sometimes also be worn as a summer dress that you can wear on its own or with leggings underneath.
Long Cardigan
Cardigans are another loungewear staple for the colder seasons. Layer with a wool blend or cashmere cardigan to keep your body warm and relaxed as the temperatures drop. For the warmer seasons, linen or cotton cardigans worn over a t-shirt, tank top, or light shirt can add a chic touch to your usual loungewear outfit. You could also easily throw this over a crop or tank top right before you log into a video call meeting. Pair the cardigan and top with leggings, shorts, a skirt, or sweatpants to complete the look.
Sweatshirts and Hoodies
Want the comfort of wearing a blanket as a top? Sweatshirts and hoodies provide the same feeling of being cozy and bundled up. You can throw one on before a meeting or curl up in it on your couch with a warm cup of chocolate after work. Both garments come in either thin or thick materials so you can dress to match the weather. You can also wear a shirt underneath to keep warm when the temperature drops and you need to dress warmly at home. They’re also easy to match with shorts, sweatpants, pants, or leggings and are perfectly acceptable to wear out if you need to run errands.
A T-shirt and A Longer Skirt
Do you have a lot of skirts and tops in your closet? Pair a maxi or midi skirt with a t-shirt for an easy and comfy loungewear look. You can also play with the different colors and patterns available in your closet, letting you have a little fun dressing up at home. This ensemble offers the same comfort as a summer dress, while also maximizing what you already have in your wardrobe. In the summer, you can wear shorter skirts that hit above the knee to keep your legs cool throughout the day.
Joggers and A Loose Top
Plan on working out at home after your remote shift or before you unwind in your living room? Save yourself the effort of changing and wear joggers with a loose shirt or tank top. Compared to sweatpants, joggers offer a more stylish silhouette while still allowing you to move freely as you exercise. They’re also often made of fleece, cotton, and polyester—all comfortable materials that ease you into spending the rest of the day doing your favorite leisure activities.
Lounging at home shouldn’t mean wearing your pyjamas all day. You can still be stylish without making too much of an effort or trading comfort for aesthetics. Looking fashionable at home also lets you play with what’s in your closet, so you don’t have to “reserve” your nice clothes just for going out. Loungewear can be anything that feels comfortable and also looks presentable, so you can even wear it while doing errands. Enjoy coming up with your own comfy-but-dressy combinations!
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