STYLISH, DECADENT SLEEP & LOUNGEWEAR
These days of working from home force us to look at our sleeping and slothing apparel – our personal wardrobe, literally – through new eyes, writes JING ZHANG
Since WFH (working from home) became a reality for so many around the world, we decide this would be an opportune moment to revisit fashion’s pyjama trend. Stylish sleep and loungewear is an uplifting way to up the sartorial ante while we all spend more time indoors. And when event season Oets into N]ll swinO aOain some o]tfits looS R]st as good outdoors. I’ve donned cocktail-print PJs with a clutch and stilettos for evening functions before, and plenty of men and women wear elegant robe-style jackets and velvet slippers as part of their formal party wardrobe.
To pick up the mood in what can be a rather mundune daily ritual at home, we suggest some bright, zesty coloured PJs and loungewear that will awaken a room and/or statement prints that inject a bit of beauty or humour to yo]r o]tfit 7ne oN tPe most co^eted p]r^eyors oN silSy sens]al pyRamas is *rit pioneer 7li^ia ^on 0alle wPo came up with the idea for her brand when she lived in Shanghai and would browse the silk markets there.
“I love creating products that feel new, exciting and relevant to the zeitgeist,” says the UK-based designer.
“We don’t believe in following other brands or designing what we think our customers may like – it’s much more organic than that. Instead, we try to focus on just a few key styles and aim to elevate them, to make them the best they can be.”
“Print has always been at the heart of the brand,” she explains. “All our prints are hand-drawn in our London studio and screen printed onto our silks, which gives them a really unique and distinctive character that’s become somewhat synonymous with the brand.”
“They feel so fresh and playful paired with an exquisitely cut, timeless silhouette. I love the juxtaposition created by labouring this kind of care and attention on to something that’s traditionally been considered too utilitarian or simple to warrant it, like a pyjama, slip dress, or tracksuit.”
Cool, hip and colourful with ultra contemporary prints and patterns >on 0alle¼s collections are a s]re fire way to invigorate your wardrobe. Also providing fun PJ sets is )merican laJel )lice 7li^ia sold at 4ane +rawNord tPat does long and short summer printed versions featuring their adorable cartoon icon based on the founder Stacey Bendet.
Staying at home can get seriously stylish with the plethora of brands dealing in chic sleep and loungewear these days. For daring bright bolts of colour to add positive energy, take a look at tPe sa ٺ ron colo]red Jelted ټ]r e roJe dresses Nrom 4isa Marie Fernandez (at Lane Crawford), which work for hot summer days and stylish lounging. Go full fashionista with this Balenciaga Chain print pyjama dress, which is really meant for sPowinO o ٺ o]tdoors J]t Pey all wear can Je Pomewear tPese days. Also blurring the lines between home and runway is Ralph & Russo’s ultra-luxe ready-to-wear slinky Kimono tie-dye-style top or for full-blown drama, waft regally around yo]r Olorio]s aJode in tPe AEoor lenOtP 3imono dress
Some of the world’s most stylish women have been vocal about their love of being in their PJs. Kerry Washington has said that she “would wear pyjamas everyday to work if it were up to me”. Similarly Cate Blanchet prefers being in her PJs with her kids to working. Supermodel Heidi Klum has admitted to having “a whole army of pyjamas” in her wardrobe.
If it’s a more zen look you’re going for, you can evoke a sense of calm with soft, high-quality comfy fabrics, in muted pastels and hues. The likes of Loro Piana do a wonderful job in this department always o ٺ erinO eleOant timeless lo]nOewear
– their cream, white and dusky blue separates for spring summer are relaxed, ultra comfortable and always expensive looking – here’s to a hoodie that doesn’t look sloppy!
‘‘IN OUR FAST-PACED LIFESTYLE, WE OFTEN FORGET THE IMPORTANCE OF SLOWING DOWN TO CARE FOR OUR HEALTH AND KEEP IN BODIES IN OPTIMAL CONDITION” — IVA MILLAREAU, RE.VITYL
For slinky, sensuality, brands like Suzhou-based lingerie and sleepwear brand Sanglou does lots of lingerie, pyjama, sleepwear and robe styles. The vertically integrated brand owns its own mulberry and silkworm farms around China, ensuring high-grade silks and silk-mix fabrics (such as the machine-washable silk-jersey pieces we so adore). There are sexy slips and underwear (with slips of lace, jersey and mesh), as well as languid pure silk robes and pure silk pyjamas (for men too) in luxurious hues, perfect for lounging around the house in style.
Accessorise with gorgeous slippers that work for home and outdoors. We’re obsessed with these ultra-luxurious Bottega Woven Slides, with the Italian brand’s signature leather weave, or look to slim versions of those trendy furry slides for added femininity. We’re also loving a velvet slipper at home – there’s something just a little decadent about this fabric and the jewel-toned hues it can hold. Prada’s waterproof logo slides are a more casual, sporty option – good for running around inside and outside in the steamy Hong Kong summer heat.
Sleep accessories are key – see these unisex adjustable silk eyemasks in a range of colours with healing crystal inserts by newly launched Hong Kong-New York brand Re.Vityl. “In our fast-paced lifestyle, we often forget the importance of slowing down to care for our health and keep in bodies in optimal condition,” says the Hong Kong based co-founder, Croatian native Iva Millereau. “We want to restore your wellbeing through relaxing and restorative powers of crystals, silks and plant elemental energy to maximise sleep and quality of life…”
MEN
We’ve not forgotten about the men, of course. Instead of slouching around in that old hoodie and sweatpants, there’s brands like Desmond & Dempsey (available from 5r 8orter wPere yo]¼ll find a really lo^ely ranOe oN solid masculine colours as well as cool, modern prints on PJs for men – the dark-green palm print being a great option this season – and using organic cottons that are better for skin and the environment. The most luxurious Loro
Piano cashmeres and high-quality summer linens are dreamily super-comfy and perfect for lounging in.
For full decadence, turn to a luxurious Italian brand like Stefano Ricci, which has dressed the likes of Tom Cruise and Nelson Mandela, and trades in ultra-masculine, Italian-made products. The brand is famed in Italy for its silks, owing in part to its historic Florentine silk mill that makes some of the most exclusive fabrics in the world.
Take a look at the midnight-blue robe with grey quilted details made from 100 percent silk and available through Stefano Ricci’s Made-to-Measure services.
Go big or go home – you might as well. You can do both with the bold range of outrageously colourful Versace signature printed robes. The unabashed maximalism of tPeir ranOe is not Nor tPe Naint oN Peart – tPis definitely Oi^es out emperor vibes. But what’s wrong with that once in a wPile' Ao] can¼t deny o]tfits liSe tPis will maSe yo] Neel rather self-indulgent while nursing that third glass of Macallan Rare Cask single malt on the sofa. It’s not called being lazy or slobby my dear; it’s called “regal lounging”.
.inally top o ٺ a looS witP a pair oN m]ted casPmere or wool slippers, simple leather slides or try dapper velvet slips on shoes – widely available at traditional men’s shoemaking labels. Accessorise and get comfy with luxurious cashmeres at home, and we’ve spotted a masculine charcoal cashmere set by Johnstons of Elgin, also available from Mr Porter – and a fabulous choice for Father’s Day coming up soon.