FLASH FOR CASHMERE
For luxurious loungewear as colder weather sets in, pick cashmere over silk and stick to basics, says Sarah Young
As the nights get longer and inevitably colder, our attention is turning to a wardrobe that promises to keep the chill at bay.
From cosy evenings in front of the TV to hot toddies by the fire with friends, the time has come to invest in luxury loungewear that will make a night on the sofa that little bit more fabulous.
Luckily, the recent surge in lifestyle trends like hygge and the science of self-care mean that you can now accumulate a wardrobe of comfortable basics that make you feel just as good as that LBD does.
For so long, we’ve come to accept that comfort comes at the cost of style, but that’s starting to change.
Now, luxury is no longer found in beautiful gowns alone, but also cosy cashmere sweats, socks and knits that you can proudly hunker down in. Finally, comfort is king.
A material that’s notoriously expensive, you’d be forgiven for assuming that wearing such pieces will cost you a small fortune and, while they’re still pricier than your average pair of PJs, the good news is that luxury loungewear can be achieved on a smaller budget.
Affordable cashmere might sound like the ultimate oxymoron but high street retailers have made it a reality.
Marks and Spencer has long been revered for its line of super-soft pieces created in collaboration with supermodel Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, while Cos, the minimalist hero of the high street, reimagines everything from cardigans to tracksuit bottoms and ballerina-style slippers with a heavy dose if sophistication.
The decadent shift in the market has made its way to the likes of The White Company, Boden and even H&M too.
If you still can’t quite bring yourself to stretch to something cashmere, why not add it to your Christmas list instead?
After all, doesn’t being wrapped up in a snuggly jumper or a pair of the softest socks bestowed by a loved-one sound like the perfect way to spend the special day?