A category that used to be a mere afterthought in the menswear world is now front and center as far as most of our wardrobes are concerned. You know it, I know it, we all know it: Mens loungewear became increasingly prevalent as part of a work-from-home uniform over the last year and change, but loungewear and mens pajamas as we know ’em today have certainly been around long before this decade.
The difference now, as with most menswear essentials and menswear upgrades, is that the loungewear up for grabs is a bit different than days gone by. Mens loungewear today is comfortable and relaxing, sure, but it’s also a bit more sleek, a bit more tailored and even a bit more wearable outside the house (or at least, on your back patio if need be).
Think loungewear that’s more modern than retro, more sleek and streetwear-inspired than you might expect, and a touch more innovative as far as fabric is concerned, too. Seriously: We’re not kidding.
We’re not talking about the kind of loungewear or sweatsuits commonly seen on, say, The Sopranos. These aren’t Velour sweatsuits with garish colors and athletic stripes, although those pieces actually seem more in fashion nowadays. But let’s focus instead on mens loungewear that’s surprisingly sharp-looking. Yes, that’s right: Loungewear that looks as good as it feels.
Rest easy knowing that several premier fashion brands are making the kind of loungewear that you can wear on your lower half for a Zoom call (think tapered sweatpants) as well as on your top half (think a classic crewneck sweatshirt in a timeless navy color). The real kicker is, these loungewear outfits can be broken up and mixed with other pieces in your wardrobe, like a sustainable T-shirt and a rugged shirt jacket, for the impending cold weather (or any time of year when you want both comfort and style).
Finding loungewear sets these days is kind of like shopping for any other newfound essential in your rotation: You might not find a quality option without a bit of research and some know-how. Likewise, you’ll know right away if you’ve picked up some subpar loungewear made with flimsy fabric and shoddy manufacturing processes.
It’s all about taking the right approach. If that seems uncanny — aren’t these just mens pajamas, after all — rest assured that it’s most assuredly not. Like we said, loungewear is practically a daily uniform for so many of these days, so it pays off to find pieces you can wear together, and pieces that actually look, y’know, good.
Because these loungewear staples are made by recognizable, big-name brands like Everlane, you’ll find that they’re more affordable and better-made than you might expect. And as we mentioned before, because these loungewear picks come from seasoned fashion design minds, well, you’re going to be able to wear pieces from these loungewear sets all on their own, too.
We all know the true reason for snagging some new at-home gear, though: Literally lounging in comfort and style. After all, you’re not going to want to wear the same trusty, rugged work pants for weekend yard work and then back in the house. That’s where mens loungewear, yet again, comes into play. How to make them work for you? We’re glad you asked. Let’s get right down to business and explore how you can make this new go-to menswear must-have work for you.
How to Shop for Loungewear Right Now
- Shop for comfort: We mentioned above that it’s going to be mighty tough to wear something like durable cotton canvas work pants into the house, so comfort is really what you’re looking for in the world of mens loungewear. Most loungewear sets these days rely on super-soft materials like cotton, sometimes garment-dyed, along with stretch fabric blends that sometimes merge polyester and cotton or even nylon detailing (more commonly found in sweatsuits designed for active pursuits). Since the only active pursuits you’re looking at nowadays involve hanging out with a coffee in hand and a record spinning — or perhaps, logging into another Zoom call — look for fabrics that scream laidback relaxation, rather than intense work.
- Focus on versatility: Your loungewear should undoubtedly be remarkably comfortable and easy to throw on when you roll out of bed in the morning, but it gets even better from there. Loungewear outfits commonly feature a matching set of sweats and a matching top, be it a crewneck sweatshirt, a long-sleeve T-shirt, a short-sleeve T-shirt or even a zip jacket, in the case of loungewear from popular sports brands. The very reason we love loungewear so much these days is that although they work best together, you’re getting two essentials that work with other parts of your wardrobe. Think of it like an added bonus as you shop for loungewear, because the possibilities are nearly limitless with Work-From-Home uniforms nowadays.
- Find the style that works for you: We’ll keep on repeating this, but mens loungewear gives you a variety of options to mix and match different pieces, as well as style ’em together for WFH days and weekend Netflix binges (we recommend Peaky Blinders, for starters). All that being said, you need to find the right loungewear set before you can do any of those things. We recommend avoiding outlandish prints or huge logos, both of which are sometimes found on loungewear sets. Focus on solid colors, classic looks and, among other tips, slimmer fits rather than ultra-baggy sweatpants and hoodies. Below, you’ll see some picks from our neck of the woods that readily get the job done.
There are lots of important considerations to keep in mind as you figure out the uniform you’ll be wearing to relax and work in style, and we’re just getting started. These are the best loungewear outfits for men to shop now.
Our 5 Favorite Loungewear Sets to Shop For Men
Cozy Earth Breathable Bamboo Loungewear
We’ve sung the praises before of Cozy Earth, so it’s always worth revisiting a much-loved loungewear brand if you seek an expert opinion in the category (which, news flash, you certainly should). It’s the use of soft stretch viscose fabric, derived from bamboo, that really has us wanting to lounge around all day wearing Cozy Earth gear. Whether you mix and match a hoodie and sweats or one of the brand’s super-soft T-shirts and an equally cozy pair of slim-fit jogger shorts, Cozy Earth is a prime stop for supremely comfortable, sustainable mens loungewear.
Paper Project All Day Clean Sweats
The thing with loungewear is that these items quickly become the kind you practically live in, especially if you find quality items made to stand the test of time. This brings us to Paper Project, an NYC-based upstart focused on innovative, anti-microbial fabric blends that target odor and, naturally, bacteria. These kind of innovative design “superpowers” make the brand’s aptly named All Day Clean Sweats the perfect type of loungewear to invest in right now. We say invest, because a classic crewneck sweatshirt in a deep shade of navy will run you $89, as will a pair of the brand’s perfectly tapered sweats, but that’s a price you should be willing to pay, given all the wear you’ll get out of them (both together and mixed in with other wardrobe staples).
Everlane Track Collection Crewneck Sweatshirt and Sweatpants
Make your own loungewear set using two new items from Everlane’s recently launched, here-just-in-time for fall Track Collection. No matter how much or how little you actually run, there’s no telling how much use you’ll get out of two sustainably made, radically transparent pieces of loungewear (Everlane provides tons of info on how and where its garments are made, a crucial element of that transparency). You can’t beat the level of comfort or solid, plain-old-good looks you’re getting with these mix-and-match loungewear sets. Once again, you’re investing a bit, but your WFH wardrobe is all the better for it.
Oliver Spencer Loungewear
There are more ways than ever to find loungewear that works for you, even if you seek loungewear that’s made with more refinement and even rarified, sporty elegance than the average pair of sweatpants. We’re not just spouting off randomly here, either — Oliver Spencer’s loungewear as sold by Mr. Porter is top-notch (and priced at a high investment level) for a reason. Well, multiple reasons. Organic cotton jersey fabric features a fleece interior for super-soft comfort, and we even love the neat, eye-catching color. This is one hoodie you can wear under a denim jacket outside the house, but we’re not sure you’ll want to leave.
Lululemon Men’s Loungewear
If you thought Lululemon gear was only the purview of, say, your girlfriend or wife’s workout wardrobe, think again. The brand has slowly but surely built a more-than-respectable offering when it comes to high-quality men’s gear, including mens loungewear. Tapered sweats, vibrantly colored and easygoing T-shirts and comfortable sweatshorts are all up for grabs when you do finish a workout of your own (or not – your call). However you wear Lululemon loungewear, it’s going to feel as comfortable and relaxed as you need it to be.
