What to Wear: Loungewear

In my latest Why Don’t You? post, I had mentioned the idea of “…throwing those flannel pajamas and oversized tees away and parade about your home in thigh high socks, a little teddy, and a lovely kimono. Feel fabulous, feel sexy – be a temptress for the day!” A few days later I received an email from this lovely reader:

hello! 

I just adore your blog – “fabulous” is truly the correct word for it. Came over here after seeing a post on Nubby’s blog and her comment saying that yours was great – she’s totally right. Loving it.

I have a “what to wear” style question for you – one that has been bugging me for a long time. What to wear to bed? Not for “playtime” – that’s up to the individual ! but to sleep. If you just pull on a ratty old tee short and tracksuit bottoms to sleep in, your chosen bed partner will probably be a little disappointed … and if you’re sleeping on your own there’s something subtle about wearing fabulous, beautiful things to bed, and something rather sad and sexless about wearing something too utilitarian, which I do right now (Gap basic long-sleeved or short-sleeved t-shrts, depending on the season, and soft pajama bottoms.  Help!!

But the problem is, so many items marketed as women’s bedtime clothes are either tacky or not very practical, or a bit juvenile (Snoopy and Garfield prints – don’t get me wrong, I love them, just not to wear to bed!)

Obviously this question is not for those of your readers who, like Marilyn Monroe, just wear Chanel No. 5 to bed.  I’ve tried it but I either get too cold in winter, or too sticky in summer. And if the postman wakes me up … well, there’s a dilemma for answering the door.

I have at least 7 or 8 lovely slips, a couple silk and the rest synthetic – satin, microfiber etc. They look great (I have a small bust and not much of a waist, so it’s more flattering than a wrap-around effect) but I don’t feel comfortable sleeping in them – not very warm, or a bit sticky depending on weather.  So they languish in my closet, feeling lonely, staring reproachfully at me when I open the door. I wonder if I should just liberate them to the friendly local thrift store.

Your fashion solutions are really good. What would you suggest as a sophisticated, comfortable, yet flattering and even quite sexy (in a classy way) option to wear to bed – I guess while you are at it, for both summer and winter hemispheres? This also solves the “lounging at home late at night or over breakfast” question.

thank you my dear,

didi xx

So what to wear?

.   .   .

{for lounging about the house.}

Vintage Victoria’s Secret loungewear.

The above photos are my personal preferences for  l o u n g i n g about the house (but not to sleep in). It was quite amusing to discover the two pieces in my mother’s closet, completely unworn because a small/medium never fit her ridiculously tiny (yet curvaceous) body, only to find that the little slip and kimono-inspired robe were from Victoria’s Secret. In the eighties. Ah, vintage Victoria’s Secret. Who knew?

I adore everything about it. the little bows on the spaghetti straps, the navy lace, the silk-satin blend floral print, the colors, and of course, the silhouette. It completely hugs my curves, even emphasizing my hourglass shape. And the length, though appearing questionably short in the photo, is actually quite conservative the hemline at the tip of my fingertips. The robe is perhaps my favourite part of the the two pieces; the sleeves are unbelievably beautiful! A majority of blogging is done in that dear robe; the navy sash undone, legs curled beneath me, sitting on my bed. I must admit that I feel like quite the luxurious lady. All I need is a darling little pup named Chanel and a few diamond bracelets hanging off my wrists. Perhaps a butler, too.

I still cannot get over the vintage VS tag.

• Lounging is a quite glamourous word. It evokes images of white, suede chaises with cherry wood legs and Audrey Hepburn in a long, satin robe reading upon it. At least for me it does. No matter, loungewear should make you feel equally empowered and fabulous as you do outside your home. Whether or not we like to admit it, what we wear reflects how we feel. So darling, resurrect those lovely seven or eight slips from the back of your closet. Wear them around the house, for cooking, for doing work, for watching some television, or simply lounging about. Not to mention; should a mysterious handsome stranger asking for directions stop by your house, or if a friend drops by on last minute’s notice, you know you will look impeccable, still.
• In the spring & summer… Slips, dresses, or cute camisole-and-tiny-shorts. Victoria’s Secret and Target are my go-to’s for the perfect loungewear; the former for something a bit prettier and luxurious, and the latter for playful and comfortable options. If it is a bit colder or chilly in the house I am seen walking about in knee or thigh high socks – nothing too provocative, really – but just simple stockings or socks. Easily purchaseable at the likes of Forever 21, Victoria’s Secret, and American Apparel.
• In the fall & winter… Those tracksuits paired with my favorite leopard print slippers. But my favorite ensemble is an oversized/boyfriend sweater worn over leggings. Incredibly comfortable and still chic. Simply snatch a few sweaters from darling dad or the boyfriend. Or the brother. Those random knits – cable, wool, etc. – are oh-so-warm!
• In terms of material… Cotton blends and knits are your best friends! They are the most comfortable and are low maintenance. A bit of silk or satin is lovely for those special occasions, though!
• Robes are a must! Not the terry bathrobes, but those ubiquitous satin/silk ones with the sash. Not only do they provide an adequate source of warmth, but also give an air of luxuriousness. Simply picture yourself making your morning coffee with your hair piled up, just a bit disheveled. A robe is one of those things that polish the at-home lounge outfit.

{a sleeping beauty.}

Your beauty sleep is all about comfort; it’s nearly impossible to get a good night’s worth of rest if you are worrying about the (a) itchy seams or fabric or (b) wrinkling the clothing. On the other hand, those awfully printed pajama sets are too juvenile. Of course it is easy to simply forget about sleepwear and vanquish all hope to the pajama gods, but we are hardly the type to give up so easily.

I shall share to you a  l i t t l e  secret of  m i n e when it comes to buying pajamas. I never head to the pajama section. Or rarely, that is. No matter how adorable that Hello Kitty print pajama bottom-and-top set is, it’s not, well, me. And such loungewear is often made of cheaper material, meaning, after a few washes, those irritating little fuzzes begin to surface. Nor do I attempt to go for those more provocative pajamas as offered in women’s sections – I have no need for little lace numbers.

This is when I head to dance stores of sporting goods stores, with my mind set upon their yoga/dance department. Attire for yoga & dance are incredibly comfortable, durable, and surprisingly chic. They are quite flattering too, offering support where needed, fitting your curves but still giving you room to breathe (yoga/dance wear is meant to be moved in – meaning late night tosses and turning can be done with ease).  The material is breathe-able, which is an added plus! Opt for cute little pants or shorts, or a little racerback top or sweater. They come in coordinating sets too!

• In the spring & summer… Knit yoga pants, fitted dance shorts (with knee high socks if it’s chilly), Victoria Secret Pink tees, yoga tanks. Thin teeshirt dresses are lovely too. Little booty shorts paired with thigh highs and a little tank if you so wish to be provocative in bed. Or be cheeky and be clad in simply a racerback tank and adorable VS underwear. My “inspiration”/”pajama” style: those VS Pink ads, what dancers wear. They channel comfort and sexiness simultaneously.
• In the fall & winter… Knit yoga/dance pants, long sleeve thermals or henleys; oversized/boyfriend sweaters paired with leggings.  Not exactly the idea of a sexy yet comfortable sleepwear, but when it is cold, all I want is a cup of hot chocolate and a toasty bed. Perhaps a teeshirt-dress (fitted, of course) would be a bit more provocative? But if you worried about that, simply dress in your best lingerie – because then, what you wear over it is of little to no importance if it is to be taken right off, no?

♥

Bonne nuit!

bisous,

La C.