When you get home from a long day at the office, or at the in-laws’ house, or running errands, what’s the first thing you do? If you’re anything like us, you’re taking off those jeans, removing your bra (without taking your shirt off, of course, like the pro you are), putting on your coziest sweats, and getting horizontal on your couch. Comfort is key.
If there’s one trend we can really get behind, it is the resurgence of the popularity of loungewear. In a world where we are often made to feel uncomfortable, there’s nothing better than being able to slip on a soft, cozy, comfy loungewear set.
So sit back, relax, take off your bra, and settle in. Today, we are talking about loungewear!
What Is Loungewear?
First things first: Let’s get into what loungewear actually entails. As the name implies, loungewear is pretty much any piece of clothing that you can relax and lounge in. These pieces tend to lie somewhere between what you’re wearing to the office and your full-out pajamas.
Though the definition of loungewear can be a little bit broad, there are some notable characteristics that all loungewear pieces have in common:
- Soft and Comfortable Materials
- Loose, relaxed fit
- No itchy or uncomfortable details like beading or scratchy lace
- The appropriate level of warmth
- The “Happy Medium” look
When it comes to loungewear, you can think of it as a happy medium between dressing up and dressing for sleep.
What’s the Difference Between Loungewear, Sleepwear, and Athleisure?
Now, this might beg the question: If loungewear is so comfy-cozy but not quite as loungey as your jammies, what’s the difference between loungewear, sleepwear, and athleisure wear? The answer might surprise you.
Truthfully, there’s some overlap between these items. All three are comfortable types of clothing that you can wear to relax, but there are some distinct differences.
Loungewear
Because it is a little bit more refined than pajamas, loungewear is a nice choice if you are doing something around the house, maybe popping outside to grab your mail or even visiting with a neighbor. It was designed to be comfortable but also stylish.
Sleepwear
Sleepwear, on the other hand, is designed specifically to sleep in. Because of this, you might encounter items of clothing that you really wouldn’t want to wear outside of your home (Well, you do you. We’re not judging).
Athleisure Wear
Athleisure wear has become super popular in the past few years, and we credit the gym rats! If you go into your average fitness facility, you will see a pretty diverse population of humans, but notably, you will see a lot of women.
This hasn’t always been the case. Because women are hitting the gym now more than ever, there’s a need for fashionable gym clothes.
Does it surprise anyone that we have taken these comfy gym outfits out of the gym and onto the streets? Athleisure wear like track jackets, yoga pants, and athletic shoes could be used at the gym, but also for just hanging out with friends.
Can You Wear Loungewear Out of the House?
You better believe it! Well, let’s back up for a second. This question depends on the type of loungewear that you are going to be wearing.
For better or worse, in recent years, we have been getting a little more casual. You’re not going to get any dirty looks by wearing a pair of lounge pants to the supermarket.
The flip side of the coin is that if you prefer to wear loungewear that is a bit more revealing, you might feel more comfortable keeping yourself at home or changing before you go out. In general, loungewear is designed to be a bit more acceptable to the public eye with flattering silhouettes and quality fabrics, so depending on your own comfort level, running some errands in your loungewear might just work for you!
Why Is Loungewear so Popular?
Though comfort is always in style, there’s no doubt that within recent years, the popularity of loungewear has absolutely surged. We’re talking sales through the roof and coziness as far as the eye can see!
Some economists have credited the COVID-19 pandemic with the new popularity of loungewear, and they may be onto something. With more people working from home, it really felt less important to get dressed up.
Plus, since a lot of loungewear comes in neutral colors and solids, if you had a really important Zoom meeting, you could just toss a blazer over your cozy lounge shirt.
Fast forward to 2024, and a lot of the patterns we were seeing in casual wear are still in place. Many people are still working from home, at least some of the time. There has been a cultural shift in how we view ourselves and others. Casual no longer means disheveled. And we are here for it!
Another reason for the uptick in loungewear sales is that in 2024, we are done judging others. Sure, trends are trends, but the “be yourself” mentality is stronger now than ever. Wearing whatever makes you happy has led many people to flock to comfort.
There’s also the psychological component of comfort. Some people have hopped onto the trend of “dopamine dressing.” In other words, wearing clothes that release happy chemicals in your brain.
Think about your favorite old cozy hoodie or those flannel pants you just can’t bring yourself to throw away. Dressing for comfort, both physically and mentally, just makes sense.
What Are Some Different Types of Loungewear?
The list of types of loungewear goes on and on, but there are a few staples that you may want to consider if you are on a quest to add to your loungewear repertoire:
- Relaxed fit T-shirts
- Comfortable yet still fitted tanks
- Long-sleeved shirts
- Fuzzy sweaters or cardigans
- Loose lounge pants
- Joggers
- Ultra cozy robes
- Yoga pants
- Blanket scarf or wrap
- Shorts
Now, depending on where you live, you probably won’t need fuzzy sweaters and long-sleeved shirts in the summer, but it’s still good to stock up for other seasons. Pro tip: shopping in the off-season can often help you get some great bargains when items go on sale!
What Should You Look For in Loungewear?
When you’re picking your 2024 summer loungewear, there are some things you should be looking for. Keep an eye out for the following things:
Comfort
This is a no-brainer, but you must choose comfort first. You want pieces that are comfortable, that have the right fit, and that make you feel good in your skin. Choose loungewear with fabrics like bamboo, cotton, or rayon blends.
Eco Consciousness
Not all companies are created equal when it comes to taking care of the environment. Make sure you go with a company that is creating its pieces ethically and with the environment in mind.
Durability
If you find the perfect set of loungewear, you want it to last. While this article may be about loungewear for the summer of 2024, if you select high-quality clothing, you’re guaranteed to have it not only this summer but for many to come.
Our Top 8 Favorite Loungewear Pieces for the Summer
Okay, this is the moment you’ve been waiting for — our top picks for summer loungewear. This carefully curated list has a little something for everyone. Read on to learn about our favorite pieces for a cozy summer.
1. The Classic Tee
We are borderline obsessed with this immensely soft, perfectly fitted tee. Made with our exclusive Bamboo fabric, you won’t believe how beautifully it drapes and how good it looks.
This is one you can easily take from the couch to your errands or even to the office. True to size, we love the fit of this one, but if you prefer an oversized fit, just order one size up!
2. The Scoop Tank
This is about to become your new favorite tank top for lounging in, layering, or wearing on its own. It’s not super tight like most tank tops, so it is majorly comfy.
However, it isn’t too loose, so it’s flattering and cute. This hangs in all the right ways for the perfect look you want in a tank. That look is tough to find, but your search stops here!
3. The Wide Leg Pant
We don’t know about you, but even in the summer, we love a good pant. Obviously, we are blasting the AC anyway, plus there’s just something so cozy about a pair of loose, baggy pants when you’re snuggling up on the couch. These are also constructed of a thin-but-quality fabric, so you won’t get too hot like in thicker sweats.
4. The Slip
Okay, this one you might not want to wear out of the house. However, we can also confirm that once you slip this on, you may never want to leave the house again.
Our slip is the perfect choice for a summer nightgown. It’s also the perfect choice for wearing around your yard on a cool summer morning after throwing on your rainboots to have your coffee outside while you admire your garden.
5. The Robe
We can just about promise you that this will quickly become your new favorite robe. It’s perfect for summer: midi length, soft but cool waffle fabric, and an adjustable waist with a removable tie.
What’s not to love? This is the perfect choice if you want to layer something over a tank and shorts to be just a bit more covered up while lounging at home.
6: The Sleep Tee
This loungewear doubles as jammies, and we couldn’t possibly love it more! Our sleep tee comes in our butter-soft waffle fabric, which is made of 95% bamboo and 5% spandex.
Just stretchy enough, just fitted enough, and just the right blend of sexy and adorable, you will never want to take this off. Honestly, if you pair it with some black leggings, you can absolutely get away with a grocery store trip in this gorgeous piece.
7: The Short
Were you wondering when a pair of shorts would pop up on this list? Well, look no further! This pair is soft and cozy and perfect for those hotter days.
They feature a high rise with an adjustable covered elastic waistband, meaning they will fit just right and sit comfortably on your waist and hips. Depending on the color you want, these come in both our ultra-cozy bamboo fabric and our waffle weave.
8: The Cami
If you’re not a fan of the scoop-neck tank top but you still really want a tank on a hot summer day, try out the cami. Toss aside any expectations or preconceived notions that you have about cami tanks. This one’s different!
In our waffle fabric, it comes with adjustable straps, which is honestly such a game changer. It’s fitted, but not too fitted. We really love this choice for lounging, but also as a piece to wear under work clothes like a button-down shirt or a wrap dress.
Conclusion
When choosing your loungewear for the summer of 2024, you should be looking for comfort, durability, and sustainability. Whether you choose a tank, a sleep tee, some cozy wide-leg pants, or a soft robe to slip over all of it, you will never regret investing in the perfect lounge set.
The popularity of loungewear has been soaring in recent years, so get out there and find the pieces you want now before they’re gone. Happy lounging!
Sources:
Covid: Shoppers swap party clothes for loungewear | BBC News
What is loungewear and how can I wear it? | The Telegraph
How to Effectively Comfort Yourself | Psych Central
Dopamine Dressing: How to Dress For Your Happiness | Very Well Mind