Luxury loungewear. Is that even a thing? Yes guys it is.
And with the majority of us living a hybrid work-from-home/in-office schedule, what you relax in (or work in for that matter), becomes all the more important.
On the flip side, maybe you’re the guy who doesn’t care about what you wear (or how ratty it looks) as long as it’s comfortable. I mean people are only ever going to see the top half of you in a meeting right?
Well, don’t worry I get it and I’ve got you.
But before I go any further, I think the big question has to be asked and answered.
WHY DOES IT MATTER WHAT I’M WEARING BEHIND CLOSED DOORS????
It’s simple really. Because this is about you. Let me repeat that. THIS IS ABOUT YOU.
Remember that part of developing your style is about making you feel good. When you feel good you just carry yourself differently and it spills into every other aspect of your life.
What you “lounge in” should be no different.
And trust me guys there’s nothing sexier than a guy relaxing at home in well-fitted lounge pants (or underwear if that’s more your speed).
In this post we’ll look at:
- What defines loungewear?;
- The key to good loungewear;
- How to choose your next lounge piece (and look good in it); and
- The top five best men’s loungewear brands to look at.
What defines Loungewear?
So when it comes to loungewear, there are many schools of thought. And it can be confusing to try to wade through all the information that’s out there and figure it all out. Let’s keep it simple starting with what it’s not.
Loungewear is not your PJ’s. It’s also not your jeans. Who wants to be at home on the couch in their jeans? It may work for a fashion editorial, but most guys I know want to feel free, relaxed, and comfortable.
So think of it as somewhere in-between.
Your loungewear will be comfortable enough to relax and work at home, but will also be able to transition easily from the couch to the home office, or leaving the house for any errand you may have to run.
We’ve all seen the guy standing at the checkout in his pajama bottoms and what can only be described as his bedroom slippers, holding his jug of milk and hoping he doesn’t run into anyone he knows.
Okay, so maybe that’s a little bit of an exaggeration but deep down for some, you know I’m not far off from the truth.
Don’t be that guy. Let your loungewear work for you, not against you.
So when building your collection, think joggers, hoodies, tees etc. but with a twist (more on that below).
The Key To Good Loungewear
So what is the key to good loungewear?
Well, of course, you want it to be comfortable (see I told you I was here for you), but you also want it to be stylish and it should still have that “tailored” aspect to it (meaning it has to fit your body, we’re not looking for anything oversized).
It should feel extravagant and luxe, even a little indulgent.
Now guys, when I talk about luxury, I don’t mean that you have to run out and buy the most expensive, high-end designer pieces.
For me, luxury in this instance, means something that feels amazing on your skin (almost like a second skin), something that you can’t wait to slip into.
It just feels good. You want to consider this when you’re shopping because you’ll ultimately be in it all day.
How to Choose Your Next “Loungewear Piece”
So where do you start when it comes to choosing your next loungewear pieces? What should you be looking for?
FIT
Let’s first discuss fit. Fit is always going to be king in whatever you wear, and that includes your loungewear.
You don’t want to fall into the trap of going too “baggy or oversized”. You’ll want to choose pieces that will accentuate your physique (or at least those parts of your physique that you want to show off).
Slim fit and tapered pieces (i.e.: sweatshirts, joggers, etc.) will help you to avoid looking disheveled and scruffy.
Remember too that working from home is also about a mindset. So if you feel good and look put together, it could help you to be more productive in the tasks that you have to tackle.
Also, you’re ready for that unexpected, last-minute meeting, or the one you just forgot about.
VERSATILITY
You also want the pieces you pick up to integrate seamlessly into your wardrobe. So neutral colors such as blues, black, and grey will ensure everything works together.
Also keep in mind that If you choose wisely (think quality), you can have some of these pieces for years so spend time thinking about what you already have in your wardrobe and what the gaps are.
What are you missing? Note them down and make those the first pieces you pick up when you go to shop.
A little disclaimer here. I’m not saying that you can’t have color in your wardrobe. But when you’re building a wardrobe from scratch (even if it’s just a specific part of your wardrobe), you always want to start with foundational pieces.
Neutral colors will help you to do that. Then, when you want to go for more trendy, colorful pieces, you’ll already have items in your wardrobe that will work with them.
This will help keep your wardrobe fresh but not a slave to trends.
And don’t be afraid of matching sets. They’re the quickest way to look put together.
FABRIC
Arguably one of the most important parts of building your loungewear wardrobe.
The fabric is what’s going to be next to your body all day so you want to make sure that it feels good. Look for items made with cashmere, organic cotton, jersey with a bit of stretch, and merino wool.
FUNCTION
Whatever you choose, you want it to be versatile (see above), durable (last longer than a few washes, and this is directly related to the quality of the materials used and the construction), and easy to care for.
TOP 5 MENS’ LOUNGEWEAR BRANDS
Ok, now that we’ve covered the basics, here are 5 of the best men’s loungewear brands I’m loving right now to help inspire your lounge game:
1. MACK WELDON
A “lifestyle brand” all about creating quality men’s basics with attention to detail and fit.
My picks: ACE Sweatpant & ACE Hooded Sweatshirt. The sweatpants come in a “tall I love that the sweatshirt comes in three different styles- Zip, pullover with a hood, and crewneck.
2. PUBLIC REC
“Our Comfort, Your Style” is what the team at Public Rec preaches. And judging from the massive amount of positive reviews on their website, it seems their products practice what they preach.
My Picks: All Day, Every Day Jogger, and the Weekend Half-Zip. And Bonus, the “weekend” series comes in three different styles. the Weekend Half-Zip, the Weekend Full Zip, and the Weekend Crew. Love that for your guys.
3. REISS
Founded in the 1970’s, this modern fashion house focuses on attainable luxury. I love the attention to detail on their pieces because it really gives a high-end feel.
My picks: Fabien Interlock Jersey Drawstring Hoodie and Premier Interlock Jersey Drawstring Joggers. And if you don’t mind logos, there’s an option for that to.
4. JOHN ELLIOT
This brand focuses on basics with a stylish modern fit. A little pricey (OK a lot for some pieces) but they do have some unique pieces.
And if you decide to indulge, think of picking up a pair of the “Belted Vintage Fleece Sweatpants” for the girl in your life. Love. Them.
My Picks- Hooded Villain (love the zip detail on the sides) and Escobar Sweatpants. Note: my picks are a very slim fit so just keep that in mind if you decide to purchase.
5. KOTN
Classic design meets sustainability. So if this is your thing, then this is the brand for you.
My picks: We’re going a bit retro here with the Men’s Essential Sweatpants and Men’s Essential Crew.
Honourable Mentions: H&M & Uniqlo
Ok, so not loungewear brands per se but I had to throw them on the list because if you hit them at the right time, you can get some really great pieces.
These are obviously the most affordable option for when you want options in your loungewear but you don’t want to break the bank.
I’m loving all the neutrals they have online at the moment and you can mix and match with anything, which is the key to building the perfect capsule loungewear wardrobe (look out for that in a future post!)
My goal with this post was to inspire you to up your game when it comes to your at-home wear.
In my next post, I’ll talk about how to create a luxury capsule wardrobe.
Ps. Let me know which of these brands you would like me to do a more in-depth review on or if you own any of these items yourself!
X Natasha
