The Best Loungewear to Start and End Your Day
Elevated options for resting and errand runs
Long gone are the days of Juicy sweatsuits and Snuggies as the sole options to sport around the house. Today, the best loungewear is having a sophisticated revival: A work-from-home wardrobe that merges comfort with professionalism. In our opinion, top-tier attire in this clothing category meets the following criteria: soft and breathable materials and unisex silhouettes that are suitable for sleep, lounging, and even running errands. Bonus points for a gorgeous little button detail, or a classy piping moment. (This does mean, however, we’re leaving viscose-leaning picks like leggings and hoodies to more athletic publications—we’re trying to supply functional loungewear for aesthetic relaxation.)
Our Tested Top Picks
Featured in this article
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Our picks span sleepwear, top and pant sets, and silky shorts, so that whatever your preferences, we have a little something you’ll like.
Our Favorites
Best Loungewear Set
“I’m not usually someone who cares about what I wear around the house when no one else is around to see it, but these Lake pajamas I was gifted recently have become a fun thing to slip on when I want to cosplay as someone in a different tax bracket—padding around in silk slippers and sipping chamomile tea,” says associate commerce director Lori Keong, adding that kimono-style jackets will do that to you. “Tied around the waist and paired with trouser-style pants, they are the embodiment of unstuffy elegance, so I like to consider this wide-legged set the business-casual version of loungewear.” She has these in a nautical-feeling blue and white palette, and loves how soft the material feels on her skin. Plus, it’s easy to pair with a jacket in her case, especially to “sneak past the bare windows (I have no curtains in my new apartment) to the bathroom.”
A High-End Robe
Commerce writer Julia Harrison has taken about every editorial occasion possible to tell you about this robe, which is lightweight, super absorbent, soft, and made of high-quality organic cotton. “It’s the first thing I put on in the morning—I lounge in it for about an hour or so before I get dressed—after the shower, after work, during my nighttime routine. I’m in this robe at any and all times it’s appropriate—even sometimes when it’s not,” says Harrison. “I would save this first in a fire—that’s how much I love it.” It’s also worth calling out Boll & Branch’s sustainability commitment, which helps to push our dollar in their direction.
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Vibrant Slippers
These slippers, like their predecessors, were listed in our best slippers roundup for their unique style, and their high-quality materials, made from 100% genuine Italian leather and Nigerian Aso oke cloth. “I've been obsessed with these vibrant slippers,” says senior commerce editor Nashia Baker. “Even though I love wearing them around the house, they're so chic I'm also tempted to sport them out on the town.” And she could—their material makeup is durable enough for brunch, even.
A Versatile Top
“This PJ top has a loose silhouette and is extremely breathable, which makes it a great staple in the summer when the last thing you want is fabric clinging to your body at night (or during the day),” says commerce editor Audrey Lee, who owns the set in two colors. A collared PJ set makes her look “more put together on days when I don’t give much thought to my outfit.” We’ve yet to see it in-office but are biding our time.
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Best Bottoms
“I’ve quite literally worn these out with a cashmere sweater over top of the boxer button,” says Harrison. Paired with a sweatshirt, a cardigan, any sort of put-together top and these become a resort-forward option for relaxed-fit bottoms. Harrison also reviews them as “super cooling, soft, and not at all skimpy, which I prefer because it means I can go down and get the paper without a cat call from the double-parked Spectrum guy.”
A Classic Tee
This T-shirt is a nightly go-to for Harrison, as well as a daily one. “This piece gets more wear than anything else in my closet, and I’ll admit it—I sometimes sleep in this, wake up, put on jeans, and go on with my day.” The fit is wide but not quite boxy, and hits just at the waist so it’s not a crop nor is it a piece you’ll need to french-tuck. It’s also a completely sensible piece of loungewear to have on while letting in the exterminator, the Taskrabbit, or the super at long last.
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More AD-Approved Loungewear
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Another favorite of Harrison’s is this robe from Autumn Sonata, which is a suitable choice for all seasons but summer, at which point it’s actually too plush and thick to be comfortable. Made in Portugal with 100% cotton, “You couldn’t get me out of this thing between November and February,” says Harrison, who paired this religiously with her sherpa Bombas.”
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Bombas landed on our list twice for having the sort of versatile loungewear that does it for us. Commerce producer Lauren Arzbaecher calls these sock-adjacent slippers “super soft—I like that they’re more cushioned than a typical sock without delving into full house shoes. Plus, Bombas’ new fruit and vegetable inspired designs are too cute to pass up.”
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Petite Plume delivers on arguably the most classic slipper style of all—a suede moccasin style with a shearling insole. Rubber soles make them great errand shoes, and the price point is nothing to scoff at. The shoe’s vamp rises more highly on the foot than other moccasin styles, which makes for a more secure step and sophisticated styling.
Harrison has worn these into nubs of what they once were, but still, she assures us, they hold up. “I can’t imagine how these have stayed intact considering what I’ve put them through—I’ve driven in these, walked to the bodega, done minor construction work on my apartment...they’ve not had an easy life,” she says. While she’s partial to the cherry chocolate color, the white sherpa is a great choice if you’re planning on keeping these indoors.
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Another loungewear set favorited by Harrison (who clearly needs to buy some proper clothes), this set from Chan Luu is “essentially resortwear,” says Harrison. “Even at my palest, I look like I’ve just returned from a vacation on the Amalfi Coast, or a Bali-based mindfulness retreat.” 100% cotton with French knot detailing makes this a super unique choice, and the silhouette feels particularly unique. Pro tip: without the pants, it makes a great coverup.
There’s that piping we mentioned, and in a silky striped set in a classic navy-and-white colorway. This matching set is the sort that makes you look relaxed and styled at the same time, the exact sort of thing you’d hope to be wearing when your in-laws stop by “just to say hi.” Made from 100% breathable silky lyocell, this is a totally unisex style that makes it suitable (see: stealable) between you and your partner.
