Loungewear left its mark on culture beginning with the quarantine days of 2020, ushering the entire world into an era when casual trends and home reclusion ruled. A comfort-over-fashion attitude took hold, and loungewear quickly became one of the hottest trends for retailers worldwide. When Anna Wintour from Vogue was photographed in April 2020 in her home office riding the loungewear wave, we should have known this fashion fervor wasn’t going away.

The loungewear market grew, and A-list celebrities are still emerging from their SUVs in monochromatic, pajama-like sets. I’ll never forget actor Selena Gomez popping out of a limo in Santa Monica, California, in a navy silk pajama set and pumps. Pajamas in public? Not a problem. Many brands are flying high with track suits and T-shirts featuring soft, comfortable fabric.

Today’s Loungewear

At times, the term “loungewear” can be paired with “athletic wear,” or even with “sleepwear.” My definition of loungewear is a two-piece outfit that’s cozy, comfortable, and generally worn in casual environments, such as the home. Athletic wear is worn for sporty activities. While athletic wear is inherently comfortable and often consists of two-piece outfits, the garment styles and fabrics are different. Sleepwear is clothing (or lack thereof) designed to be worn when sleeping.

These days, loungewear often consists of ensembles worthy of public attention. Sweatsuits, leggings, jumpsuits, and even pajama-like silhouettes have staked their claim in the broader style landscape, and have become go-to attire for leisure and professional settings.

Sew Your Own

I encourage you to find loungewear options that are striking, classy yet comfortable, and maybe even bold. It may be hard, however, to decide what looks will be stylish for more than a season. I’ll suggest patterns that can make these looks sophisticated and even glamorous.

As sewists, we…