I'm a sleepy girl. Notable naps in my life include; a seven hour afternoon kip under a palm tree on holiday both following and preceding full nights' sleeps, falling asleep on the dance floor at a techno music festival, and a nine hour snooze while on a daytime flight from Dallas to Heathrow. That's why the style set's current obsession with sleepwear as daywear is right up my alley.
Take a quick scroll on your social media platform of choice and you're sure to see influencers du jour dressed like they've just dragged themselves from bed. Over the last couple of years the nightie as daywear - named the 'nap dress' by Hill House Home - has made it's way from niche to normal: cotton night dress styles from Dôen, If Only If, and Sleeper are now standard issue summer attire.
Similarly, boxer shorts and shirts were a big hit last summer - I wore my Mango, Tekla, Frankie Shop, Deiji and Adanola sets on repeat in the warmer months, pairing them with fisherman sandals and ballet flats on my various staycations.
FIND OUT MORE ON ELLE COLLECTIVE
But how to come at this snooze-y style with fresh zeal in 2024? Try some trusty PJ pants.
'I love the intimacy and vulnerability of wearing pyjamas outside the house,' Ruby Redstone, a PJ-loving Fashion Historian tells ELLE UK. It felt wrong to me at first, like being a turtle without its shell, but now I love it. I also love pujamas in a formal setting - they read like a suit but with a sense of humour.'
Pyjama sets and bottoms were all over the AW24 and SS24 runways, with Erdem, Balenciaga, Chopova Lowena and more giving nods to nodding off with comfy, straight leg cotton and silk iterations.
To avoid the Sloane overtones of 2007 I'd not pair with super slouchey items like hoodies and UGG boots, and instead wear my PJ bottoms with crisp shirting and maybe even some loafers. Redstone agrees: 'I've always loved a set of crisp cotton men's pyjamas, which look great worn buttoned all the way up and paired with heels. I also love the combination of cotton pyjamas and a fur coat, a la Manuela Pavesi. Pyjamas with Chanel boots read as an intentional look; pyjamas with Uggs...not so much.'
For those wanting to take it up a notch, then consider the bloomer, a.k.a. shorts, pedal pushers (capri pants), or full trousers that are elasticated or ruched at the bottom as well as the top. Lean into Balletcore by pairing with ballet flats and up the cute factor by making them red.
The Sleepwear We're Not Sleeping In
Charlie Beads Babydoll Bloomers White
Valentia
Tekla Poplin Pants
Arket Relaxed Pyjama Shirt
Frankie Shop Lui Cotton Shorts
Dôen Nerona Mini Dress
From Cou Cou Intimates to vintage night dresses, you're spoilt for choice when it comes to snug sleepwear, your only challenge is taking it from your slumber to the streets.
ELLE Collective is a new community of fashion, beauty and culture lovers. For access to exclusive content, events, inspiring advice from our Editors and industry experts, as well the opportunity to meet designers, thought-leaders and stylists, become a member today HERE.
