Luxury loungewear takes a leading role in 2021
No longer something relegated to the home—even though we all mostly have been stuck at home the last year—luxury loungewear is the new go-to. The new jeans and a t-shirt. Upscale basics are the result of the casual-ization of luxury, and it means looking good and being comfortable are no longer mutually exclusive.
How Luxury Loungewear Has Evolved
Designers have always dabbled in casual styles and personal garments like pricey underwear, lingerie, and things like robes and towels. “Luxury loungewear” now encompasses everyday staples like joggers, hoodies, and sneakers, all of which are relatively new categories for the likes of Prada and Bottega Veneta.
Today, there is a democratization of luxury fashion: traditional names like Brunello Cucinelli share space with new names like Off-White, a streetwear-driven label popularized through social media. Many enjoy mixing the two in their own unique way.
Likewise, many historical names known more for haute couture runway presentations, like Givenchy and Thom Browne, now produce cozy sweatshirts and sweatpants for the everyday.
The best loungewear today is appropriate for almost any occasion, be it the cafe, for travel, or for just hanging around the house. But it also makes a statement, with colors, branded motifs, innovative materials, and a considered approach to design that used to be reserved only for high-end formalwear.
The Best Ways to Style Your Loungewear
It’s likely that luxury loungewear is already a part of your style routine. However, there are some principles to keep in mind.
Loungewear is rarely form-fitting. The concept is: loose and spacious, so an oversized fit is not considered sloppy. The exception of course is women’s leggings, which are meant to be form-fitting but also very comfortable.
Otherwise, luxury loungewear like hoodies and sweatshirts can be worn with jeans, sneakers, and other complementary casual pieces.
You can also dress loungewear up with touches of more traditional luxury fashion. For women that could be a chic pair of heels. For men, a lambskin leather jacket over a hoodie or sweatshirt.
Staple Loungewear Pieces to Add to Your Wardrobe
For women, we love Balenciaga’s loungewear offerings (below) : a logo hoodie for dog walks, logo tee for Zoom calls, and a logo-covered shirt-dress for coffee dates. Casual, check. On-trend, definitely.
Instead of joggers or jeans, Stella McCartney has a fresh take: silk unstructured trousers (below).
And for the bedroom only? Think Gucci’s monogram lingerie set.
The Palm Angels hoodie is a good starting point for men. The “broken croc” version (above) is especially popular lately.
If you want to start small, think about dabbling in high-end undergarments from the names you love for the rest of your closet: Off-White, Tom Ford, and Balmain.
Designers Leading the Way in Luxury Loungewear
Which brands you prefer for your own luxury loungewear is really a matter of taste. However, many younger labels are firmly rooted in casual, streetwear, and loungewear, and thus are masters of the understated aesthetic.
New and Hip:
Established and Ultraluxe:
Discover more Loungewear inspiration: Fashion on Camera: For Life through a Lens; Mou Boots Are Your Winter Best Friend; What To Wear On a Weekend Getaway; and How Golden Goose Sneakers are Made.
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About the Author
Alex English is the Head of Content Marketing at italist.com, building on a lifelong passion for fashion and luxury. After publishing a lifestyle blog for nearly ten years and obtaining an MBA in Milan at SDA Bocconi, one of Europe’s top business schools, he joined the italist team in 2019. His work since then has focused on upper-funnel messaging, brand storytelling, establishing italist as a thought leader in the space, and enriching the customer experience on the platform. Find him on LinkedIn.