Lounge lover: time for a cosy update

It shouldn’t take a pandemic to justify the investment in quality, feel-good loungewear. But if there have been any takeaways from the slower, more localised pace of life that most of us have experienced over the past 18 months, it’s that considered, off-duty pieces can make you (almost) feel as put-together as getting dressed for work.

The onset of dark evenings, box sets and dropping temperatures point in one clear direction: cosy joggers, fluffy slippers and ‘substantial’ pyjamas. And to us, that’s something to celebrate. As we head into autumn now is the perfect excuse to treat yourself to a new piece of cashmere or luxe slippers, knowing that you’ll get to wear them every single day until the green shoots of spring appear.

Underwired bras offer unrivaled support, but if all you need is to feel comfortable after a candle-lit bath or plan to spend the evening horizontal on a sofa, then reach for a crop top. Soft and stretchy, you won’t feel like you’re wearing anything. And/Or’s style captures the 1990s mood with branded elastic, while our new Anyday styles could see you into the gym or a yoga class too.

Chilly evenings call for proper PJs. Whether you’re a traditional shirt lover or prefer something simpler and more contemporary, this season’s choice is plentiful. Pay close consideration to the fabric you feel most at ease in: modal is stretchy, jersey is more substantial while cotton is the most breathable of all. If you’re feeling really opulent, then a silky set is a purchase you’ll never regret.

Of course, they never went away. But while your summer set were something you reached for to preserve your modesty round the breakfast table (and subsequently lived in for the rest of the day), winter joggers are a luxurious, inside-only affair in pastel colours, quilted finishes and if you’re feeling really decadent (or your house is particularly drafty), cashmere-blended. Happy legs indeed.

We all have that one wear-on-repeat piece that makes us feel cosy and comfortable. For some it’s woolly socks, pulled on from dinner time and into bed. For others a thick dressing gown worn on regular rotation from October to March. But have you tried a onesie? British brand Hush has given the slouchy all-in-one a desirable upgrade in grey marl and navy (the latter comes with a drawstring waist too). Simply slip into it and enjoy the warmth. Good luck finding your happy piece!

What was once a basic now boasts the same desirability as any pair of shoes in our wardrobes. Do you go for leopard print or sheepskin? A mule or a sandal shape? A pair for inside and outside, or a different one for each? The options are so diverse that you might need a little shoe rack just to house your burgeoning slipper collection…