Clothing wise, I pretty much spend my weekdays changing between pajamas and loungewear sets with the occasional blouse thrown on for Zoom meetings.
Most weeks I leave the house once or twice to go to the grocery store or somewhere very specific.
Before the Pandemic I went to an office five days a week, and sometimes my work included evening events as well. My work capsule wardrobe has been a great workhorse for years, and since I began putting together my casual capsule wardrobe, I feel good about my clothing choices.
On a typical workday, my uniform is a blouse and slacks with a great pair of shoes. On the weekend, depending on how I’m living, a blouse and jeans or a tee shirt and jeans are typical.
Actually, this year my main focus has been styling. Learning how to put together the clothes in my closet with a bit of fashion in mind, which means a tuck here, a roll there, or even layering items.
My New Normal
Then the Pandemic hit, and I was sent home for two weeks, which turned into working from home for a few months. Which then turned into more months, and now it looks like I will be working from home for the majority of 2021. As a result, my clothing purchases have changed significantly.
I am not ashamed to admit that at first I spent my days changing from one set of pajamas to the next.
Truthfully, I went to Target and purchased a few new sets of pajamas, fondly known as day pajamas and night pajamas. The Target Pajama selection is expansive and they are so comfortable! I did not want to purchase clothes I would not wear and during that first couple of months, I rarely left the house.
Whenever I had a Zoom meeting, I exchanged my pajama top for a blouse because no one would be the wiser.
Comfy, but make it chic
At some point, I began to crave something a bit more versatile for those days when I do leave to run errands. I am not going anywhere in my Target pajamas, so when loungewear popped up everywhere I purchased a set.
Sitting around the house in a loungewear set feels luxurious, and if I want to go for a walk or answer the door, I feel put together. Also, changing from pajamas to loungewear takes me out of the cozy home vibe and helps me transition my mind to work. In the evening when I switch back, I am sending signals to myself that it’s time to unwind.
I actually found my first comfortable yet chic loungewear set via Jenee from Highlowluxxe, and took styling cues from her as well.
The key here is to find a set that is figure flattering, but not tight. I looked for sets with high waist pants and either a cropped top or fitted top. I also prefer to be able to purchase the top and bottom as separates because I prefer a larger bottom size than the top.
Shopping for The Best Loungewear Set
Designer for The Win?
The top sports brands have been producing loungewear sets for years, including Nike, Champion, Adidas, and more. Many of the fast-fashion houses have also produced a few options every year for people who live to style their favorite sneakers with cute joggers.
Matter of fact, this chocolate set from Zara is everything! However, fashion houses have not typically embraced loungewear.
With social distancing, all of that has changed.
Now, every brand has at least a few options for loungewear. However, in the past, I have not been a fan of spending lots of money on loungewear. The one “designer” set I purchased was from Calvin Klein, and though it is comfortable, I wouldn’t say it is better than the cheaper options I will list.
Nonetheless, Designer brands are not to be slept on for a fashion forward loungewear set. I find the more unique color options from designer brands and more variation in cut.
In fact, for me, I turn to top sports brands for designer loungewear. I am partial to the fit and cut of this Nike set, as well as Adidas. Both brands offer fashion-forward styles that are cut to flatter and have a unique look for a more street vibe.
Of all the sets I purchased, the designer sets tend to hold up best to washing and do not wrinkle as easily.
Don’t Sleep On Target
Recently, I was on the hunt for a cute black loungewear set, and after trying a few stores, I landed in Target. The options in Target are on point.
Target offers a more comfy variety of loungewear, which is great for sitting at home and then walking out the door to run errands. The Wild Fable collection is geared toward teens, but if you can find sizing for yourself, the collection offers a good variety in colors and cut.
I am partial to the look of the cropped hoody and comfy joggers from the collection.
However, the All In Motion collection from the women’s section is also a favorite. The All In Motion collection is more fitted, so I purchase bottoms two sizes up and the top one size up.
My favorite collection in the women’s section comes from Joy Lab. The bottoms have a looser fit and a thicker material. Plus, they are so soft and plush! They have been the perfect set for our 50 to 70-degree weather here in Atlanta.
The price of these Target sets vary, but I haven’t spent more than $30 on any one piece. Usually, I can find a set on sale or originally low priced that fits my needs.
Luxury Loungewear from Black-Owned Brands
I’m loving the loungewear trend so much, that I decided to add a few sets to my capsule wardrobe. As I stated in a previous post, I am focusing on sustainable and/or Black-owned brands to fill my capsule!
Luckily there are several options to choose from!
When I stumbled upon Fancy Homebody, I loved the brand name as well as the variety of options. There are shorts sets, pant sets, and even dresses in varying fabrics with a focus on elevated loungewear.
The company is small, so the sets are offered on a first come first serve basis and dropped once a month. I snagged a camo, Weekender’ set during the last drop, and it lives up to advertising.
I have yet to wash my set, but the material is comfy yet lightweight, and the cut is very feminine. The medium set fit me well, but I could have easily gone down in size and been fine. The bottoms are fitted and the top is loose, so sizing down will ensure my top isn’t too big for my frame.
Fancy Homebody provides luxe yet on trend loungewear, but Local European is just luxury.
Local European is a Black-owned business that sells sustainable fashion. This means that because the materials used to create pieces are sustainably sourced, once an item is sold out, the item may not restock. However, it is worth the wait!
The cut of their loungewear is to die for, and did I mention that the items are sustainably sourced? Couple that with the material and you have comfy chic loungewear from a Black-owned business.
Now Accessorize
When transitioning any of these sets from home to running errands, I focus on styling. Instead of throwing on shoes and walking out the door, I tend to add simple earrings and a simple face. For earrings, I usually throw on either my pearl studs or small hoops.
The vibe I go for is effortless, and simple jewelry gives the appearance of simplicity.
Then, to show that my clothing choice was not an afterthought, I put on a bit of makeup. At a bare minimum, I use foundation, concealer, mascara, blush, and a matte lip. At this time, I am really feeling a more frosted chocolate matte lip. The pairing screams sex appeal and the contrast of the loungewear set with the lip is just the trick.
I always pair my loungewear sets with either my favorite J Crew Mules or a pair of sneakers. Lately, I’ve been on an Air Force 1 and Converse kick ?. However, a pair of Pumas will also work well with the outfit.
Loungewear, But Elevated
This Pandemic is not going anywhere for a bit, so I live in pajamas and loungewear. Also, since it is getting colder, I want to finally purchase a trench coat for my capsule wardrobe. Pairing a trench with loungewear is perfect for adding a bit of warmth while also elevating the overall look.
I also plan to add a thin gold necklace set and bracelet to my collection as part of my capsule. Adding a set of thin gold necklaces with a sweatshirt that doesn’t have a hood adds a bit more of a sophisticated touch to any loungewear set. In a similar vein, pairing a thin gold bracelet with loungewear styled with rolled-up sleeves is a simple detail that elevates the look.
As we move into 2021, I am focused on beefing up the accessories in my capsule collection. Since I still spend the majority of my life working from home, I will purchase a few warmer loungewear sets for home in case we are still social distancing inside come Spring.
