Fashion statements are, for the most part, meant to be seen. Daytime โdress-upโ transmits multiple signals over who we are, what weโre like and where we might be going, literally and figuratively. Flip and reverse it: What we wear to bed is a much more private affair. This is our wind-down time, away from prying eyes (save for maybe a partner), where we shed ourselves of expectation. As a by-product of this, our between-the-sheets wardrobe oft stays the same for years. Happily, oblivious to trends.
There is a special kind of joy in punctuating the end of a day by getting changed into sleepwear; whether pulling on a pair of pyjamas, an exโs stupendously soft T-shirt or a cotton nightie. The pressure to โdress for the job you wantโ is void. Your job here, my friend, is to be as comfortable as possible. Simple.
Thatโs not to say that our nightwear should be less considered than our daywear. They should carry equal importance. Perhaps the former even more so, now, with many of us confined to our homes and a good nightโs sleep a small win. โPeople are seeing how important their bed is for them in their life,โ says Charlie Hedin, founder and creative director of cult home-leisure label Tekla Fabrics (aka, the brand behind the most Instagrammable bath robes ever. Next up: launching a unisex PJ range in May). โGoing to bed and having breakfast in nice sleepwear can enhance your life. It adds another texture to those everyday things you do. Perhaps in a more obvious way now than before.โ
โGOING TO BED AND HAVING BREAKFAST IN NICE SLEEPWEAR CAN ENHANCE YOUR LIFE. IT ADDS ANOTHER TEXTURE TO THOSE EVERYDAY THINGS YOU DOโ

Ellen Grace, 28, an art curator based in Edinburgh says sheโs found solace in putting on nightwear that is extremely comfortable, whilst also bringing to mind a two-piece-suit. An oddly reassuring mix in these uncertain times. โA sizeable portion of my wardrobe is dedicated to matching pyjamas sets,โ she says. โI started amassing co-ordinated pyjamas at an unhealthy rate a few years ago. At the time, I was spending my evenings watching House of Cards, a show in which the fictional First Lady, Claire Underwood (played by Robin Wright) displays the most enviable, effortless and chic approach to nightwear. She was a woman on top; somebody ruthlessly pulling all the strings, the ultimate Machiavellian, and her matching jim-jams fell nothing short.”
Irrespective of her morals – or lack thereof – Claire understood that dressing well extends far beyond the boardroom. Some of her most scene-stealing sartorial moments are arguably within the comfort of her own bedroom. Ellen says: โClad in perfectly tailored silk separates, โbedroom Claireโ showed it was possible to look steely, seductive and feminine from wearing an item, which (up until then) had not only been most strongly associated with the Banana Men but was also one I could purchase from M&S. Pyjamas are luxurious without being time-consuming; sensual yet not overt. And I couldnโt think of a better item of clothing to be wearing right now.โ

โWhat we wear at home and to sleep is an extension of our wardrobe and ourselves,โ agrees Heather Gramston, head of womenswear buying at Browns Fashion. โQuality, fit, fabric and sustainability are just as important a consideration as with any other item of clothing. A Versace Baroque print robe over black satin pyjamas from La Perla is a personal sleepwear favourite.โ
Naturally, everyone will be a bit different when it comes to their 10-6 wardrobe (of course, one can only dream of such an optimistic sleep schedule, but weโll keep trying nonetheless). Perhaps you veer towards an oversized night-shirt to channel your inner rich French woman? Prints galore? Or a vintage-style white nightie? Oh wait, do they like to go by the name of nightdresses now? (FYI: if the latter is your bag, look no further than Pour Les Femmes. A minimalistโs treasure trove). Then thereโs two-piece pyjama sets which imbue a whimsical air of Hollywoodโs leading femme fatales: louche-but-also-dapper. But itโs not the only chic option.
โCLAIRE UNDERWOOD UNDERSTOOD THAT DRESSING WELL EXTENDS FAR BEYOND THE BOARDROOMโ

Enter: good, old-fashioned, staying-at-home-with-your-boyfriend’s-family-for-the-first-time cotton pyjamas. โI find cotton the most comfortable to sleep in, so 100% cotton was always the only option when it came to choosing the fabric,โ says Barbara McMillan, style editor and founder of sleepwear brand Honna London. โItโs comfy and breathable, so can be worn all year round. And crucially, they can be thrown in the wash.โ
The aim of the brand has always been to create classic striped styles, made in a family-run factory, to last. Barbaraโs love of sleepwear harks back to her childhood, where she would swap her school uniform for sleepwear as soon as possible. Cut scene to adulthood: after making the move to freelance and working mostly from home, separating her daywear from eveningwear became even more important in order to enable her to properly switch off (โthe moment Iโd step away from emails and change into pyjamas Iโd instantly relax,โ she says.)

โGETTING READY FOR BED IS ABSOLUTELY A FORM OF SELF-CAREโ
However, her PJ stash often felt a little too premium for everyday wear, or the shape, fabric and print just wasnโt 100 percent. And so, Honna London was born: โI really wanted an oversized pair of striped pyjamas that were chic, comfy and also flattering.โ
โGetting ready for bed is absolutely a form of self-care,โ McMillan stresses. โWe spend so much of our time working or on our phones, so life often feels very hectic. And, as so many of us can work flexibly now, we can always feel โonโ. Even at home. Good sleepwear can be an instant mood-lifter, especially if youโve had a stressful day. Itโs these little daily luxuries and small forms of enjoyment at home that can make a big difference to our lives.โ
BURO.LOVES
ITโS A WRAP
NIGHTIE NIGHT
SMOOTH OPERATOR
CREATURE COMFORTS
First published on Buro247.com.
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