I HAVE memories of my mother receiving gifts from my dad of elaborately packaged, tissue-filled boxes enclosing filmy layers of lacy silk nightgowns and satin robes. Impossibly beautiful confections.
Fast-forward to 2018 and my usual bedtime attire of a cozy, oversize T-shirt and comfy flannel pajama bottoms in which I’ve also been known to spend the day, or at least a portion of it. Although lately I’ve been inclined to up my game, to indulge in well-made pajamas as a treat to moi. A visit to an underwear exhibit at Pittsburgh’s Frick Museum last fall that showed fluidly elegant pajama playsuits from the 1920s and a fab 1930s ostrich-feathered bed jacket further inspired me.
When the idea of women’s sleepwear as outerwear emerged as a trend on spring runways in 2016, I was ambivalent and still am. But the result seems to be that a whole new crop of designers are turning their talent to the sleep scene. So, if you’re looking to perk up your own bedtime/lounging wardrobe, there’s an abundance of women’s sleepwear options, whatever your style or price range.
Printed motifs of animals and birds adorn the dramatic women’s sleepwear from F.R.S., For Restless Sleepers (also the monogram for the label’s designer Francesa Ruffini.) New-York based label Morgan Lane offers playful and glamorous women’s sleepwear like lace-trimmed silk pajama tops and matching pants. Other names to know in this you-deserve-a-splurge category include Olivia von Halle, Asceno, Sleeper and Fleur du Mal.
Although better known for its lingerie, Cosabella has a wallet-friendly women’s sleepwear selection of tops, pants, shorts and robes. Eberjey’s signature is soft comfy fabrics, combined with simple but still sexy silhouettes in pastels and prints. At Sleepy Jones, think playful prints and roomy silhouettes. Look to Naked and Recliner for sporty and practical.
—Janet Kelly
Zen Moon Pajama Set pairs mandarin-collar and wide-sleeve shirt with comfy, elasticized-waist, cropped-leg pants. Lounge in all day and wear to bed at night. $180, Sukuhome.com.
Wear Sleeper’s bias-cut silk slip dress with tiny pearl-shaped buttons for a romantic evening at home or a rendezvous beyond the bedroom. $390, the-sleeper.com.
Go for bold bedtime elegance in Olivia von Halle’s Mini Apollo silk kimono robe. $495, Oliviavonhalle.com.
If you dare, wear Fleur du Mal’s rose lace sexy slip dress out or save for a seductive nighttime look chez toi. $465, Fleurdumal.com.
Eberjey’s supersoft and stylish shorty pajamas, cut from stretch modal and trimmed in sheer lace, will add a little romance to your bedtime routine. $111 at Nordstrom.com.
If you need to leap from bed to errands, no one will be the wiser if you’re wearing Naked’s Luxe Tank PJ set with racer-back tank and pants with pockets and elasticized jogger-style cuffs. $110 at Nordstrom.com.
Morgan Lane steel-blue Roxy top in a soft silk charmeuse printed with bees and daisies and trimmed with lace, now $86. Pair with matching Elisa pants, now $107. Both at Shopspring.com.
From designer alumni of Kate Spade comes Sleepy Jones’s Bishop pajama set in pink floral. $178 at Sleepyjones.com.
Recliner’s satin-polyester Damn Fine pajama set is $125. If you prefer to shop them as separates, the top is $65 and wide-leg pants with pockets $65. The pattern spells out “damn fine cup of coffee.” Spend the night and day in them. Recliner.nyc.
Asceno’s patch-pocket, sandwashed-silk navy polka dot pajama shirt says elegance and effortlessness. Add the matching pants for laid-back lounging. Each piece is now $150.50 at Journelle.com.
Maya Check Short Pajama Set with oversized top and adjustable drawstring short in cotton with contrast piping and cuff detail. Also available in lime, light blue and violet. $140 at Marigotcollection.com.
Cosabella’s adorable heart-plaid Margaux robe is reduced from $120.50 to $72.30 at cosabella.com.
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