Loungewear vs. Sleepwear: What's the Difference?
Over the past year, loungewear has been all of the hype. Chances are, you’ve added a few loungewear pieces to your wardrobe essentials without even noticing. If you haven’t been able to tell the difference between the two, we’ll break it down for you. In simple terms, loungewear should be worn during the day at home or when running quick errands. Sleepwear on the other hand should only be worn at bedtime, hence the term “sleep” in sleepwear. If you’re wondering how to keep the two separate, we’ve got you covered.
Women’s loungewear
For women, you have a variety of choices. For instance, during the warmer months lounge dresses are the perfect essentials for lounging at home. Not only do they allow you to feel ready for the day, they’re the perfect comfy piece to wear with minimal effort. And because they make you look good, you’ll end up feeling good, too. They make you feel more productive as you get through your workload or spend the day running a few quick errands. Lounge dresses come in different cuts and styles, which means there’s something for every style and comfort level.
When it comes to separates, pieces such as comfy cotton shirts are a must for any type of weather as they allow you to layer as much as you need. For example, on a rainy or chilly day you can layer a cotton top with a sweater or cardigan. Paired with comfy casual pants, your loungewear outfit is complete for a cozy day at home that allows you to look put together, especially for those unexpected Zoom meetings.
Sleepwear
After a long day of lounging, we can all agree that you will be ready to call it a night come bedtime. That is where comfy pajamas come in. Yes, technically you can sleep in loungewear but pajamas are specifically made, from the cut to the material and the style, to help you get a better night’s rest. The right type of sleepwear will allow you to toss and turn at night without having to rearrange your pajamas. However, just because they are pajamas doesn’t mean you can’t be stylish for bed too. From silk sets to camisoles, lace nightgowns and flannel sets, you can sleep in style without sacrificing comfort or a good night’s sleep.
Men’s loungewear
Don’t worry, men, you also have a variety of styles to choose from when it comes to relaxing loungewear. With more employees allowed to work from home, we’re betting that you have already started your collection of men’s lounge pants and tops. For men, the best way to feel and look like you’re put together is by wearing a matching set. Whether it’s sweats and a sweater in the same color or print during cooler days, or a matching top and shorts set during the summer, it definitely beats your old college T-shirt and sweats, which screams that you just rolled out of bed. Some have expressed how lazy sweatpants make them feel. If you feel the same, then you may want to try other styles of lounge pants such as jogger pants. Jogger pants aren’t as baggy, and at one point a few years ago were considered streetwear among the most stylish of men. When it comes to tops, stay away from baggy T-shirts. Yes, it is considered loungewear but if you want to look fashionable wearing loungewear then you should choose tops that are fitted. If you love wearing men’s sweatshirts because they’re so comfortable, you can still do so just be sure that it doesn’t look like you’re drowning in it.
Men’s Sleepwear
You may like sleeping in the same sweats, shorts and T-shirts that you lounge in. However, it is important to change from your day clothes to your night clothes even if you haven’t left home. The reason is that your brain sends signals to your body and certain routines must be done so that your body and brain can both agree on what time it is. For example, when you change into your sleepwear, your body is telling your brain that it is now bedtime. Once your brain acknowledges that, it starts to help your body relax and unwind. If you’re a dad then you know your little ones need a bedtime routine to help them calm down and eventually doze off. Adults are no different. For the best sleep, make sure to dress in what you are most comfortable in during your sleep time.
Now that we have discussed the difference between the two, you can make better decisions when shopping for each. Just like you would keep your outside clothes separate from your sleepwear, try to do the same for your loungewear. It may be a little confusing at first but it will feel so much better having two separate wardrobes even when you don’t plan on leaving your house.