How to Create a Lounge Capsule Wardrobe You'll Love
As we begin another season of staying (mostly) at home, I’m looking to step up my loungewear game and really enjoy my cozy-at-home outfits. Being stuck inside doesn’t mean we’re also stuck with boring sweatpants!
A cozy and chic loungewear capsule wardrobe is my solution, bien sûr. Design your own capsule using my free guide and indulge a little in what you’ll wear to impress your cat (just me?) or fellow Zoom attendees these next few months.
I always like to begin by looking at everything I already have, taking note of what I love and wear the most, and then filling in any gaps to make the collection feel complete.
Stay-at-Home Cozy Capsule Wardrobe
1 / 2 / 3 / 4 / 5 / 6 / 7 / 8 / 9 / 10 / 11 / 12
& 4. The Lounge Set
A matched set is like a school uniform: you can throw it on without a thought, and it looks intentional. These should be soft and cozy and completely un-fussy, ready to mix and match with everything else.
This ribbed set looks lovely, and this one is similar for less - and gifting-ready. If you’re feeling a bit more maximalist, I love these ‘size-less’ printed pajamas or these ink-blotted ones.
The Fun Tee
I know that the basic white tee has many ardent supporters, but I find it rather meh. I need something going on - a pattern (never too many stripes!), a crop, a cheeky printed message. If you’re team neutrals, this tee has great reviews.
A Pullover
Similar to a fun tee, but warmer. My sweatshirt collection has grown by 200% this year (i.e. from one to three, haha!), and I love this one from Clare V. They’re more casual (and easily washable) than a pullover sweater, and I’m happy to wear one throughout computer work, a virtual yoga class, out for a walk. My other two sweatshirts are from Sézane and Lingua Franca. However, this Cuyana option is almost certainly the classiest sweatshirt on the internet!
The Lounge Set
See No. 1 above! 😉
Fun Pants
Wild guess: this is what your loungewear drawer is missing. To me, fun pants must be wide-leg, and these butterscotch-colored ones are my favorite new find. The first review says they make you feel like a “rich divorced woman” who “swishes through the house with a glass of wine.” A full mood. And holidays-at-home perfection if you ask me!
For my neutral-color loyalists, these organic pima pants by Lunya look deliciously soft, wonderfully long (why all the cropping these days?), aaaaand they have pockets!
The Nap Dress
You know what’s more comfortable than pants? No pants. House dresses and nightgowns of decades past have come together to create the nap dress. This dotted option by Sleeper is equally suited to a literal nap, a zoom meeting, a run to the coffee shop. It’s no wonder these were already popular with stylish new moms in their own stay-at-home season.
Hill House Home coined the term Nap Dress, and they keep releasing new patterns and styles every season - complete with matching headbands and hair bows if you’re looking for a real ‘outfit’ feeling. For some more coziness, top it off with….
An Oversized Cardigan
It cannot be denied that layering is both so fashion and so cozy. I love an oversized belted cardigan because it can often play the parts of blanket, robe, jacket, and sweater - a capsule wardrobe dream. This long, open cardigan is super soft, and this chunky belted knit has some serious Marilyn-Monroe-on-Santa-Monica-Beach vibes.
Cozy Bed Socks
While all my shoes languish in the closet, my collection of cozy socks is getting more wear than ever. These Cloud Socks from Brother Vellies are probably the best on the market. They’re light, cozy, and come in a rainbow of colors that seem to pop in and out of stock.
I’m also a fan of J. Crew’s camp socks, and just picked these up on sale in green and blue. If you want to get really luxe about this, go for cashmere. A little calming ritual I like is to rub some lavender oil + skin dope (or lotion) on the soles of my feet, pull on a fresh pair of cozy socks, and go to bed. You know you need a calming ritual about now.
A Sleep Mask
Pandemic or non, I own at least 3 of these at all times. At this point, my mind knows that when the mask covers my eyes there’s nothing left to do but sleep. This one from Hill House Home is my #1 - the fabric is delicious, the fit is snug but comfortable, the gentle padding blocks out all the light. There are other embroidery options, too!
A Robe
What’s both more chic and more comfy than sweatpants? A robe - preferably ankle length with a good pattern for extra flair. Layer it over your lounge set for an instant look, or slip it on after a shower and conveniently forget to change.
This robe by Olivia von Halle is perhaps the luxe-est one around. I have an older version of this striped robe that I love (pockets!). And here’s a classic, cozy option for my #NeutralsOrNothing enthusiasts.
Delicious Slippers
Almost shoes, but still not shoes. I’ve been eyeing this insanely cozy-looking pair by Jenni Kayne for a while, and now may just be the time to go for it. There’s a matching baby pair, too!
For something that’s a bit less cuddly but decidedly more stylish, try this shearling slide, Birdies’ newest faux-fur-lined release, or a colorful babouche mule (from my favorite shop in Savannah).
A Hot Water Bottle
My fellow Americans, let’s bring these back! Somewhere along the way, we replaced hot water bottles with bags full of microwaved raw rice (????) and became afraid that using hot water would scald us. Fear not; buy a hot water bottle - cozy cover strongly recommended.
Tuck it into the foot of your bed while you give your winter skin some extra care, and your bed will suddenly be a hundred times cozier. Use it on cramps and sore muscles, too - the heat lasts for hours. Just follow the instructions to assuage your burn/spill fears, and embrace the coziness. This velvet option is 100% gift-worthy!
this post includes affiliate links, which contribute toward my oat-milk cappuccino fund at no extra cost to you. thank you!
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