Comfort or style? The perennial question has plagued wardrobes until the gift of elevated loungewear emerged in post-pandemic street style. As the paradoxical name suggests, elevated loungewear is comfortable clothing you can relax in that’s also worthy of the public eye. And as the lines between work and leisure continue to blur, who has time to change outfits?
Elevated loungewear isn’t just a fancy pair of sweatpants. It can be almost any silhouette, but the key lies in fabrication. Think about your pajamas: What are your favorite materials to sleep in? Cotton, silk, cashmere, and jersey are among the coziest fabrics to build a leisure wardrobe around. The trick is to wear them in more structured silhouettes, like a tailored pair of pants or a well-draped blouse.
Accessories are the secret to making loungewear outfits feel complete. Strappy sandals and statement jewelry add visual intrigue to an otherwise matte palette, making the look suitable for airport travel or brunch with friends. On the flip side, silk or satin loungewear can easily transition to the evening with a kitten heel and a boxy top-handle bag.
Who better to look to for inspiration than celebrities? Street style darlings from Rihanna to Hailey Bieber offer endless ideas for styling the coziest pieces in your wardrobe. Below, browse the chicest ways to wear everything from sports bras to sweatpants, from daytime ease to nights on the town.
Maxi Goes Cozy
DUTCH/Bauer-Griffin//Getty Images
Rihanna’s street style has always been a cool take on casual dressing, largely because she’s never afraid to mix and match unorthodox pieces. And once again, she proves the point, this time taking a tried-and-true maxi skirt and reworking it in cozy knit form for a night-out look. Consider this your cue to start wearing going-out clothes you can actually exhale in.
Mango
Turtleneck Knit Sweater
Eaves
Mae Maxi Knit Skirt
Madewell
The Maycie Asymmetric T-Strap Sandal
Reformation
Estelle EarringsButtoned-Up Neutrals
Gotham//Getty Images
Emily Ratajkowski is practically on the Mount Rushmore of model-off-duty style, frequently spotted around Manhattan, turning the streets into her personal runway. Neutrals run the gamut in loungewear, but her coordinated cream set feels especially bright and fresh thanks to the subtle button detailing.
SNDYS August Button Up Cardigan
Lululemon
Wundermost Ultra-Soft Nulu Scoop-Neck Bralette
SNDYS x Revolve
August Button Pants
All About the Accessories
Jose Perez/Bauer-Griffin//Getty Images
Gigi Hadid elevates loungewear so well that you could probably get away with wearing it to the office. The secret? Accessories. Layered necklaces, stacked bracelets, and the hardware on her handbag add just enough flair to make the all-black base feel incredibly sophisticated.
Quince
Mongolian Cashmere Oversized Boyfriend Cardigan Sweater
Splits59
Raquel High Waist Airweight Flared Legging
Now 33% Off
Jane Win
Keep on Rolling Convertible Lariat Chain
JW Pei
Carmen Top Handle BagThe Statement Sweatsuit
Jason Howard/Bauer-Griffin//Getty Images
Don’t worry, you can still wear your beloved sweatpants and make them feel elevated. Gabrielle Union proves it, stepping out in an emerald-green sweatsuit layered under an ultra-cozy sherpa and leather jacket. The look feels fun and vibrant, standing out from the sea of neutral loungewear.
Petal & Pup Baxter Faux Shearling Lined Jacket
Athleta
Tranquil Waffle Hoodie
Now 37% Off
Athleta
Tranquil Mid Rise Waffle Jogger
First Class Layers
XNY/Star Max//Getty Images
Miranda Kerr’s look is ideal for airport travel for one reason: layers. You never know if a flight will be freezing or stuffy, especially when you’re escaping a wintry city for a tropical destination. For added dimension, try mixing creamy neutrals with rich brown tones across your layers.
L’Academie
By Marianna Kye Wool Coat
Now 20% Off
J.Crew Perfect Cashmere Cardigan
Gap
VintageSoft Baggy Wide-Leg Sweatpants
The Moto Knit
Gotham//Getty Images
You might think cable knit is reserved for wintry nights by the fire, but take a cue from Bella Hadid, and you’ll see it can double as an unexpectedly edgy biker look. The contrast between the soft, brushed knit and slick leather is what makes it click—all while still being undeniably cozy.
Zara
Faux Leather Bomber Jacket
Skims
Sweater Knit Crop Cardigan
Skims
Snow Bunny Straight Leg Pants
Now 50% Off
Vagabond Shoemakers Blanca Leather BootieSatin After Dark
James Devaney//Getty Images
You can absolutely wear satin to a fancy cocktail party—and not only that, you might just be the best-dressed person in the room. Jasmine Tookes proved it, stepping out in a satin set in Manhattan looking like a total beauty. Satin dressing, one of the more approachable ways to tap into the lingerie trend, works so well at night because its high-shine finish means you don’t need much in the way of accessories.
AllSaints
Leslie Satin Short Sleeve Top
Aritzia
Archer Satin Pant
H&M
Kitten-Heeled Pointed SlingbacksRibbed Refinement
Pierre Suu//Getty Images
Calling all lovers of ultimate coziness: Hailey Bieber perfects the velvety, ribbed look in a decadent caramel shade. The cropped pants, intricate sweater detailing, and oversized buttons keep the outfit from feeling heavy, giving it a more structured, geometric edge. Finish it off with gold hoops and horsebit loafers, and you’re ready for your morning coffee run.
Paisie
Wrap Side Tie Knit Jumper
Now 52% Off
Frankies Bikinis x Bella Hadid
Texas Ribbed Knit Pant
Now 73% Off
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