Sustainable loungewear wish list.

If you're anything like me, you spent a whole lot of 2020 in your PJs. I have always been a big pyjama girl so when I was furloughed or working from home, getting dressed felt like such a chore. Putting a dress on just to sit on Zoom all day wasn't what I fancied doing, and when I started my teacher training in September, it was a real shock to the system having to pull together "work-appropriate" outfits.

Loungewear co-ords started springing up on social media the second lockdown hit, and I get why they were (and still are) so popular. I love the matchy-matchy aesthetic, the cosiness and the fact you feel like you made a bit of an effort because they're essentially posh pyjamas. However, I had a drawer stuffed full of comfies; the years-old Christmas PJ bottoms, multitudes of beer festival t-shirts, bleach stained sweatpants and jumpers I didn't like enough to wear outside but just couldn't part with. It seemed wasteful to buy into the trend just because I liked how it looked on Instagram (and ultimately get rid of what I already had). Also, so many of the sets I had seen and liked were made by awful, fast fashion retailers. Every time I found myself tempted, I checked the tagged products and it was all Boohoo, Shein, Nasty Gal and Pretty Little Thing.

And so I stuck with what I had.

I have mentioned Jessica-Rose Williams in a post already this year (I'm a big fan). Her YouTube channel is fast becoming my go-to when I'm enjoying my morning coffee. In her video A Minimalist Loungewear Capsule Wardrobe Tour, Jessica talks so much sense about feeling stylish even when we're home alone. The same rules that she applies to her everyday capsule wardrobe apply to her loungewear, and it works so well. She makes a great point about how we demote clothes we don't like any more, or are tatty and stained, to the loungewear drawer. I am SO guilty of doing this, and over Christmas (as we were spending 90% of our time in the house) I got to thinking about whether I actually felt good in what I was wearing. Most of the time, the answer was no. 

So, this year I am going to be adding things I actually love to my lounge and sleep wardrobe. I tried to make a start with a couple of Depop/Vinted purchases - the cream jumper and grey Calvin Klein leggings, and my fluffy slippers. The clothes arrived and didn't exactly set my heart on fire; they're a bit nicer than what I currently wear to slop around the house in, but the condition isn't as great as the sellers had me believe. The slippers are lovely and are brand new, albeit from a fast-fashion brand. I bought them despite of this, because it was after Christmas and all of the sustainable slippers were sold out, plus they are technically still second-hand. My plan is to wear these to death and then get ahead of the game next Christmas (watch out for a post later in the year on some dreamy, planet friendly, vegan slippers).

While I don't buy many things brand new anymore, I think loungewear is going to be an exception. Depop is full of the cheap co-ords from the brands I mentioned earlier, so I've all but given up on that avenue. Plus, there are some really beautiful British/European brands making sustainable, stylish loungewear. A lot of these brands came to my attention through sponsored posts on Instagram, and for once I'm not mad about it. These are the pieces I have my eye on right now...

Nicola Walker

These beautiful, 100% cotton waffle separates are handmade in Gloucestershire by Nicola of Walker and Walker. I was seconds away from hitting the checkout button on the mauve Josie jumper and matching trousers, when I noticed that their new collection is launching later this month. I can't risk buyer's remorse, so I need to wait and see what else they have up their sleeves before I make any decisions!
Josie Jumper £58 / Trousers £65

Noctu

I clearly have a thing for pink pyjamas. I love this soft pink, GOTS certified organic cotton set from Noctu. Their palette is pared back, their designs are simple yet beautiful and their loungewear is made in England which I LOVE. I can see myself buying the Mayar button down shirt in chalk for the summer, too.
Luna Cosy Top £38 / Aku Harems £45

Yawn

The Curl Up PJs from British brand Yawn are so adorable! Yawn are currently still founder owned (independent), they use GOTS certified organic cotton twill and their prints are all designed with cute hidden details for the wearer to find (this design has a little hedgehog hidden away somewhere). They also have a nightshirt in this gorgeous design!

Curl Up Pyjamas £89

Reformation

I love this colour (butterscotch) that Reformation have used on the Marla sweatshirt and Rocky Sweatpants. This set is 100% organic cotton and made in Turkey, and Reformation detail the environmental impact of their products on their website. Realistically, because they are hand wash only, I can't see myself buying them... BUT they are gorgeous, and I would certainly consider it if I could bung them in the washing machine.

Marla Sweatshirt £84 / Rocky Sweatpants £74

Once I've made my mind up and committed (not easy when they are all so beautiful, not to mention more expensive than most of my clothes that other people actually see), I will of course post about them!

Happy lounging,

Jen xo