House & Habit

Rooms worth lingering in, tables worth gathering around.

Style

The loungewear set you can open the door in

Matching sets are the uniform of cozy season. Here is how to choose one that looks good long past breakfast.

By Vallari Gadre. , 4 min read

A sage green rib knit loungewear set folded on a bed beside a mug of coffee and sherpa slippers

This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

There is a difference between clothes you hide in and clothes you live in. The old college sweatpants with the faded logo are the first kind. A good loungewear set is the second: soft enough for a slow Sunday on the couch, polished enough that you do not panic when a neighbor knocks or a delivery needs a signature.

Matching sets have become the uniform of cozy season for a simple reason. When the top and bottom match, the outfit reads as intentional, even if the fabric is as soft as pajamas. Fashion editors are also tracking a shift in shape: wide-leg sweatpants are replacing tight joggers, and ribbed knits and one-piece lounge styles are everywhere.

Here is how to choose a set that earns its place in your week.

Fabric decides everything

The single biggest difference between a set that looks elevated and one that looks sloppy is the fabric. Each one does a different job.

Rib knit

Rib knit has vertical texture that holds its shape, skims the body and looks deliberate. It is the most polished loungewear fabric, the one most likely to pass as an outfit. The ANRABESS ribbed knit lounge set pairs a long-sleeve button top with matching pants, so it works as pajamas and as a relaxed weekend outfit.

Waffle knit

Waffle knit has a soft, grid-like texture that traps warmth without weight. It looks cozy in the best way and photographs beautifully. The PrinStory waffle knit lounge set has pockets, which is the detail you did not know you needed, and the oatmeal shade is a perfect fall neutral. For a softer, sleepier version, the Ekouaer waffle knit pajama set is a favorite for long weekend mornings.

Sweater knit

A true sweater set, with a knit pullover or cardigan and matching wide-leg pants, is the dressiest kind of loungewear. It can go straight from the couch to a casual brunch. The PRETTYGARDEN knit lounge set in beige looks soft and expensive.

Fleece

Fleece is the warmest option, best for colder evenings, snow days and anyone who is always cold. Look for a crewneck and wide-leg pant shape to keep it modern rather than gym-like. The Flygo fleece sweatsuit set pairs a crewneck pullover with wide-leg sweatpants.

Modal

Modal is a silky, drapey fabric made from beech wood fibers. It is cool to the touch, very soft and perfect for anyone who runs warm at night. A modal pajama set with wide-leg pants is a lovely in-between option for fall nights before the heating goes on.

Skip: thin, cheap jersey that pills after two washes or stretches out at the knees. It never looks good past the first week.

Pick a grown-up color

Color is the second thing that separates elevated from sloppy.

The safest choices: oatmeal, heather gray, sage, chocolate, navy and black. A matching set in any of these reads as an outfit.

For a little personality: dusty rose, deep plum, olive or a warm camel. These still feel sophisticated and photograph beautifully.

Avoid: loud prints and bright brights if you want the set to work beyond the house. Keep those for pajamas you only wear to bed.

Get the fit right

The top should be relaxed but not drowning you. A slightly cropped or boxy length looks great with high-waisted pants; a longer length works with a straight leg.

The pants matter most. Wide-leg pants that skim the floor in slippers look elevated. Straight legs are a close second. Cuffed joggers read more casual and athletic.

The waist should be soft and comfortable but stay put. A drawstring helps.

Size up if you are between sizes in knitwear. Loungewear should feel easy, and knits can shrink slightly in the wash.

Style it beyond the couch

A good set should work harder than pajamas. Some ideas:

  • For errands: add a long wool coat, white sneakers and small gold hoops. The coat turns the whole look into an outfit.
  • For a casual brunch at home: wear the set with gold jewelry, a slick bun and a pair of loafers.
  • Split it up: wear the knit top with jeans on a busy day, or the pants with a fitted tee and a denim jacket.
  • For travel: a matching set is the most comfortable airport outfit there is. Layer a cardigan over the top.

Slippers that complete the look

Bare feet on cold floors ruin the cozy mood. A pair of closed, memory foam slippers keeps your feet warm and adds to the put-together feel. The EverFoams memory foam slippers are lightweight and cushioned for all-day wear around the house.

Keep knits looking new

Loungewear gets worn and washed constantly, so a little care goes a long way.

  1. Wash inside out on cold. It protects the surface of the fabric and keeps colors from fading.
  2. Use mesh laundry bags. They stop knits from stretching and snagging on zippers in the wash. A set of mesh laundry bags for delicates comes in several sizes.
  3. Lay flat to dry. Hanging wet knits stretches the shoulders and lengthens the hems.
  4. Shave the pills. Every knit eventually pills where it rubs. A Conair rechargeable fabric shaver removes them in seconds and makes an old set look new again.

Shop the edit

Prices change often, so check the current price and size chart on Amazon before you buy.

Keep reading

The Sunday table

One short letter a week: the newest posts, a seasonal idea worth stealing, and the few finds we actually loved.