Keep cosy and carry on: Stylish loungewear to keep you warm during lockdown, the sequel

Staying in has never looked so good, writes Sarah Young

(Cos/Olivia Von Halle/ Ganni)

With lockdown version 2.0 underway, chances are you’ve already had a last-minute trip to the hair salon and stocked up on day-to-day essentials – like chocolate, wine and jigsaw puzzles. But, is your wardrobe just as well-equipped to get you through round two?

The first lockdown stint, which began on 23 March, radically altered the way we dress, making our fancy tops and collared shirts seemingly defunct overnight as we were asked to stay home as much as possible.

Just as quickly as staying in became the new going out, dressing down became the new dressing up, and so, our obsession with loungewear began.

While it has always been a popular choice among homebodies, loungewear saw a widespread resurgence earlier this year with retailers such as Vestiaire and Net-A-Porter reporting an increase in sales for the category of up to 70 per cent, while ASOS experienced a 329 per cent rise in annual profits, much of which was largely due to demand for casual clothing during lockdown.

Of all our strange quarantine purchases – and trust us, there were many – it was stylish loungewear that proved to be the most worthwhile investment but, as we enter another four weeks of staying in, will our trouser suits be swapped for sweatpants once more?

While some enjoyed a brief return to smarter clothes when offices began to reopen in September, the new lockdown ensures that staying-at-home style is set to prevail this winter. But, unlike the first, when we stocked up on easy, breezy linen co-ords and “short shorts”, this time our attention is turning to a wardrobe that will help to keep the chill at bay.

As the nights get longer and inevitably colder, there’s nothing like a feather-trimmed co-ord, cashmere jumper or fleece-lined tracksuit to lift the spirits, all while ensuring you look video-call appropriate.

From easy-to-wear basics you can wear for cosy evenings in front of the television to patterned pyjamas that are so chic you can wear them outdoors as well as in, here’s our pick of the best luxury loungewear that promise to make the next four weeks that little bit more fabulous.

Trendy tracksuits

(Ganni)

It’s official: tracksuits are no longer just for exercising in – just ask Hailey Bieber, Emily Ratajkowski and Bella Hadid, who are just a handful of stylish A-listers that refuse to confine their sweats to the gym.

In order to make the cut in your working from home wardrobe, no ordinary one will do. The best tracksuits are both comfortable and chic, and thanks to a decadent shift in the loungewear market, finding versions that do both in equal measures has never been easier.

It’s great timing for Danish brand Ganni, which recently dropped its first leisurewear collection, called Software. Made from certified recycled and responsibly sourced materials, the 11-piece range includes hoodies, T-shirts, sweatshirts and tracksuit bottoms in a palette of timeless shades like black, grey and off-white, with hazel and lilac also due to join the line-up in the coming weeks. Our top pick is the Isoli Oversized Hoodie (£145), which can be paired with the matching Isoli Pants (£125) to help you master tonal dressing.

The high street is following suit too, with brands like H&M, & Other Stories and ASOS delivering stylish tracksuits at accessible prices. Wear yours layered under an oversized trench coat or trusty puffer for brisk morning walks.

The knitted co-ord

(Cos)

Katie Holmes sent fashion fans into a frenzy last November when she stepped out sporting a cashmere knitted bralette and matching cardigan combination. According to global fashion search platform Lyst, searches for Khaite, the US brand behind the actor’s viral cardi, skyrocketed by 217 per cent after the “sexigan” photograph began circulating on social media.

But, if you can’t quite stretch to that exact £1,500 two-piece, there are plenty of other purse-friendly versions on offer, including this crop top (£9.99) and cardigan (£17.99) from Zara.

If it’s genuine cashmere you are after, the high street can help here too. While, the concept of affordable cashmere might have once been considered an oxymoron, in recent years fashion brands have pushed forward to deliver quality knits at great prices.

The White Company, Marks & Spencer and Arket are among our go-to brands for super-soft cashmere co-ords, while Cos deals almost exclusively in the look, offering everything from sweater vests and cardigans to cropped jumpers that are as timeless and elegant as they are cosy. The brand’s Recycled Cashmere Wide-Leg Trousers (£150) team perfectly with this matching hoodie (£150) for a comfortable way to dress up while chilling out.

Pyjama party

(Olivia von Halle)

This year’s Christmas party season is regrettably cancelled, taking the sumptuous velvet gowns and embellished handbags we love so much about the festivities with it. But, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t get all dressed up, even if you have nowhere to go.

The winter months are some of the best for flexing your flamboyant muscles but with office shindigs off the agenda, splurging on a sparkly cocktail dress might seem like the wisest investment. The solution here is to pick up a party-worthy pair of pyjamas instead.

Note: these aren’t the sort of well-worn jammies that have languished in your wardrobe since your uni days, but super-luxe versions that come trimmed with feathers, decorated with exotic prints and can be paired with platform heels should the need arise.

A top-to-toe matching set is the new must-have, and feather-trimmed versions from Sleeper and Gilda & Pearl look so stylish they’re good enough to go for dinner in – when restaurants re-open that is. Our go-to set is Sleeper’s Black Tie (£262), which includes a relaxed-fit top complete with handy pockets and wide-leg trousers finished with fluffy plumage. If you’re on the hunt for a more affordable pair, try out this premium satin set from ASOS, which comes decorated with tassel fringe hems.

Meanwhile, print lovers should look to brands like Yolke, Olivia Von Halle and Desmond & Dempsey, all of which turn the concept of traditional sleepwear on its sartorial head.