Learn the ultimate style secrets of loungewear from the most glamorous women in the world

If you love nothing more than leisure, luxury, and marching to the beat of your own drummer, then you might be a disciple of the JOMO lifestyle.

Hugh Hefner may have normalised pajamas and robes as daywear for men, but there’s an entire subculture of women who have been doing it before, during, and after the reign of Hef who we can turn to for style inspiration (and life inspiration, if we’re being honest). These include the elegant Audrey Hepburn as Holly Golightly, the inimitable Joan Collins, and the queen of effortless sophistication Faye Dunaway. Here’s what we think the fashion mavens of yesteryear (and today) would tell us about how to wear pajama sets in public as bona fide ‘looks.’

Silk

‘Liberate yourself from the prison of tight pants, darling.’ If Joan Collins didn’t say this directly, we can certainly imagine her doing so. Joan was often seen in silk and satin, from top-and-bottom pajama sets to peek-a-boo negligees (with a loosely tied robe on top for modesty, of course).

And who can blame her? Silk is the ultimate attention-getting fabric. Its smooth surface and high-shine factor make even the simplest garment into a stunning statement piece. Whether you’re stepping out in billowy silk pants or a floor-length maxi dress, you’ll pull off that rare feat of being both 100% comfortable and the best-dressed person in the room.

Chiffon

That’s not to say that silk should get the entire spotlight. Not at all. Chiffon is also a queenly fabric.

January Jones as Mad Men’s Betty Draper absolutely slayed in her chiffon nighties, although the prim 50s housewife definitely never ventured out in public in them. That is, unless, you count the time she took to the garden to enact a little, ahem, revenge on her neighbor’s birds.

We like to think that the 2021 version of Betty wouldn’t bat an eye about gliding around town in a chiffon pajama set.

Cotton

You may not be used to thinking of cotton as a luxurious, stylish fabric. But we have three words that will instantly change your mind: Breakfast at Tiffany’s. Who could forget Holly Golightly’s iconic sleepwear look consisting of an oversized cotton tuxedo shirt (demurely buttoned up to the collar but with the cuffs absolutely a-flutter) set off by a satin blue mask? This unforgettable outfit is due for a revival in today’s fashion.

You can recreate Holly’s look by simply making a trip to the men’s department of your local clothing store and choosing a buttoned shirt that fits like a nightshirt. To make it look like more of a dress and less of an ‘I forgot my pants’ moment, add a skinny belt around your waist.

Fur and Feather

A well-placed pop of fur or feathers can instantly take loungewear to a new level of luxury and style. A cozy sweatshirt, for example, is transformed from a basic closet staple to a fabulous, eye-catching garment with the addition of fur at the cuffs.

If you’d like a little inspiration for how to rock this look yourself, the standard-bearer for this style of JOMO-wear is the elusive chanteuse herself, Mariah Carey. Mimi is well known for her ability to make sleepwear into fashion with a touch of something special, like a puff of colored feathers on her high heels or a fur collar on a robe. Just remember that when it comes to accents, less is more.

With loungewear being the new chic, there are plenty of brands launching lines of resort wear, pajama sets, and other relaxed-fit clothing. While it’s wonderful to be spoiled for a choice like this, even the most committed fashionista could use a little help sorting through it all. That’s why we’ve collected some of our absolute favorite brands who know how to make loungewear and pajama sets that are runway-worthy.

Accessories are really the secret behind great fashion and can be what takes an outfit from ordinary to out of this world. Not only are they the finishing touches that pull a look together, but when it comes to loungewear, they’re often what make pajama sets look luxurious and fit to wear when you’re out and about. So the next time you’re considering how to wear pajama sets in public, take a look at your entire ensemble, from top to toe, and consider accessories that elevate your look and announce to the world that you have a full-blown case of JOMO.