7 shopping editors share their top loungewear picks

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Bye bye, buyer’s remorse. In The Essentials Edit, In The Know’s editors and creators share the favorite basic items they can’t live without. From treasured white tees to favorite face moisturizers, these are the tried-and-true products our editors love — and the items you need to know.

With the rise of social distancing and working from home in recent months, people are no longer wearing button-ups and ties or dresses on the daily. Instead, we’ve collectively swapped out our work wardrobes for loungewear. And isn’t it glorious?

Maybe loungewear to you means cozy sweatpants made for your chilly air-conditioned space. Or maybe it means no pants at all. Regardless, loungewear is the ultimate style trend of 2020. Because if you are spending all dang day at home, you might as well be at your most comfortable.

In The Know shopping editors know the ins and outs of loungewear and have tested countless brands to weed out prime picks. Some of our top choices come from major retailers like Nike and Aerie, but others are from small, independent brands that know how to keep it cozy and casual.

Check out the top loungewear recommendations from shopping editors below. Because even after your workwear comes back into rotation, you’ll want to cozy up in these essentials.

Shop: Outdoor Voices Sunday Shorts, $55

Credit: Outdoor Voices

“Throughout quarantine, I have been living in my Sunday Shorts from Outdoor Voices. While they also do the trick for working out, these shorts make for an uber-comfortable staple that work just as well for lounging around the house as they do for running errands in the neighborhood. The wide elastic drawstring waistband is a key element of these shorts, as are the deep side pockets, one of which has a secret inner pocket to keep small valuables even more secure. After obsessing over my first pair of Sunday Shorts in the Dove colorway, I purchased another pair in Navy. Both work with pretty much anything in my closet.” — Gibson Johns, Host and Producer

Shop: Aerie Sunwashed Hoodie, $34.96 (Orig. $49.95) and Aerie Fleece Cropped Sweatpants, $29.96 (Orig. $39.95)

Credit: Aerie

“I left my apartment to quarantine in my hometown with my parents for what I thought would be two weeks, but my stay quickly turned into two and a half months. Needless to say, I didn’t pack nearly enough clothes, so I’ve happily resorted to living almost exclusively in loungewear — Aerie loungewear, in particular. While I opted for a coordinating set of sweats from the brand, you really can’t go wrong with any of the cozy pieces Aerie has to offer. They are insanely soft, still look new after every wash and are cute enough to run errands in. Plus, they are super affordable, making them a win-win-win-win.” — Julia Webb, Commerce Editor

Shop: Knickey High-Rise Briefs, $13

Credit: Knickey

“Let’s keep it real: Loungewear to me is a pair of undies and a ratty, big T-shirt. If I don’t have to wear pants, I am not wearing pants. That being said, Knickey’s high-rise briefs are my go-to lounge-around-the-house undies. They are super comfortable, responsibly made and provide a good amount of coverage for no-pants dance parties. With underwear this stellar, you seriously don’t need pants.” — Katie Dupere, Commerce Editor

Shop: Nike Embroidered French Terry Joggers, $60

Credit: Nike

“As someone who is used to getting dressed every single day, I’ve enjoyed giving my wardrobe a rest and redefining my daily outfits with loungewear. Some of my favorite brands for cozy sweats are EntireWorld and LESET, but my most worn loungewear during quarantine are these French terry joggers from Nike. The French-cotton blend makes them beyond soft and I reach for them at least three days a week. I also love how lightweight they are so I don’t overheat. I could not recommend these pants enough!” — Laura Galvan, Commerce Editor

Shop: Reverse Weave Joggers, $50 and Reverse Weave Cropped Cut-Off Crew, $55

Credit: Champion

“I love Champion’s plain and simple reverse weave sweats. I got two sets at the beginning of quarantine: an off-white set of joggers and a matching cropped crew-neck sweatshirt and a silver-grey pair of joggers and a hoodie. While my boyfriend said I looked a little bit like Rocky in my grey-on-grey sweatsuit, I don’t care. I don’t even care that it’s a ‘groutfit.’ It’s so comfy and the material is soft on the inside, smooth on the outside. The reverse weave is also a little more structured and not a thin, pajama-like material. I’m planning on getting the shorts for the warmer weather now.” — Ellie Conley, Commerce Editor

Shop: Parade Underwear, $9+

Credit: Parade

“I wrote an entire story dedicated to underwear by the brand Parade because they’re as legit as people say. It’s hot AF and like a dummy, I didn’t put my AC in because I’m lazy. I’ve been living — and dripping sweat — in these. I have enough colors and styles from the brand to do a Pride TikTok at this point. 

“My thot-like ways could not resist the thong (I’ve got like 5-7 pairs) because it’s one of the most comfortable and freeing thongs I’ve ever worn. But I’m also a big, big fan of the briefs. I have a wide, bootylicious butt, and I actually get amazing coverage with them. And even if this butt swallows The Cheeky whole, it still feels like you have no underwear on. Plus, I feel better about buying these because they’re sustainably made from recycled water bottles.” — Ari Bines, Commerce Editor

Shop: Puff-Sleeved Dress, $39.99

Credit: H&M

“This is probably embarrassing, but I don’t own loungewear! I’m actually very jealous of people who can make loungewear appear so chic without even trying (*cough* Shiona Turini). I’ve realized that my version of loungewear is wearing whatever the flowiest thing is in my closet. I love wearing this dress from H&M around my crib, which gives me the freedom of not feeling too “done up” while still feeling ready to hop on an IG live at any moment.

“Also, who doesn’t love puff sleeves? It’s such a chic silhouette and I’m a huge fan for comfort and flyness in one.” — Jamé Jackson, Senior Beauty Writer

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