What To Wear When No One's Watching
Here's your *cozy* starter kit
Welcome to winter break. I hope you’re averaging one book a day, eating cookies for breakfast, and shoving your inbox into a proverbial lake. Well, maybe except for this one letter, which I promise to make short and sweet.
This is not your guide to $500 silk pajama sets, though I have written that. This is an honest-to-goodness guide to comfy clothes that last. I polled Long Live readers, dug into the depths of my closet, and I feel confident that these are the lounge items made to last.
Long Sweats and Boxer Shorts
Cozy bottoms are the core tenant of a comfortable outfit for hanging out. My favorites? Boxers and sweats that are long enough for my 36 inch inseam.
Sweats with somewhat of a gathered leg are ideal for tucking into wool socks. Here are some I adore and some reader recs, too.
We take
recs very seriously around here, so when she suggested these $100 cashmere joggers, I took notes.
Sporty and fun! These are $25.
We’ve been over it. These are amazing and can be monogrammed. Hello!
You know I’m a lulu fan, randomly, and these come in short, regular, and tall! A little spendy, but the kind of thing you’d rather buy once and be set.
Excellent green shade in these vintage Russell track pants under $50.
Leave it to Donni to craft a sophisticated sweatpant.
Big button downs
Lounging in warmer weather always comes down to a massive button down for me. I love the feeling of sipping coffee in one and a pair of boxers—no plans other than to journal in the sun.
I favor 100% cotton here and this is the exact item to source from your local thrift store. If you’d rather shop online, eBay has loads under $20.
Sleeping in a massive button down as a nightgown is also a favorite of mine. I just pull on some sweats and my ultra mini uggs and I’m set for a lazy day.
Indulge me, this is from my beloved Chava Studio, and is way more akin to something I’d wear in the real world.
Really basic stuff here—search vintage Ralph Lauren 100% cotton button down and click “Buy It Now.” This one is $18.
Pajama Sets
Hardly reinventing the wheel here, but when it comes to pajama sets, I need ones that are going to wash well for years to come. Plus, I’d like to spend less than $150 on the set! Cotton is queen here, too.
I’ve long held that the best PJ sets are from Lands’ End. You can monogram them, get them in a host of sizes, and they hold up beautifully.
Always keep an eye out for vintage Brooks Brothers PJ sets! My fav. This is under $40.
I’m pretty shocked to share that Gap pajamas are also great, especially in warm climates? They come in extended lengths, too, and if you’re trying to match or get a bunch for a group, the price is impossible to beat. (Pants and top)
Super cute vintage Dior PJ set for $30ish.
Socks that last
Durability drove me to research on the Reddit thread BuyItForLife. I’ll spare you the impassioned posts and present some of my favorites. We’re not looking for the trendiest colors or patterns that charm. I’m in the market for the kind of socks I can toss in the dryer for the next decade.
Darn Tough hive! I have a pair in bright red that I turned some friends onto. Bad news—no longer in production. Good news, we can still stock up on white/black/etc.
I stay fangirling over these from Uniqlo. That’s how you know my recs are honest, because until something better comes around, I’ll just be recommending this.
These are quintessential country home uniform to me. I even like wearing them with old Levi’s and a sweater. Are you even surprised they’re from the Vermont Country Store?
Sturdy sweatshirts
It’s not easy to define a sturdy sweatshirt. But you know one when you feel one. Vintage is best, mostly because the materials have already been put to the test. But I’m also including some that my husband loves to wear to the office, too.
Or maybe you’re more into hanging out in a wool sweater? I love this vintage one for $40.
Sister and my husband both adore this sweatshirt. I’ve been really impressed with the quality. (Use ERIKA20 for 20% off)
Russell Athletic 50/50 go crazy on the secondhand market. This one for $85 is actually a pretty good deal.
Last year, I bought Christian a few of these to wear to work and I wash them all the time. Happy to report they only look cozier the more time goes on.
A little vintage Levi’s action.
This vintage one is so cute and $25.
Sets
The daytime version of a pajama set, a cozy set seems to be all the rage in the Long Live chat. I think they can be really darling, but finding them vintage makes them all the more charming.
One set really came out on top in the Long Live chat. You guys live for Le Bon Shoppe! The Balloon Pants in particular seem to be the best. They’re on sale! You could pair with this top.
Old school! Vintage Gap Sport set for $75.
The Roots Cloud Fleece material comes highly recommended and I like that you can sort your own set, with a baggy sweatpant bottom and maybe a more fitted top.
As a fourth grader, this is the exact outfit I imagined my adult self wearing.
Fleece quarter zip
My favorite, favorite cozy uniform piece. I slip into Ruby’s mom’s Patagonia fleece every time we’re at the beach, and it’s one of my most treasured rituals. I think a fleece quarter zip makes an excellent gift and I always keep my eyes out when I’m thrifting. I find robes a little too much when I’m lounging at home, and this feels like a more wearable option.
This option from Columbia is so cute and under $100.
Or spend half on this secondhand Patagonia option.
I’m sorry but this looks DIVINE.
My plan is to collect these for my country home so guests always have something cozy to change into <3 this one is under $50 on eBay.
Honorable Mentions
Pairing any of these looks with Sperry Boat Shoes make them feel instantly more polished. Plus, they’re just as comfortable as slippers.
I’ve been bathing in this $13 face oil for the last month.
Hot smart rich girls get it. I loved this podcast ep!
I’ll be taking notes on
book list from 2024.Thank you for reading Long Live. It means so much to me. You can shop my favs here, follow along on Instagram + Tiktok, and shop my Notion template. Get matched at EV Salon. And if you want to partner on a future Long Live, email evan@communite.co x
Le Bon is phenomenal, however they are not for the long limbed amongst us. I live in their sock, short sleeve tees and love my new scarf, but sadly can't wear the other items (no matter how many times I try!)
my brother actually did sew a nufferton-inspired pyjama set for his girlfriend!! blue and white gingham fabric, 100% cotton, collared shirt and shorts with pockets :,) such a thoughtful gift