This is what a gentleman should wear to bed
From the softest of slippers to a sumptuous silk dressing gown, this is what you need in your nightwear wardrobe this winter
Forget your solid gold Rolex. Forget your low-slung custom supercar. Forget your Monaco-moored megayacht – for pyjamas are the true measure of a man.
And we’re not talking an old festival T-shirt here; we mean the full kit and caboodle. Matching pyjamas, dressing gown, slippers. Only the riff raff and rabble don’t button up proper pyjamas before bedtime. Before you shuffle under the sheets for yet another night in the same baggy boxers, take a look at what you should be wearing.
Classic pyjama sets are a bedroom must
Let’s start with the classics. The two-piece, button up pyjama suit is an icon; a symbol of class and tradition the world over. So why aren’t you wearing a pair? They may seem a little fuddy-duddy to you, but these days you can find them in a whole host of patterns and fabrics. These aren’t pyjamas for your grandad anymore.
From Sir Plus, these Cuban-collared pyjamas come in a bold tiger print, roaring style into your bedroom. Turnbull & Asser is leading the silky charge, with its decadent set in a deep wine colour. And New & Lingwood, master of nightwear — just take a look at its dressing gowns below — has channelled the preppy look with its Old Etonian cotton set.
We’ll give you a dressing down if you don’t have a dressing gown
You heard us. If your bedroom door doesn’t have a signature dressing gown hanging from the back of it, you’re doing nightwear wrong. And it doesn’t have to be anything flashy — although that obviously helps. You just need something to shrug on when you slide out of bed and drift over to your coffee machine. It’s comfy, it’s modest and it should be part of your morning routine.
And it really needn’t be quiet. Just take New & Lingwood’s Stalking Leopard dressing gown. It’s the height of opulence, considerably more ostentatious than it needs to be — and that’s why we love it. For something a little more toned down, consider Frescobol Carioca or Hamilton and Hare’s lightweight options, in linen and cotton, respectively.
Never undersell underwear as an option
We know we chastised you for throwing on a tatty festival T-shirt above, but get some underwear specifically for sleeping in and you can’t go wrong. Opt for lightweight boxer shorts and a breathable T-shirt – a modern, summery spin on the classic pyjama two-piece set.
With boxers, keep things simple. This might be Sunspel’s striped cotton boxer shorts, made from breathable cotton and an elasticated waistband that won’t pinch or budge — or it could be Emma Willis’ striking shorts, crafted from a patchwork of Lapis and Navy Butcher linen. Whatever pants you plump for, pair them with this classic pyjama t-shirt — designed by Gentleman’s Journal cover star David Gandy for M&S.
Give yourself the slipper
Like your dressing gown, the slipper is a Sunday staple. It’s part of a lazy morning routine – shuffle out from under the sheets, slip them on and wander about making an involved breakfast and savouring it because you have time to. Comfy, practical and style statements of their own, every man should own a signature pair of slippers.
And they can be as simple as you like. From Crockett & Jones, this Ritz pair in black calf leather are unbelievably soft. Loro Piana’s offering, lined with soft, warming cashmere, are cosier than a warm winter evening in, too. Or, for a more modern approach, turn to the masters of minimalism over at Mahabis, whose monochrome version of its classic pair will satisfy the design-led gentleman.
Now you’ve got your loungewear sorted, these are the stylish briefcases that promise to last you a life time…
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Further reading
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