I’m not sure how I missed the pre-quarantine memo informing everyone to get cute loungewear. On the contrary, I’ve been the idiot over here buying new spring clothes when I clearly should have been buying cute sweats, smh. Well, lesson learned for the next global pandemic. Anyway, it has now become impossible to get a lounge set anywhere because they’re all sold out. Pretty sure they were all bought up by the influencers considering they’ve all been flaunting new lounge looks every day. So since some of us didn’t get that initial memo and aren’t in the position to go spend $200 on a new sweatsuit, I’ve found some affordable loungewear options that still look expensive. Here are my must-have loungewear pieces from some of my favorite places to online shop.
1. Nasty Gal
Nasty Gal You’ve Met Your Match Knitted Sweater And Pants, $38
Nasty Gal ‘A Hot Pocket of Conversation’ Knit Lounge Set, $45.60
One of my favorite sites to shop, Nasty Gal, has been killing it with necessary new lounge arrivals during this quarantine. Like, they’re really testing my self control and ability to be responsible with that stimulus check. They have tons of cute loungewear pieces that look expensive, like these monochromatic matching sets that are about as chic as glorified pajamas can be.
2. Talentless
Talentless French Terry Embroidered Crop Tee, $38
Talentless Women’s Premium Modal Tank, $34
When it comes to loungewear, there’s one family we can wholeheartedly trust because they famously made loungewear cool (and basically invented athleisure). Yes, I’m referring to America’s royal family, the Kardashians. And Scott Disick, the unofficial Kardashian, has come through for us this quarantine with his own elevated, high-quality loungewear brand, Talentless. Now, before you roll your eyes at me, it’s important to know that, unlike Yeezy, Talentless actually is relatively affordable and their product is super high quality. I always knew Scott was my favorite for a reason!
3. Nordstrom
Topshop Peached Jersey Sweatshirt, $36
Free People FP Movement Sunny Skinny Sweatpants, $48
One of the primary secrets to making your loungewear look expensive is keeping your whole look in a neutral palette. For example, think about the worst-dressed person you know. That person probably wears a lot of contrasting colors and bold prints and looks tacky af. Then think about everything the Kardashians wear. So yeah, point proven, your clothes look more expensive when they’re plain and in a neutral color.
4. ASOS
ASOS DESIGN Hourglass Basic Jogger, $29
ASOS DESIGN Lounge Boxy Sweatshirt, $29
Another way to make your loungewear look more expensive, besides sticking to neutral colors, is to go totally monochrome with your look. To really maximize the “richness” of your look, do a monochrome look in a cool neutral color, like these dusty rose joggers and similarly colored boxy sweatshirt.
5. Shopbop
x karla The Sleeveless Crop Tee, $48
I know you’re all about to go crazy on me right now for putting this seemingly basic white tee and sleeveless crop on this list, but hear me out first. This T-shirt is designed by Karla Welch, a top celebrity stylist who clearly knows a thing or two about what you need from your everyday basics. And, let me be the first to tell you, she makes the PERFECT white tee. Her basics line is composed of everyday essentials in the most premium fits, so trust me, they’re worth it and you’ll definitely want to order a few.
6. Princess Polly
Rise & Lounge Jumper Black, $39 & Rise & Lounge Shorts Black, $32
Princess Polly is a site that has become a recent obsession of mine. No really, like I check the site daily for new arrivals… I think I might have a problem. Princess Polly always has incredible fashion finds that are totally affordable, and their loungewear basics are no exception. But warning, their product definitely sells fast—so if you see something you like, don’t sleep on it!
7. Zara
Satin Effect Striped Top, $17.90 & Satin Effect Striped Shorts, $29.90
This striped set from Zara is the epitome of what elevated loungewear looks like. It could legitimately be PJs or a full going out look, all depending on how you choose to style it. Of course, during these quarantine times I don’t expect you to put on your best heels with it, but rather, a chic pair of fluffy slippers and an oversized cardigan for a very casual, glam lounge look. They currently also have these cozy pants, which are available in several colors and will look extra high-end paired with a basic tee.
8. Missguided
Casual Loungewear Jumpsuit, $28
Gray Balloon Midaxi Cardigan, $28
When it comes to super cheap fast fashion you have to be extra careful with your selections to ensure that they don’t actually look cheap. Thankfully, you truly can’t go wrong with an all-black loungewear jumpsuit, which is ideal for chilling. Plus, you can even wear it casually with a pair of chunky dad sneakers whenever we’re actually allowed out of the house again. Another must-have is this long cardigan, which is an ideal piece to have in your quarantine arsenal for just throwing on over all of your lounge outfits.
As you can see, there are a few themes here when it comes to purchasing affordable loungewear if you want it to still at least look expensive. In summary, try to stick to neutrals and monochromatic or tonal looks. You’ll naturally feel better about yourself quarantining in one of these chic affordable looks rather than your current slob-kabob look of a 2012 sorority formal tee paired with your gross ex-boyfriend’s sweats.
Images: Garin Chadwick / Unsplash; Nasty Gal (2); Talentless (2); Nordstrom (2); ASOS (2); Shopbop (2); Princess Polly (2); Zara (2); Missguided (2);
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