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Slipping into comfy clothes when you get home from work or step out of the shower is one of the greatest feelings…possibly ever. The best loungewear for women glides on effortlessly, feels silky-soft against your skin, and doesn’t squeeze or chafe. Sure, you can pick up any old pair of sweats at Target or dig through the drawer of random, free T-shirts you’ve accumulated (anyone else?)—but pulling on a perfectly plush hoodie or a sleek yet functional set sometimes just feels better.
Maybe you’re looking for matching sweats that’ll feel like being wrapped in a blanket for long travel days, or you want a bralette that’s stretchy and supportive at the same time. We asked SELF staffers for their closet staples and tracked down bestsellers from our favorite athleisure brands to find the very best loungewear for women at every price point.
- Shop the best loungewear tops
- Shop the best loungewear bottoms
- Shop the best loungewear sets, jumpsuits, and dresses
Best Loungewear Tops
Finding basic T-shirts you can throw on for sleeping, hitting the gym, and running errands is essential. But they’re also one of the hardest wardrobe staples to nail because they can easily lean too baggy, stiff, or cropped. TBH, a single top probably can’t fulfill your every wish—that’s why we picked a variety of cuts and styles to help you find a great match (or two, or three).
For starters, Free People’s We The Free Nina Tee is the slouchy, oversized T-shirt of your dreams. Lots of reviewers say they bought it in multiple colors because it’s that good, and there are a ton of options to choose from. “It’s a soft, thankfully-not-cropped, throw-on-and-go T-shirt that looks put together with no effort,” one purchaser wrote. “I can’t believe how many compliments I’ve gotten wearing this little gem.”
Another standout: Outdoor Voices’s CloudKnit Shortsleeve. It packs the coziness of your favorite pajamas into a sporty silhouette that you can wear out on the town. One SELF editor says it lives up to its name: “The fabric is super lightweight, making it great for layering over a tank and/or under a hoodie. I’ve had the same CloudKnit tee in my rotation since before the pandemic, and while it’s become a little thinner thanks to all the wears and washes I’ve put it through, it’s as soft as ever.” Her pro tip? “In my experience, OV runs small! So I’d recommend sizing up if you want a little room to move.”
You’ll never regret tossing a sweatshirt in your tote bag or the backseat of your car just in case you get chilly. (SELF editors are known to keep an “office hoodie” at their desk for when the AC is in overdrive.) It’ll pull together any snuggly outfit, especially if you pop the hood up and add some sunglasses to complete your “do not disturb” look.
If your wardrobe could use a staple crewneck to pair with biker shorts or leggings (hello, model off-duty), we recommend the 2023 SELF Activewear Award–winning Alo Crew Neck Pullover. It has a nice preworn feel and runs big—qualities that only add to how comfy it is. “It’s the perfect weight to throw over a sports bra when you’re commuting to and from your workout,” one tester wrote. “The inside is soft, and it’s roomy, but not so much that it looks frumpy."
Dramatic or not, sometimes trying to squeeze your head through a neck hole is just annoying, especially when you just perfected your slicked-back pony. You can wear zip-up sweatshirts like robes around your house or layer one between your sweaty gym clothes and heavier puffer jacket during colder months (because who’s trying to wash their winter coat that often?). Another 2023 Activewear Award–winner, the Beyond Yoga Spacedye Everyday Hoodie is lightweight, stretchy, and runs true to size. “It’s lovely in every way,” one tester said. “The quality and functionality is worth the price point.”
On days when you need some support but don’t feel like battling tiny hooks or stiff bands, turn to our favorite wireless bras. Light and breathable, they offer gentle shaping benefits without too much (suffocating) compression.
For D+ cups, one SELF editor recommends her mainstay: Skims Fits Everybody Scoop Bralette. It doesn’t have crinkly padding or painful underwire, but it never creates that “uniboob” look that some sports bras are known for. Plus, it feels super silky against the skin and is virtually invisible under clothes. As she puts it, “Kimberly really did it with this one!”
Harper Wilde’s Lounge Rib Scoop Bralette is another SELF staffer fave that belongs in your rotation. “It’s so soft and comfy while still feeling supportive. It’s my go-to home bra but if I need to emerge to run an errand or just want something low-key, it’ll still work when I’m out and about,” one editor says, adding that both of hers still feel like new even after a year of wearing them.
Best Loungewear Bottoms
Nothing signals “unbothered” and “ready to chill” quite like a pair of sweatpants. Maybe you want a fitted pair of joggers to wear out and about, or perhaps some wide-leg, fleece-lined bottoms sound more your speed. The only requirement here is that you love them so much they become your emotional support pants.
One SELF editor says Vuori’s Performance Joggers are the only pair she’s been willing to spend almost $100 on. “I might be trying to fool myself, but I think they don’t look quite as casual as some others,” she says, adding that she hasn’t found any other “short-person-approved joggers that beat these.”
For a pair of true-blue sweats that won’t hug your legs, look no further than the 2022 Activewear Award–winning Spanx Aire Essentials Wide Leg Pant. They keep things super simple, without logos, noticeable seams, or even pockets. But don’t worry, they have a drawstring you can adjust (take that, bloating!) and four-way stretch that moves with you. “When you touch them, you instantly want to be wearing them,” one tester said.
These are not your average workout leggings. A far cry from compressive running bottoms or sets made for HIIT classes, the pairs below are designed for lounging or chiller movements like stretching.
The 2024 Activewear Award–winning Lululemon Aligns come in tons of shades and four different inseam lengths (meaning they won’t bunch up if you’re short or look awkwardly cropped if you’re tall). “I love these for just about everything, whether I’m throwing them on with a sweater or sweatshirt to run to the park with my kids, going on a long walk with my newborn, doing a yoga class at home, or simply laying on the couch watching a movie,” one tester wrote. “They are my holy grail, my have-in-every-color type of product. Plus they’re super stretchy, so I was able to wear them up until midway through my third trimester and immediately after giving birth.”
If you’re into the “flared legging” trend that’s reemerged (a.k.a. yoga pants), you’ll love Satina’s Palazzo Pants. They have a 4.4-star rating from more than 30,000 (!) Amazon reviewers, with many shoppers commenting on how buttery and stretchy they are. “Ya girl can EAT in these,” one person raved.
Anyone remember when we collectively decided that Soffe shorts were the thing to wear (with the band rolled a few times, ofc)? We’ve kept that same level of comfort in mind with these picks. Our list includes stretchy biker shorts you can wear for workouts and loose, elastic-waist ones that’ll remind you of your old stand-bys.
Lululemon’s Align High-Rise Short has the same qualities we love in their legging counterparts, with a more summery silhouette that lets your legs breathe. They come in four different inseam lengths, so you can find the right pair for your style and your height.
When it comes to breezy bottoms, try the Aerie Real Me Crossover Flowy Shorts—they’re so loose and drapey that they almost look like a skirt. The crisscross waistband adds a stylish touch, and the built-in liner boasts a pocket you can slip your phone or keys into.
Loungewear Sets, Jumpsuits, and Dresses
The simplest way to look like you put effort into your outfit (even when you didn’t) is to wear a two-piece set, jumpsuit, or dress. Bonus: All of these options will give you the biggest bang for your buck too.
Free People’s Keep It Cool Set has a loose silhouette that feels airy against your skin. And even though it looks snuggly enough to take a nap in, plenty of reviewers wear it out and about as a cool-girl leisurewear set.
If you want a jumpsuit that doesn’t give off toddler onesie vibes, one SELF editor swears by Aritizia’s Butter Breakaway Jumpsuit. “It’s the literal definition of easy and breezy—the fabric weighs nothing, and it’s super stretchy. Also nice: The straps are adjustable, so I can keep things loose and layer a T-shirt underneath or tighten it up to wear by itself while I run errands,” she says. “Plus, it has pockets!”
When it comes to dresses, we have to hand it to Kim Kardashian again with the Skims Soft Lounge Long Slipdress. The ribbed fabric feels incredibly soft to the touch, but reviewers say the fitted silhouette is subtly sexy.
Related:
- The Best Pajamas for Lounging and Sleeping in 2024
- 8 Best Cooling Pajamas for Hot Sleepers in 2024
- Here’s What’s in Padma Lakshmi’s Self-Care Survival Kit
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