The Art of Waking Up Like This

WRITING / MODELING Anjali Dhawan

PHOTOGRAPHY Emily Gringorten

DESIGN

Phoebe Lasater

Fashion occupies space in so many environments. It’s at parties and on the streets, on the big screen and in personal closets, from one corner of the world to another. Fashion is everywhere, so it feels natural to share personal style when interacting with the world, especially when it’s such a clear way to express creativity and personality. Even (read: there’s a pandemic, and going out has been replaced by endless time at home), fashion still weaves its way into our lives, whether by new modes of expression like social media, or in new trends like loungewear. But what about those times when there’s nobody else around to see what we’re wearing? When the looks we create are truly for our eyes only?

WHAT ABOUT WHEN WE SLEEP?

When I stumble into bed most nights, I scramble to get out of my jeans, abandoning the day’s clothes in my laundry basket, and throw on whatever old

What we wear greatly affects how we feel.

for bed is an afterthought, a step in the process of a daily routine.

But what if it wasn’t?

What if we cared more for our sleepwear? What if, instead of resigning to the pull of exhaustion and spent time getting ready and putting ourselves to bed? For many, the nightly ritual of a skincare routine or a screentime detox or bedtime snack already exists. But we might be missing out on something greater when we forget our bedtime wardrobe in the haste of getting to sleep.

the same way that dressing up for a date makes us feel attractive, looking smart for an interview makes us feel professional, and dressing casually at home makes us feel comfortable, reserving for bed and gives our minds a physical cue that it’s time to sleep. Unfortunately, the recent trend of wearing loungewear regularly has blurred the lines between daytime clothing and sleepwear, so become that much more important. By ignoring routines and making it an afterthought, we erase the boundaries between the conscious world and dreamland. On the other hand, by incorporating sleepwear as a valuable part of our personal style, between these two worlds.

Sleepwear deserves more appreciation and attention. Just because it’s often worn just for ourselves does not disqualify it as a meaningful part of our wardrobes. If anything, this unique

functionality makes it so much more personal and so much more valuable — it holds such a meaningful place in our personal style. So why not give sleepwear its own stage in the world of fashion?

It’s not as if there isn’t room for creativity; countless styles of sleepwear exist, from classic and silky lingerie. And even within these categories, there is variety.

Take nightgowns for example. While more wellknown for their places in your grandma’s or baby cousin’s closets, modern versions of this style provide a sleepwear option that would best be silhouettes, shorter lengths, and updated designs have created the perfect sleepwear option for those looking to still feel a little bit dressy at night, or even those who prefer an oversized tee to “real” pajamas. And for something a little more sensual or seductive, a chemise — essentially the love child of nightgowns and lingerie — is a happy medium. Nightgowns and similar styles are proof that dresses don’t just belong to the daytime; they can be a comfortable sleep style as well.

Even traditional pajama sets can be updated by swapping cotton for silk or satin, or by choosing newer patterns like animal print instead of old fashioned plaid. Similarly, a true nightshirt can take the place of an old oversized tee or sweatshirt. We have these tried-and-true favorites for a reason; develop sleep style.

Just like with daytime fashion, sleepwear can Sleepwear is still widely seen as more functional than fashionable, so opportunities to innovate and push boundaries within this category have so much potential. There are limits to the existing realm of sleepwear fashion that can be pushed, which is inspiring. Nonetheless, exploring personal preferences among these styles creates an opportunity to bring a person’s sense of self into their sleepwear.

There’s a whole world to be discovered here, and awakening this new side of style could improve the way we care for ourselves before bed and better prepare ourselves for sleep — even if it is between the sheets where nobody else will see it but you.