loungewear

As a late eighties baby, the original Lucy Jones Lingerie was before my time. It was founded by Lucy Jones in Liverpool in 1980 and went on to what I can only describe as phenomenal success for a small, independent brand, being stocked in leading department stores including the likes of Harrods.

It is now possible to find relatively breathable-feeling synthetic fabrics. These are frequently more hydrophobic than actually breathable, but they can sometimes be comfortable and suitable for the hot weather. However, I’d argue that natural fibres are often the best initiative.

Ever since I first moved to Spain, I’ve regretted leaving my fluffy dressing gown behind. I guess I thought I wouldn’t need it but the reality of living here is that it’s not all sunshine, all the time. Stealing my husband’s hoodies was no longer cutting it, so this Christmas just gone, a cosy robe was top of my wishlist.

Handmade in Málaga, Spain by Bohemian Soul Lingerie, these pieces have some of the most fabric I’ve ever seen on a nightwear garment. Just metre upon metre of fluid lace, chiffon or cotton voile that drapes down to the ground and puddles around your feet.

There’s something particularly lovely about owning a garment that was made just for you, but we don’t all have the budget for bespoke lingerie. That’s where custom embroidery offers a nice alternative – it’s way cheaper than ordering something truly bespoke, but still feels more special than a purely off-the-rack item.

As we are entering the most festive part of the year, cosy and stylish do not have to be antonyms. From classic silhouettes to custom prints, here is a selection of fashionable loungewear pieces that will also bring you comfort during the cold winter months.

The first time I saw the Sans Peur collection from Âme Nue Intimates, it took my breath away. The brand itself is named after the French phrase meaning “naked soul”, and each piece in this new collection does an excellent job of conveying both the power and vulnerability behind that idea.

Lately, I’ve found myself wearing slips more than anything else in my wardrobe – including bras! Like robes, they’re easy to throw on in the morning as loungewear, and I also style many of them as outerwear simply by adding a strapless bra underneath and a skirt on top.

I’m not quite sure what to call this new(ish) loungewear trend – it’s not ‘animal print’ in the typical sense, so I’m going with ‘animal illustration’ instead. Emblazoned with repeating motifs – most frequently snakes, zebras or big cats – these pieces will add heaps of fun to your homewear wardrobe!

As the global lingerie market continues to increase in value, new and potentially-major players are entering the industry, from SavageX to Zara to Amazon. So I got curious – could Amazon truly become a leading lingerie destination?