How To Look Cute In Pajamas

Let’s face it, thanks to sheltering in place, we’re all probably wearing pajamas way more than we normally do. The pajama drawer was once a section of our closets reserved for sliding open right before hitting the sheets. Now, the pajama drawer is in frequent use as pajamas have become a mainstay in our daily wardrobes much beyond the hours of 11pm-7am. It is perfect timing really because in addition to athleisure, the fashion world has embraced the concept of wearing pajamas as clothing and embraced incorporating pajamas into the outfits we step out the door wearing (Carly and Blair nailed it with their pajama sets!).

In our current world, unless you work in a necessary industry that is still going into work (THANK YOU doesn’t begin to cover y’all) or unless you’re on a Zoom call, I bet you have days that go by at home where you don’t ever change out of your pjs… intentional or not. So, I wanted to share a few tips for how to look cute in pajamas. Who doesn’t love to wear pajamas (P.S. I actually know who – Edwin! He wouldn’t be caught dead wearing pajamas during the waking hours, ha!)?

Pajama Top (c/o) / In Five Years book

How To Look Cute In Pajamas

Upgrade your Pajama Drawer with a Fresh Pajama Set

The easiest way to look cute in pajamas is to upgrade your pajama drawer with a fresh pair of pajamas! This is exactly what I did when I got the pale pink poplin shorts set I’m wearing in this post. There’s no need to wear the same old ratty pair of pajamas night after night. Since you might be in pajamas more than usual right now, a fresh pair of PJs really is a good investment!

Style your Favorite Nightgown as a Dress

Who says your nightgowns can’t be worn as dresses? Even sheer nightgowns can be turned into a cute look if you layer a slip underneath. With ethereal, dreamy, flowy, floral print dresses so in right now, the nightgown as a effortless outfit isn’t far off. I particularly love the way Hill House Home has mastered this look + embraced the latest fashion trend of exaggerated smocking with their cult favorite Nap Dresses.

Slip on a Button-Up Pajama Top with Denim

This is perhaps my favorite way to look cute in pajamas while mix and matching pajamas with regular clothes (as seen on me in the below photos). A button-up pajama top and denim bottom is the perfect uniform for staying home too. Think of your pajama top as an alternative to your classic oxfords. You’ll be comfortable and look cute + appropriate if you step outside for a walk or a necessary errand. Style your favorite blue or white jeans with a great PJ top and a knockout pair of heels for a dressed up IT girl look (or for an at-home date). Alternatively, pair your jeans and PJ top with flats or loafers for a casual weekend ready look (or a work from home day). Your pajama pants will be waiting for you when it’s time to crawl into bed.

Embrace Pajama Sets as a Jumpsuit or Romper Alternative

I linked out to Carly and Blair earlier in this post but I’d be remiss if I didn’t again here because these two really mastered the pajama set in public trend. At quick glance, it could look like they are wearing jumpsuits. In actuality, they are wearing chic pajama sets – Carly’s is more of a party going out look and Blair’s is more of a casual daytime brunch look. Look cute at home in these looks right now by wearing a dressier pajama set (more here) for date night or Mother’s Day brunch and a casual pajama set (more here, here, and here) for working from home.

Pajama Top (c/o) / Headband (c/o) / Earrings / Sneakers / Jeans (old – similar)

Cute Pajama Outfits

Nightgowns as Dresses

Read my tips above for styling a nightgown as a dress… it is perhaps the easiest way to remain supremely comfortable while still looking chic at home or out in the world. Pair a nightgown with simple sneakers, ladylike slides, or minimalist sandals.

Button-Up Pajama Tops with Denim

Take a peak earlier up in this post for my thoughts on styling button-up pajama tops with denim. It is simultaneously a fashion-forward look and a casual-effortless look right now. One you can’t go wrong with! Any of the below pajama tops would pair perfectly with jeans.

Jogger Sets Instead of Jeans and a Sweatshirt

We all love to wear pajamas but I also gravitate toward joggers and jogger sets. Jogger sets are beyond soft and comfortable but still look cute when worn out as an outfit or around the house for a day of to-dos. Skip your old jeans and decades-old sweatshirt in favor of joggers… sweats but make it fashion!

What do y’all think? Pajamas in public… pajamas as clothing… why not try it!? It’s such a comfortable way to dress (especially right now!) that it might not be a fashion trend. The look could be here to stay! At this point, the pajama dressing trend has been going strong for a number of years now! I think COVID-19 is causing an even larger surge of it.

Photographs by Edwin Eversole