This post was prompted by a gorgeous Asian-inspired pajama set. For a split second I thought, I’m going to get that pretty set and sleep in it. Chic, glam, alluring and pretty. 

Reality set in a moment later. I find it very hard to sleep comfortably in anything but a soft, roomy T-shirt with a highish neckline and short sleeves. If the neckline is too wide, it falls off my shoulders during the night. Sleeveless is too cold, and long sleeves are too constricting. The T-shirt also has to be the right length. Too short and it creeps up my torso. Too long and I find it constricting. My legs have to be bare because pajama bottoms bunch up during the night and make me uncomfortable. Legging type pajama bottoms and onesies don’t work either. So I sleep in boyshorts and my perfect sleeping tee. 

Unfortunately, my sleepwear style is very UN-glam, UN-alluring and UN-flattering. But it’s exactly what I need to get a good night’s rest. I’ve tried all sorts of lovely looking pajama sets, robes, nightshirts and nighties in the past, but they inevitably become loungewear because I find the silhouettes uncomfortable for sleeping.

I replenish my sleeping tees regularly so that they look pristine. They’re usually made of modal so they don’t crease. And since I love to wear lace underwear, my knickers are pretty. At least there is that! Perhaps one day I’ll find a more glam, attractive and pretty sleepwear solution. But for now, it is what it is. 

My clients’ sleepwear varies a lot. There are knitted, flannel and silky pajama sets across long and short lengths. Tank tops and shorts are popular in Summer. Some wear leggings and tees, cotton nighties, silky slips, or mismatched T-shirts and pajama bottoms. Some wear their old T-shirts, their husband’s old T-shirts, or old cashmere sweaters. And some don’t wear anything at all. 

Sleepwear style is very personal and there’s no right or wrong. The most important thing is that you get a good night’s sleep! But if you’re not as sensitive as I am, do give your sleepwear style some thought. Perhaps it’s time to replenish your pajama sets, buy another robe, or try a new nightie silhouette. That way I can live vicariously through you. 

If you’re comfortable sharing the specifics, I’d like hear all about your sleepwear style.

The rise on a pair of trousers, jeans and shorts is the front and back length between crotch point and waistband. The fashionable trend over the last few years has been an increasing rise in trouser and jeans silhouettes. Today the high rise is completely mainstream and in the majority.

Each individual person also has their own rise measurement. Those who have a relatively short rise tend to find medium rise bottoms “high rise”, while those with long rises will find high rise bottoms shorter than expected. Add body type modifiers like waist length, waist width, and thigh shape, and finding the perfectly comfortable and flattering rise can be a tall order. 

In general, the high rise has pros and cons.

Advantages

• They are on trend and fashionable
• They provide extra coverage and security
• They provide girdling structure that prevents muffin top
• They are extremely comfortable
• They are a great fit on a body type with a long rise 
• They are visually flattering on a long-waisted, hourglass body type

Disadvantages

• They can dig into the midsection on a body type with a short rise
• They can be unflattering, making a short waist look shorter
• They can accentuate the size of the midsection
• They can feel too tight on the midsection
• They can cause belly bulge
• The waistband is often too high on petties, finishing right under the bust
• Semi-tucked top looks better on mid and low rise bottoms

Most of my clients are enjoying the high rise trend because of its advantages. Some petites, or regular height ladies with short rises and/or very short waists, are not. 

I’m regular height but have a short rise, so I sometimes find high rises too high. The waistband digs into my midsection, especially when I sit down. I also have a bit of a sway back, which means that a high waistband needs alteration to fit perfectly at the back. Mid and low rises tend to fit me a whole lot better straight off the rack, and I find them more comfortable too. But I do wear the high rise jeans and trousers as long as the waistbands are soft, and the fit does not gape at the back of the waist. 

Over to you. Are you enjoying the high rise trend?

Target teams up with BaubleBar, an all-vegan line from Birkenstock, The Devil Wears Prada will become a musical, and other news from the style trenches in January.

• Target is launching a dedicated Korean beauty section curated by Alicia Yoon, founder of Peach and Lily.
• Target has also teamed up with BaubleBar for a collection of earrings, bracelets, rings, and necklaces called SugarFix.
• After 25 years, Alexandra Shulman is stepping down as editor-in-chief of British Vogue.
• UK e-commerce retailer ASOS is introducing plus-size and tall lines for men.
• Birkenstock is now selling an all-vegan line in the United States.
• Belgian model Hanne Gaby Odiele has revealed she was born intersex, and talks about her new mission of advocacy and support with Vogue’s Lynn Yaeger.
• The Devil Wears Prada will be turned into a musical, with Elton John composing the music.
• Amazon is planning to sell its own line of workout clothes.

Fun Fashion Fact

Did you know that Mary Tyler Moore wearing capri pants as her character Laura on The Dick Van Dyke Show was controversial at first. In 1961 wearing pants on a popular sitcom was considered groundbreaking, and the studio and sponsors were worried the trousers were too figure-hugging in the seat. They made Carl Reiner, the show’s creator, promise not to let Mary wear pants in more than one scene per episode. “We went along with that for about three episodes, and then finally, I was just wearing the pants”, said the actress, who passed away at age 80 on Wednesday.

I LOVE to wear white jeans in Winter because they’re bright, crisp, and unique in a sea of street style darks. I like to combine white jeans with an ink blue or black support act, or ink blue or black and a bright. 

Here are two outfit ideas to get you started. The rendition with the brights is crisp, soft, happy, and a bit Ralph Lauren. I wore it a few weeks ago. The rendition on the right is neutral and more hard-edged. Note that you can swap out black for ink blue or navy, and vice versa. 

White Jeans, Ink Top & Brights

Combine white jeans with an ink blue or black pullover, and add black, ink or cream booties. Feel free to wear cosy warm socks with the jeans. Semi-tucking the pullover and adding a cream belt is optional. Finish off the outfit with a bright coat and bag. Any colour that tickles your fancy will work because black and white are versatile graphic neutrals. Cobalt blue, emerald green, purple, red, cranberry, and shocking pink are all good.

I chose my citron peacoat, orange bag, and went with ink blue boots. Here are the exact items of the outfit from my wardrobe. It was a cheerful outfit to wear on a grey, rainy day. 

White Jeans & Black Support Act 

Combine white jeans with a black blouse or pullover, and finish off the look with a textured black coat, and black boots. The texture in the coat goes a long way to breaking up the blandness of flat black, as does adding bling and a scarf to the outfit. Add a black bag with hardware. I like this hard-edged white jeans outfit with burgundy lippie and fingernail polish for a bit of girly glam and more outfit interest. Add jewellery, eyewear, headgear and watch as desired.

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