The secret to effortless, stylish outfits may have been concealed in the men's section all this time.

      Brie Welch serves as an editor in residence for Who What Wear. Besides being a longtime stylist for Katie Holmes, Welch is also a costume designer and the resident stylist for eBay. Her responsibilities include curating eBay Watchlist, a quarterly trend report driven by shopper data. She lives in New York City. A few summers ago, while in Paris, I stumbled upon a stunning set of men's paisley-print silk-flannel pajamas at a vintage shop in the 10th arrondissement. This find was surprising given the warm weather and the more seasonally appropriate piece I purchased alongside it, a fitted Dolce & Gabbana silk minidress. Life is filled with contradictions! Surely, our closets exemplify this, particularly when items typically meant for sleeping are worn out in public. A prime example is the classic pajama set, a timeless holiday gift for men that has infiltrated my thoughts, sparking numerous everyday outfit ideas. I’m not the only one intrigued by this trend—searches for silk pajama sets on eBay have increased by 34%, according to the recently released eBay Watchlist, which analyzes global eBay search, sale, and listing data collected from August 2024 to August 2025.

      When I think of men's pajamas, I immediately picture Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday, wearing Gregory Peck’s striped pajamas. She exudes a playful femininity while challenging the notion that the menswear staple could serve as a stylish top. Worn with a feminine touch—like a pencil skirt or miniskirt and chic shoes—it channels a very Prada F/W 25 vibe. The concept of rolling out of bed and onto the street in petite heels and a chic bag embodies ultimate sophistication. I’m also reminded of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City, venturing into the snow on New Year's Eve in her lightly patterned pajama pants, paired with heels, a voluminous fur coat, and a sparkly cap. How fashionable! This look is also reminiscent of Chloe King, who could easily pull it off and inspire various iterations.

      Focusing back on the pajama set, these are best worn in stripes and patterns, ideally styled separately in non-sleep contexts. For men, I would love to see silk pajama bottoms or even designer printed silk pants (eBay searches for Gucci silk pants have risen by 59%, by the way) paired with a cashmere sweater, chunky socks, and loafers for a coffee outing. This look is casual yet more intriguing than sweatpants, akin to Gene Kelly portraying The Dude instead of Jeff Bridges.

      **Tips**

      1. **Size Up**: Opt for a larger size than usual. This allows for playful proportions that shift perceptions away from the original sleepwear intention.

      2. **No Piped Cuffs**: Choose sets where the pants lack piped cuffs, as they veer more towards traditional pajama styles.

      3. **Avoid Prints**: Steer clear of kitschy designs; aim for solid colors, stripes, and paisleys in rich hues.

      The key to successfully trying this style is balance—even Sofia Coppola at the Met Gala recognized that standard cotton pajamas won’t suffice on their own. There must be a bit of flair. It’s about combining pajamas with classic ready-to-wear pieces to create visual interest. Think classic tailoring, luxurious knits, and unexpected footwear like metallic sneakers, kitten heels, and penny loafers. Pajama shirts can function as stylish button-downs as well. Why not give them a shot?! Without further delay, begin styling your pajamas for occasions beyond just sleep.

      **Designer Pajamas**

      - **Prada**: Striped Cotton Pants

      - **Bottega Veneta**: Striped Silk Pajama Set

      - **Vintage Pajamas**:

       - **Yves Saint Laurent**: Pajama Set

       - **Manhattan**: Golden Needle Pajama Set

       - **Christian Dior**: Monsieur M Pajama Top

      **Pajama Styling: Shoes**

      - **Phoebe Philo**: Man’s Loafer

      - **Manolo Blahnik**: Silk Embellished Mules

      **Pajama Styling: Knitwear**

      - **Lauren Manoogian**: Beige Coto Cardigan

      - **The Elder Statesman**: Thistle Alpaca Cardigan

      - **Polo Ralph Lauren**: Fair Isle-Inspired Cardigan