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

      Brie Welch serves as an editor in residence at Who What Wear. In addition to her long-standing role as Katie Holmes's stylist, Welch is also a costume designer and eBay's resident stylist. This position entails curating the eBay Watchlist, a quarterly trend report informed by shopper data. She lives in New York City. A few summers back in Paris, I stumbled upon a stunning set of men's paisley-print silk-flannel pajamas in a vintage shop in the 10th arrondissement. It was quite the surprise considering the warm weather and the more seasonally suitable piece I purchased along with it, a fitted Dolce & Gabbana silk minidress. Life is indeed full of contradictions! Our closets exemplify this, especially when sleepwear is reimagined for daywear. Take, for instance, the timeless pajama set, a traditional holiday gift for men that has infiltrated my thoughts and sparked numerous outfit ideas for daily wear. I'm clearly not alone in this; according to eBay's latest trend report, eBay Watchlist, searches for silk pajama sets have risen by 34%, based on global eBay search, sale, and listing data from August 2024 to August 2025.

      When I envision men's pajamas, I immediately think of Audrey Hepburn in Roman Holiday wearing Gregory Peck's striped pajamas. She exudes a youthful charm while challenging the notion that this menswear staple could make a fashionable top. Styled with a more feminine touch, such as a pencil or miniskirt coupled with chic shoes, it channels a very Prada Fall/Winter 25 vibe. The idea of stepping out of bed and onto the sidewalk in chic heels and a handbag suggests ultimate sophistication. I'm also reminded of Carrie Bradshaw from Sex and the City on New Year’s Eve, braving the snowy subway in her lightly patterned pajama pants, which she paired with heels, a fluffy fur coat, and a sequined cap—so stylish! It’s also very Chloe King—she could effortlessly pull off that entire ensemble and inspire many variations.

      Turning back to pajama sets, they're best when featuring stripes and patterns and can be styled separately for non-bed occasions. For men, I would love to see silk pajama bottoms or even designer printed silk trousers (notably, eBay searches for Gucci silk pants have increased by 59%) paired with a cashmere sweater, chunky socks, and loafers for a coffee run. This look is casual yet far more intriguing than sweatpants, reminiscent of a scenario where Gene Kelly played The Dude instead of Jeff Bridges.

      Tips:

      1. Size Up: Opt for a larger size than your usual fit. This allows for playful proportions and shifts the perception away from their intended use.

      2. No Piped Cuffs: Seek sets where the pants lack piped cuffs, as these can lean more towards the pajama aesthetic.

      3. Avoid Prints: Steer clear of kitschy prints, opting instead for solids, stripes, and paisleys in rich colors.

      I believe the secret to successfully incorporating this style is balance. Even Sofia Coppola understood at the Met Gala that pajamas should not be ordinary cotton varieties. There needs to be a bit of flair. It’s about blending pajamas with typical ready-to-wear pieces for a more dynamic look. Consider combining classic tailoring, luxurious knits, and surprising footwear options like metallic sneakers, kitten heels, or penny loafers. Pajama shirts as button-downs also shouldn't be dismissed. Why not give them a go? Without further ado, start scrolling to style your pajamas beyond bedtime.

      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