Buying guide for best kids’ loungewear
If you’re looking for comfortable clothing for your kids to wear around the home, loungewear remains a favorite option for its high level of softness and all-around coziness. Whether kids are enjoying video games, watching TV, doing homework, or curling up with a good book, loungewear is designed with comfort in mind.
Kids’ loungewear is made of soft, stretchy materials to accommodate every sitting or relaxing position. Loungewear isn’t just great for downtime, though. It’s also ideal for active playtime. From hide-and-seek to kids’ yoga, loungewear will definitely be able to keep up with your busy children.
With so many types of loungewear on the market, you’re probably wondering which ones are right for your kids. To help you find the right set or pieces, we’ve assembled this buying guide to make your choice a simple one. In addition to covering popular styles, we’re sharing essential features to compare as well as a few of our favorites.
Key considerations
Size
Loungewear for kids follows standard sizing for girls’ and boys’ clothing. It only gets tricky when some brands offer unisex pieces, which are often expressed as small, medium, or large. Luckily, these usually include a conversion chart with measurements or recommended ages to help parents pinpoint the correct size.
Comfort
Above all else, kids’ loungewear should be comfortable. In addition to flexibility, the sets should be roomy yet fit well.
Cuffs on tops and bottoms should be stretchy enough that kids can push their hands and feet through them with minimal resistance.
Tops should have collars that are cut low enough that they don’t feel uncomfortably snug around the neck.
Bottoms should have a soft waistband, preferably with covered elastic to minimize skin irritation.
Quality
Because kids’ loungewear is worn and washed often, it’s worth investing in sets or pieces with quality construction. You can identify well-made loungewear by these features:
Reinforced stitching prevents holes and fraying.
Flat-lock seams are softer on sensitive skin and a sure sign of quality construction.
Thicker fabric is a sign of durability. Sheer or flimsy materials aren’t likely to last very long.
Features
Sets
Loungewear sets consist of a top and a bottom and are usually designed for a specific season. Tops may include T-shirts, sleeveless shirts, or long-sleeve button-down shirts. Bottoms are usually leggings, pajama bottoms, or shorts. Sets are ideal for a coordinated look, but they’re not recommended for kids who wear different sizes in tops and bottoms.
Individual pieces
Loungewear can be purchased as individual pieces, such as tops, bottoms, long lounge shirts, gowns, or onesies.
Tops and bottoms are easy to pair with existing pieces in a kids’ wardrobe, such as plain cotton T-shirts or pajama bottoms.
Long lounge shirts and gowns are popular for little girls and often feature characters or themes.
Onesies, also called footed or feety pajamas, aren’t just for babies and toddlers anymore; nowadays, they’re popular for older kids to wear as well.
Materials
The most popular materials for kids’ loungewear are cotton and polyester, followed by flannel and fleece.
Cotton and cotton blends: Although 100% cotton remains appealing, it’s prone to shrinking and fading. Cotton blends have risen in popularity because they boost a garment’s flexibility and help retain its shape. These blends include stretchy materials like elastane or spandex. Another common blend is cotton and polyester, which is best known for its flexibility, durability, and color-fastness.
Polyester: All-polyester loungewear is considered the most durable option. Not only is polyester rip resistant and highly flexible, but it is also colorfast and resists wrinkling and shrinking. While most kids are comfortable in this type of loungewear, those with sensitive skin might find the material irritating. Polyester is also known to hold onto heat, making it a less than ideal pick for warm weather.
Flannel: An ever-popular choice for winter loungewear is flannel, since it’s effective at holding in body heat. Unlike polyester, flannel is breathable and won’t cause kids to feel overly warm. It’s super soft and cozy, but unless it’s blended with other materials, it doesn’t have much flexibility. For that reason, some parents buy a size larger in flannel loungewear to give kids extra room to move.
Fleece: Fleece is another popular pick for winter loungewear because of its fluffy softness. While it’s incredibly warm and retains body heat well, it’s also a fairly lightweight material. Unfortunately, fleece doesn't wash as well as other materials, and it can be prone to matting or pilling. Some parents also have reservations about fleece regarding the sustainability of its manufacture.
Accessories
Slippers: Dearfoams Kids’ Clog Slippers
Keep little feet cozy with these fluffy clog slippers. Besides a cushioned plush footbed and a nonslip rubber outsole, the slippers come in nine charming designs.
Socks: Fruit of the Loom Boys’ Cushion Ankle Socks
These well-made socks offer modest support and plenty of cushioning, making them ideal to pair with loungewear. The socks are made from a polyester-spandex blend, so they wash well and retain their shape.
Nap mat: My First Nap Mat
Loungewear is ideal for nap time, so make sure you have an equally cozy nap mat on hand. Designed for ages 12 months and older, this hypoallergenic nap mat is washable and super soft.
Kids’ loungewear prices
Kids’ loungewear costs between $8 and $50. The quality of the construction mostly drives the price; however, the reputation of the manufacturer also impacts it.
Inexpensive: In the $8 to $15 range, you’ll find individual loungewear tops and bottoms, as well as some long lounge shirts and gowns. While quality is very hit or miss here, there are many good-quality pieces manufactured by leading brands at the top of this range.
Midrange: There are countless loungewear sets and onesies in the $16 to $30 bracket. You’ll get the most bang for your buck here since most sets and pieces are generally well made, durable, and easy to wash.
Expensive: The most expensive kids’ loungewear costs between $30 and $50 and mostly includes sets or multipacks of specific pieces from designer brands. This range also includes quite few licensed pieces of loungewear, such as those made by Disney featuring popular characters.
Tips
- Remove the tags. If your child has sensitive skin, be sure to remove the tags from the loungewear. If scissors are too big to take the tags off without damaging the garment, use a seam ripper instead.
- Look for relaxed bottoms. To prevent loungewear bottoms from riding up while your kid is walking, invest in a style with a relaxed cut. These have spacious seats that allow for free, uninhibited movement, plus the fabric is less likely to bunch up.
- Avoid lacy details. While lace adds a pretty, feminine touch, it can irritate the skin if it’s stiff or coarse.
- Buy more than one set. Some kids fall in love with certain characters, which is why they might be crestfallen when they outgrow their favorite loungewear that features them. For that reason, many parents invest in more than one size of the same loungewear pieces.
FAQ
Q. Should I size up loungewear to accommodate growth spurts?
A. For babies and toddlers, no. It’s a safety hazard to have loose or poor-fitting clothing. For older kids, however, it’s not unusual to size up for a slightly looser fit, providing the tops or bottoms aren’t too big. Some loungewear is cut small as well, so you might have to size up anyway.
Q. Why is kids’ loungewear featuring characters more expensive than regular loungewear?
A. Simply put, it boils down to the fact that it is licensed merchandise. This means a specific clothing manufacturer has partnered with a company with major name recognition, like Disney, to produce branded items. This adds a premium to any licensed item, including loungewear.
Q. Do loungewear leggings indicate the length of the inseam? My kid is tall for her age, and many pants come up short.
A. Unfortunately, it’s rare for brands to advertise the inseam of kids’ loungewear bottoms. Some brands offer size charts that help parents pinpoint the best-fitting size based on height and weight, which could be helpful in this situation. Some retailers also take it upon themselves to list the measurements, so you might be able to find it in their product description as well.
