These webcam-ready pyjama shirts will take you from Zzz to Zoom
Enjoying late starts and lie-ins? With cotton collars and button fronts, these luxury pyjama shirts are indistinguishable from the real thing
Words: Jonathan Wells
Oversleep much? Don’t worry; it’s easily done — especially now our desks are within sleepwalking distance of our beds. But drifting through your alarm can cause problems. If you’ve got a 9AM conference call, hit snooze one time too many and you risk missing your window for a shower, a well-brewed coffee — or even getting dressed.
Thankfully, we’ve been buying pyjamas. And not just any old pyjamas. Smart pyjamas. This is next-level nightwear; shirts so trimly tailored they’ll take you from Zzz to Zoom in slick, seamless style. Because, unless you’ve upgraded to a 4K webcam, it’s unlikely anyone will be able to tell the button-down difference…
For early emergencies, these traditional pyjamas are tie-ready
Sound ridiculous, doesn’t it? Pulling on a tie with your pyjamas? But needs must. And, if you’re already going to be the last person to chime into your morning videocall catch-up, there are worse options than passing off your pyjamas as workwear. If the collar fits, and all that…
Just run a quick comb through your hair and slip a tie on over your P. Le Moult pyjamas — woven from seersucker so it won’t even appear creased on the call. Sunspel’s navy cotton offering is equally smooth, with a silky feel and traditional cut. Or, if you want to go full Gekko, keep a bold red tie by your bed to pair with Tekla’s power-suit poplin PJs.
From flannel to Cashmerello, textures transcend dress codes
It’s still cold outside, so brushed cotton and flannel are acceptable fabrics at any time of the day (or night). Plump for some textured pyjamas and you can kill two fluffy birds with one practical stone — rolling straight out of bed and onto camera in a believably warm work-from-home shirt. No-one will ever suspect you slept in it…
Emma Willis knows a thing or two about shirt-making. That’s why this super-soft Cashmerello pyjama top is better-made than many actual shirts. Hamilton and Hare’s flannel shirt adds piping detailing and a chest pocket to belie its pyjama purpose. And, from Desmond & Dempsey, this straight-fit, brushed cotton shirt is truly indistinguishable from the genuine day-wear article.
If you’re known for your elaborate, showy style, seek out patterned pyjamas
If you’ve already cultivated a reputation as a flashy, flamboyant dresser, the workwear-pyjama transition will be easy. So easy, in fact, that you can do it in your sleep. With bold prints and patterns already a mainstay of your wardrobe, you can get away with wearing almost anything on Zoom — which leaves your options very, very open…
SIRPLUS should be your first stop. The brand offers an ever-evolving range of sustainably-made pyjamas — and even advertises some of these shirts as both day-and-night appropriate. Derek Rose’s ‘Nelson 76’ pattern is modern, slick and wouldn’t look out of place on a bright morning Zoom call. Or, to really pull out the striking stops, opt for New & Lingwood’s peacock-printed PJs. Because it’s never too early (or late) to slip on some silk.
For summer, a short-sleeved, patterned pyjama shirt is perfect
And, finally, let’s look ahead. Remember last summer, when lazy, hazy nights rolled into sunny mornings? These bold, breathable pyjama shirts would have made the perfect work-from-home wardrobe. Cut from the same cloth (literally) as most camp-collared, short-sleeved summer shirts, they’re indistinguishable from the rest of your warm weather clothing.
From Derek Rose, this ‘Ledbury 34’ shirt is perhaps even more stylish than your genuine summer short-sleeves. Like Desmond & Dempsey’s tropical print, the design shrieks ‘Summer!’, and will turn heads (without raising eyebrows) on a June/July conference call. Alternatively, Oliver Spencer’s ‘Townsend’ pyjama shirt is a little more restrained — but still, essentially, not identifiably nightwear.
Looking for more smart-casual springwear? These are the suavest overshirts of the season…
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