A few weeks ago, a buddy of mine texted me in a panic. His boyfriend was razzing him about the state of his PJs (or lack thereof), and he confessed that he’d never given them much thought before. Help me, he implored. I’m a hot sleeper, and I really don’t need excess fabric weighing me down when I’m trying to catch a few Zs. I’d love to pass out in a luscious spread of Zegna fabrics, but are there any budget-friendly options out there? (I’m editorializing a bit, but you get the gist.)
You’re in luck, my man, I responded with alacrity. I sent him a link to this handsome set from J.Crew and then promptly forgot all about it. Until he hit me up again, a couple of weeks later.
Yo…These jammies go extremely hard. Would it be crazy if I started wearing the bottoms as, like, regular shorts?!
Yo… I responded, beaming with pride. You are now thinking with the telltale inquisitiveness of a GQ editor. It would not be crazy in the slightest!
My friend was onto something. As it happens, I had just bought a pair of Baserange’s Ole shorts—crisp, cotton PJ-esque joints masquerading as semi-presentable daywear. The genre was already on my mind. And the more I considered the question, the more relegating a stellar pair of shorts exclusively to the bedroom seemed completely absurd. I’m a peacock, I imagined those PJs shouting plaintively: You gotta let me fly! In terms of sheer aesthetics, there’s not much separating these types of shorts from a classic pair of boxers, save for a fully closed fly, drawstring waist, and more generous inseam. They’re lightweight, a little oversized, and cut to flutter right around the knee, with ample room to let your gams breathe. Think of them as a not-too-distant relative of the shorts you’d pack to soak up some rays in Portofino; less saggy, shapeless, and athleisure-y, more Nicholson in Something’s Gotta Give.
As a set, they make for one half of an excellent shut-eye ensemble. But with a crushed bucket hat, rumpled Oxford-cloth shirt, and penny loafers? Or better yet, tinted shades, a breezy linen button-up, and fisherman sandals?! Dreams really do come true.
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