9 Perfect Sleep Shorts for Lounging or Catching Some Z’s
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Once the weather hits a solid 55 degrees , my pajamas and sweatpants get tossed. Honestly, even in the dead of winter I'm only wearing boxers to bed , because the old cast-iron steam radiators in this New York apartment have me sweating no matter what. But come spring I make the transition from pants to shorts in the living room as well. Since that time is upon us, I've delved into the great, expansive offerings of the Internet to share with you the seven infallible sleep shorts that are worth your money.
Esquire's Favorite Shorts for Lounging
If I'm going to be honest again, I really just wear boxers in this category, especially when we're talking about lounging. That's mostly because I love my Sunspel boxers so much that I don't need a separate pair of shorts in an inferior fabric. If anything, I'll size up on those boxers and wear them as house shorts, or I'll put on a robe when I don't want to bear all to my wife .
But I am a freak about fabric. That's a plus for you, because presumably you are here to be told what to buy. I can do that. Here are the nine sleep shorts I'd bet the house on—good fabrics, (some) good prices, and good looks all around.
Uniqlo Woven Trunks
You might as well stock up on these striped shorts from Uniqlo, because not only are they damn comfortable but they're also damn affordable. For under ten bucks, these 100-percent-cotton shorts are breathable, get softer with each wash, and come with a stretchy elastic waistband that's perfect for sleep. Don't overthink it—no frills, no fuss.
Material: 100% cotton
J. Crew 7-Inch Lounge Short in Oxford Cloth
If you want a proper short to sleep in, not just a pair of boxers, go to J. Crew. It makes these oxford-cloth lounge shorts, which I much prefer to cheap sweat shorts.
Material: 100% organic cotton
Sunspel Classic Boxer Shorts
Sunspel's cotton is really starchy when you first buy it, but it softens over time really nicely. There are two back seams, so they sit on your butt, not in your ass crack. Sorry to be so crude, but it's an important distinction that makes them more comfortable and more durable, huge benefits for me on sleep boxers.
Material: 100% cotton
Petite Plume Twill Pajama Short Set in French Blue Heritage Stripe
You could also get a full old-man pajama set. Fair warning, once you become a pajama guy, sleeping in just a pair of boxers will make you feel like an animal. You'll want to buy pajamas for every day of the week and will always want to pack them on trips away.
Material: 100% brushed cotton
Quince Supersoft Fleece 7.5" Sweatshorts
Sleep shorts are one of the best products you can get from Quince, because they fit the brand's business model to a tee: simple, decent construction, and affordable. The Quince caviar , however, should be avoided entirely.
Material: 68% lenzing modal, 27% recycled polyester, 5% spandex
Smartwool Merino Boxer
If you want something up-market that isn't cotton, I recommend merino wool. Merino sheep create some of the best temperature-regulating fabrics on Earth. When you're hot it wicks moisture away from the body, and when you're cold it traps heat next to it. This boxer cut is more comfortable than briefs for sleeping, in my opinion.
Material: 88% merino wool, 12% nylon
CDLP Cotton Boxer Shorts Classic
If you're okay with something semisynthetic, the Esquire offices love CDLP . We especially love the underwear . I love them because of the barely there feel and sweat wicking, and I wear a pair to sleep pretty often during the summer.
Material: 100% organic cotton
Brooks Brothers Linen Short Pajamas
For this year's Esquire Sleep Awards I wore this linen sleep set from Brooks Brothers—life changing. The 100-percent linen makes them perfect for warm weather wear, keeping you perfectly cool while you lounge on the couch. The butter soft fabric ages like a fine wine, getting better with time. In fact, why stop at just the shorts? The whole set makes the look.
Material: 100% linen
Mazarin Sky Blue - Classic Boxers - Linen
This is one of the best pair of boxers I've ever worn, perfect for sleep. The linen is divine, and the cut of the boxers is timeless. The back has an American cut—two seams that sit on the cheeks instead of one in the crack—that flatters the wearer and keeps him comfortable. There's an elastic waistband for comfort, but also a classic two-button waist closure that makes them feel a bit more elegant than what you can get at Uniqlo.
Material: 100% linen
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