Sleepwear and tropicalism: what should I be wearing to bed?

Can I please ask, what are the current trends in sleepwear?

We take your questions very seriously and frockadvisor has conducted some market research on your behalf. It seems that women’s sleepwear falls into several distinct categories, Sloppy, Traditional, Cosy, Sexy and Au Natural. These seem to be determined by a number of variables including, one’s stage of life, the warmth of the home, one’s sexual identity and the thread count of the sheets.

Sloppy is the film depiction of the kooky college girl, a natural beauty, flung together in vest top, sweats and fuzzy socks. Charming. Note: this really only works if you’re Jennifer Aniston . . . 10 years ago.

Traditional is the classic pyjama. From crisp cotton through flannelette into silk, the formula remains the same, pyjama wearers are not for turning.If you’re going to do it, you might as well look glorious. Rosie Huntington Whiteley’s extensive range for Marks & Spencer include some gems for every category, with these dusty pink silk PJs at €125 or a satin version at €49 channelling the female equivalent of Noël Coward, whatever that is.

Cosy is a new breed. The onesie has crept into the collective subconscious and has become the comforter of a generation. In terms of bedroom activity, foreplay now takes the form of peeling a banana. On the style Richter scale, frockadvisor is afraid you’ve rather fallen off the cliff.

By sexy, we mean the Joan Collins school of satin, silk and lace, slinkily composed to skim the body and threaten to disintegrate at the merest tug. When it comes to the perfect marriage of sensuality and sleepwear, no one understands this territory better than Susan Hunter. With 30 years in the business as the facilitator of elegant bedroom scenarios for both wearer and gifter, she gets it. Her charcoal grey silk and lace night slip manages to avoid stereotypes of what it means to be alluring.

There are a number of variations on the Au Natural sleeper. Either you’re hemp and harvest, or your world is so luxurious and sensual that your skin must directly touch as many surfaces as possible, and with the help changing those Frette sheets twice a week, the only option is to immerse yourself in the experience as fully and nakedly as possible.

Is it okay to be inspired by Tahitian sunsets while living in Ireland?

So you’ve noticed that fashion has gone tropical, like an exploding can of warm Lilt poured sweet and sticky over the low-key stylings of resistant minimalists.

So who exactly is this trend aimed at and does it have relevance in a moderate climate? This trend is firmly aimed at the fashion lovers among us who are ready to kick up our heels and have a good time. If minimalism whispers a story of control and stealth then tropicalism is a loud and bawdy song of celebration and living in the moment. Maybe it’s time to stop being so measured and throw caution to the wind.

In terms of relevance, the tropical trend is essentially shorthand for good, old fashioned, summer fun.

As we stare out of frockadvisor towers on to a misty grey morning, we’re pretty sure we can see a hint of labouring sunlight breaking out from behind those gloomy clouds. And this is the key, your pineapple is going to look pretty miserable on the bus on a wet Monday, but inject a little swelter and everything gets much friskier. Suddenly, it’s midweek drinks after work and lunch in the park – and the thoughts of wearing yellow seem much less daunting.

The high priestess and originator of the tropical trend is, of course, Carmen Miranda, but SS14’s version is much more nuanced, moving away from costume and into a mood rather than a movement. Alexis Bittar’s fistful of jade gemstones plucked from the seabed are clustered together to cool a summer neck, and are evocative of the warm glow of sun holidays (available from Loulerie in Dublin). Peter Pilotto’s gigantic orchid print tunic at Samui, brings a modernism and digestibility to the table.

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