Castanea curates…clothes for lazy Christmas days
In the past couple of years, loungewear has become as much of a style choice as evening or workwear, and while there’s a bigger, and better, range of items available now, they don’t all feel the way I think loungewear should, which is velvety soft and like a soothing balm for my body.
This was my inspiration for designing Castanea’s Lou Cashmere Pants. There’s something incredibly indulgent about a casual item such as joggers in an elevated fabric like cashmere. It’s a little like hanging an expensive piece of art in your ensuite; totally indulgent and entirely about your own enjoyment. But I know so many women who find track pants incredibly unflattering. Often, they’re too wide in the leg, ballooning just above the ankle cuffs for a sloppy silhouette.
The Lou Cashmere pants, however, are specifically designed to give you a slim fit, with straight legs that gently taper into ribbed ankle cuffs and a high-rise elasticated waist for an elongated line. The black contrasting ankle cuff gives them a subtle point of difference too.
Whether you’re a fan of hooded sweatshirts or crew necks, there’s a matching option for the Lou joggers in both styles. I continued the blue and black contrast detailing as I wanted to infuse these pieces with a sophisticated signature look. The black shoulder detailing on the Atriona Cashmere Sweater and side sleeve stripe on the Mary’s Cashmere Hoodie keeps the look fresh and contemporary and adds a cool athleisure feel to both garments.
I like to wear the Lou Pants and Atriona Cashmere Sweater with a blazer if I’m heading out for lunch or to a friend’s – the contrast of a sharply tailored jacket with tactile and softly sculpted separates feels very modern. And Mary’s Hoodie is my go-to for a Stephen’s Day walk as the cashmere hood makes me feel utterly cocooned from the elements.
To contrast with the earthy blue of these loungewear pieces, I’ve also created the Pip Cashmere Sweater in a soft smoky shade of grey with delicate pink elbow patches for extra durability as well as a touch of retro appeal. I love the contrast between this refined, feminine colour palette and the robustness of a hardworking, wear-anywhere, round-neck sweater. I also think this piece looks incredible paired with a tulle or sequinned skirt. Again, there’s a lovely juxtaposition between the glamour of one item and the utilitarianism of the other that just works.
