Pyjamas and working from home: Baudoin & Lange Lunes
Best stay-at-home wear: Baudoin & Lange
Runners-up: Luca Faloni, Sunspel
PS readers voted Baudoin & Lange the best for ‘stay at home’ wear in 2021 Awards, principally based on their Sagans or Sagan Lune shoes.
Fortunately I couldn’t agree with them more. The two pairs of Lunes I have (black suede and brown suede) are my default at-home shoes, and I wear them every day.
However, we have covered the Sagans quite extensively over the years on Permanent Style. So I thought I’d also take the opportunity here to show the shoes with some work-from-home, even lounge-doing-nothing outfits.
This is an area readers have asked a few times about in the past, specifically what I wear around the house, or first thing in the morning. So pictured are three outfits, all worn with the Sagan Lunes, and my thoughts on them.
Let’s start with the pyjamas, as I’m not sure I’ve ever shown a photo of me wearing PJs before.
These are the blue-linen model sold by Anderson & Sheppard, which I talked about loving so much on this recent article about elasticated waists.
The colour is a rich, almost indigo blue, which is nice with a surprising range of colours - including navy, black, dark brown, dark grey and white.
The A&S range as a whole is in quite strong colours, but while this indigo is versatile, the other pair I have, in tobacco, aren’t so much. Nice with white or black, but not much else. A third pair I got just before Christmas, in grey cashmarello, go with everything.
I have a navy towelling dressing gown (again, A&S) which is useful because it can get anything on it (usually food from feeding our one-year-old) and be washed easily.
But I haven’t found many other dressing gowns I like. So I commonly wear larger shawl-collar cardigans instead, of which I have quite a few. A favourite is my old hand-knitted ranch cardigan from Ralph Lauren, pictured here, and I wear the PS Indulgent Shawl cardigan in the same way too.
The shoes are the black-suede version of the Sagan Lunes.
I mentioned in my article last year on working from home, how wearing a shirt is the thing that makes me feel I’m not in loungewear, and therefore at work.
However, trousers are probably the thing that divide people most. Why? Because on the one hand, most tailored trousers readers have - flannel, serge, covert - feel too smart around the house.
But on the other, not everyone finds jeans comfortable, while sweatpants are definitely not work clothing.
I find a nice compromise is tailored cotton trousers, such as chinos from the likes of Stoffa, or bespoke cords like the ones pictured here.
They enable me to wear the tailored clothing I love - enjoying their fit and quality, as well as playing around with combinations in the same way I would if I were going out - without feeling stupidly dressed up.
The cords here are my Brisbane Moss ones made by Whitcomb & Shaftesbury, worn with a Bryceland’s Sawtooth Westerner shirt, and the black-suede Lunes.
The third outfit is a working-from-home version of the cold-colour wardrobe, and something heavily influenced by the vision of Oliver and Carl at Rubato.
There’s a shirt, but it’s actually a polo - the white (size small) from The Armoury. As mentioned on our article here about wearing polos under knitwear, this is my favourite model for that purpose.
That gives me a collar under the crewneck knitwear, which is from Rubato. As I mentioned on Instagram recently, I tried sizing up with Rubato recently, giving me the length to wear them with my normal mid-rise trousers.
This makes the upper body bulkier, but it’s not a look I dislike. Not bad, just different. Not something to wear under tailoring, and perhaps a silhouette more like a lot of shawl-collar cardigans.
The jeans are my white bespoke pair from Levi’s Lot.1.
Circling back to the Sagan Lunes, Allan tells me the principal changes he made to these - compared to the classic Sagans - are the nubuck sole, and the lower heel.
The sole really precludes them from being worn outside, but is very effective on a house shoe. There’s a little grip there, but it still feels very soft and slipper like.
That effect is enhanced by the lower heel, and there’s also a larger piece of the foam ‘Lunairmed’ insole that is used in the other shoes. With the Lunes, it runs the whole length of the shoe, and makes the shoe feel much more cushioned.
Just as important, of course, is the fact they look good. I understand why some guys find the shape of the Sagan a little effeminate, but that’s likely to be less of an issue in a slipper. And they feel like you’re wearing something more akin to a proper shoe (in the same way as the cords) rather than flapping around the house in something open-backed.
Congrats to Baudoin & Lange for winning this ‘stay at home’ PS award, and thanks to all the PS readers for their votes.
If you have any more technical questions about the Lunes, please do say so in the comments. If I can’t answer I’ll get Allan to do so.
Photography: Pete Navey @petenavey
Hi Simon, you refer to them as house shoe but what would your thoughts be on wearing outdoors in the summer or on holiday perhaps?
Also, i don’t mean to pry but i assume the setting for these shots is not your actual home? If it is then kudos on the tapestry!
The problem is if you wore them outside the sole wouldn’t last long. It’s just leather over foam. It would eventually get shredded.
The ‘Stride’ is probably the better model if you’re looking for something like that.
And no, it’s Allan’s flat not my house – mine has far more toys scattered around!
Very practical post. Thank you, Slmon. I thought the Lunes were very strong.
Concerning the durability of the soles, I thought I might pass on a tip. When purchasing a dark brown leather pair of Mr. Casuals (yes, that is the name of the style and they have a calf leather sole) from Belgian Shoes in New York, it was suggested I take them to a cobbler and have a thin Topy sole added. Not exactly purist, but hardly noticeable. I rarely wear them out of the house, but in a pinch I can. That was in the late nineties, and they are still going strong.
Interestingly, the shoes are actually made in Belgium and have been since they were introduced in the US about 1955. Definitely an acquired taste with the small bow, but became somewhat of an institution for both men and women on the East Coast. From my view, although technically smart, the preferred way to wear them is casually (e.g., with chinos or cords) and importantly, retain them until they are falling apart – very Ivy in that respect.
Thanks, and nice tip on having the extra sole attached.
Yes, I’m not so much a fan of the original Belgians, but I do love the way they’re worn in that style.
Well someone’s doing well for himself
Hi Simon,
what are your thoughts on the ‘Stride’? The moulded rubber sole has a slight retirement home feel about them but i actually don’t mind it and i am quite drawn to its practicality.
I don’t like them so much, because I feel they’re closer to being a trainer. They’re similar to the very successful Loro Piana shoes in that respect. Beautifully made and comfortable, but they’re too much like a trainer to work with anything smart.
Hi mate just to chime in, I bought a pair of stride and I love it so much. The sole is just so damn comfortable I could wear it everyday but like Simon said, it’s more of a trainer than a proper work shoes. You definitely can’t suit up with them, but when dressing down I find myself wearing the stride 90% of the time leaving the other leather sole or dainite sole shoes untouched.
And boy B&L are expensive, but I think it’s kinda worth it.
Elegant outfits Simon.
Have you tried the Sagan Strides or the Sagans with crepe soles?If so, what do you think of them?
Hey Paul – see comment about on the Strides
Big fan of matching one’s outfit to one’s staircase. Well played.
Simon. I’m considering a pair of lunes for exactly this. Did you consider leather or was your intention always to go for suede? We have wooden floors, so do you find the soles non-slip?
Thank you. Lovely article. I went from work based suits to a similar chino and knitwear home combo.
Cheers Peter.
I was always going to go for suede, because I like it so much in the regular Sagans. And it goes with so many other things, plus looks less like an outside shoe I think.
If I was going to go for leather, though, I’d go for the deerksin. I’m wearing that in the middle picture, alongside the other two black options – suede and calf
How inspiringly elegant in a world where so many are just wearing the dreaded sweatpants. Out of interest where was this shot – suspect the giant tapestry and minimal hard edged furniture doesn’t mix with a one year old!
Precisely. It was Allan’s flat – definitely not childproof!
Interesting staircase – is that your place, Simon?
No, Allan’s. (Allan Baudoin, from the brand)
Dear Simon,
are these pictures taken at your home? Impressive interior!
Interesting how much everyone’s interested in the interior! Clearly there is potential for my favourite suggested PS offshoot – PS Interiors.
Yes please
I see commercial potential for PS-Home.
But what do we match
? Clothes to interior or…
Joking aside, I think this would be a interesting area. It wouldn’t have to be to technical but it would be interesting in terms of emotional response etc and describing and venting what architectural elements work and how they interact is not that dissimilar to tailoring. I feel they may come a need to diversify at some point as there is only so much you can say about classic menswear. I would rather see some branching out than an ever more forensic focus on the niche and minutiae. No one needs an article on the gauge and weave of shoelaces!
To be honest, I’ve never come close to running out of things I want to write about. There’s so much more out there, in terms of styles, traditions in menswear, and many categories I haven’t covered in anywhere near the same depth as tailoring. Plus every time I write one post, readers suggest at least two more – so the list only gets longer!
But yes, I can certainly see the parallels with interior decoration, on grounds of quality, craft and traditions of styles. I guess it’s one area where it’s hard to cover a broad area personally, as you’re never going to have more than the one house, sofa etc
Also, no offence Simon, but not an area where you are an expert or have any additional experience to any amateur enthusiast
Very true Gregoire. This might sound weird, but I’ve never especially felt like I had that with clothes either – I always saw myself as more of a journalist, I guess because that was what I was trained as, so just interviewing people, going through experiences and relating them, dissecting the styles of others, and so on. I knew essentially nothing when I started PS. Though I guess people may have less patience with that on a new topic, now I’m better known.
I would totally read PS Interiors!
I’m interested in where the grey socks come from, and, if it is not a bit nosy, that supremely comfortable looking chair.
You mean the sort of taupe colour, worn with the white jeans? They’re Bresciani.
The chair is an old Art Deco piece – Allan and I share a love of most decorative arts, hence the book I’m reading too (Rateau). I can ask him what the origin of the chair is.
Heard back – the chair is not that expensive, but Allan doesn’t have any more details other than it was 1970s English, in an Art Deco style
Hello Simon, really love this article, given our changed circumstances. I fear I am wearing out my black suede Lunes because I’ve been wearing them so much – so am about to spring for another pair.
I’ve also been eyeing off the Anderson & Sheppard PJ’s, but am unsure of the right size; you and I always seem around the same size in most things, so I’m curious what you take?
Cheers,
Nick.
I wear Small Nick, but it’s a bit of a compromise – a touch short in the arms and body, for a better fit in the body. The medium would be the opposite
Hi Simon – which size do you take in the A&S towelling robe out of interest?
Small
Hi Simon,
‘PS Interiors’. Now there’s a interesting thought on expansion. Not without precedent. I expect you see some very interesting places in your travels.
Thanks for leading the stand against sweat pants!
What you said about cotton trousers seems to also apply to anybody who doesn’t wear “real” tailoring regularly. For me, chinos/cords/jeans are the backbone of my wardrobe, since wool trousers would be usually too much. And with those wardrobes light coloured jackets tend to be hard, since unless you enjoy Stoffa-style all pale outfits, they only go with denim and then perhaps something in dark brown.
Why does the house look so good 😂
Love the rug!
One complaint my wife has about the Sagan Classics is that they’re very loud when I walk around in them – she jokes that it sounds like I’m wearing heels. They’re fine on carpeted floors but loud on hardwood. Have you had a similar experience?
Are the Lunes less loud due to the different construction?
Yes, the Lunes have no sole effectively, it’s just foam with nubuck over the top – the same material you have on the upper of some of them. Much more like a slipper.
I don’t really wear the Classics inside
Kudos on choosing Give ‘Em Enough Rope rather than London Calling for the photo shoot. Criminally neglected in the Clash canon.
Have you tried Belgian shoes NYC and if so what are your thoughts on them compared to the sagans?
I don’t like them to be honest. They’re a lot cheaper in terms of raw materials, and I’m not a fan of the little bow.
Hi Simon, thank you for the article. You managed to remain very elegant!
Out of curiosity, are the A&S pyjamas the “navy” or the “china blue”? And also, which size did you go for? I’m always worried about the inseam for trousers. Thanks in advance!
Thanks Tom.
They’re the ‘navy’ – it’s not really a navy, for me. Much stronger in colour. And the China blue is strong and lighter.
See comment above on sizing – I went for Small, but it was close between that and Medium.
PS Interiors please!
How do you find these without socks? Or do you frequently wear them with socks?
I find them fine with socks actually – even though I can’t wear the Classics that way (I always wear invisible socks). I do wear socks with the Lunes too, but really just when my feet are that much colder (or ankles)
I’ve found I get a decent amount of use out of flannels working from home, usually with a shawl collar jumper or cardigan. Although cords and chinos have also seen a lot of use this winter.
Simon, a question if I may. Do you take the same size in your Baudoin & Lange shoes as your Edward Green? Trying to get a steer on how these fit.
I actually find I size up slightly in the Lunes – so I take a 43 in the Lunes, but a 42 in the Classics. And EG is I guess a little in between, being an 8.5
Do you find sizing up is needed for width or length?
Length
Hey Simon. So in a few places you reference these as being indoor only. B&L’s website says same but aren’t these essentially similar to Belgian loafers in terms of sole composition? Those are often worn outside, maybe with a thin rubber sole attached by a cobbler for durability. Thoughts?
No Alan, the construction is different to the Belgian loafers I think. I don’t have any, but I believe they use a hardier leather on the sole
On Belgians website it says it’s a leather wrapped felt sole, so sounds fairly similar.
Fwiw B&L customer service indeed told me a cobbler could add a rubber sole should you wear through the nubuck.
Thanks JB. I do think the nubuck is a bit less robust but a rubber sole on top would make a big difference
I will take this opportunity as always to urge Allan and the B&L team to introduce more than one fit for the Sagan. Yes they’re fairly adaptive, but they just don’t work on us cursed with wider feet and/or higher wrists. Either that or a personalized fit for a cost.
In my regular size the fit is so tight across the vamp the stitching eventually comes undone, if I size up there’s still massive creases across the vamp. I might be in the extreme, but I’ve spoken to dozens of people who all say they wish there were more fit choices as they cannot find a really good fit.
Noting negative about them otherwise, it’s a great looking shoe and their customer service is always fast and nice to interact with.
What size do you normally wear? I’m a 9.5 eee In US sizing and the site says it’ll “mold” to your feet.. a little skeptical about that.
Any comment on the color choices for the Lunes? I noticed you seem to wear the black colored ones the most often. Is that the color you would recommend?
It would be close between brown and black suede, but no I’d say the brown suede is the most useful. Not that dissimilar to normal shoes
I know it’s a pipe dream / highly unlikely but if you were able to offer that RL cardigan up as a collaboration I would buy it in a second.
Great post, thank you. I didn’t realise you have a 1yo! I have 3 boys (7, 5 and 2) and find alot of the time I’m covered in mud, food and all sorts and haven’t worn tailored jackets for a loooong time now! Is there anything you’ve found that’s stylish and especially practical for Daddy-day-care?
Well, I have three girls who are less sporty, so there’s less mud going on.
But yes, there are certainly clothes that are more appropriate. I’m actually writing a piece at the moment on my family – that will be up in a week or two. Some good recommendations in there
Thank you, I’m looking forward to that. I feel stuck in a style-rut so will look for inspiration in your forthcoming post.
Hi Simon. The PJs look amazing but is linen a comfortable fabric to sleep in?
I don’t sleep in them Michael – I only wear them for when I get up with the kids, and sometimes in the evening. But yes actually, when I have done I find lightweight linen like this to be very comfortable.
Simon I’m finding it difficult to go beyond the basic sweater + chino/flannel/jeans combination. I worry about wearing even the casual jacket (which may still look a tad formal for my typical city/office setting) … are there any tops that bridge between knitwear and the sports jacket?
Sure. The most casual version of a sports jacket will be one that’s completely unlined, like the John Simons one here for example.
Then there are overshirts/shackets, in wool in winter or linen in summer. Eg from The Anthology or Private White.
And you can achieve a lot without changing the types of clothing you wear, but just the quality or the style of them. Eg flannels that are made for you, with elegant shoes, a fitted cashmere knit and a shirt that frames your face, will make a bigger difference than just adding a jacket.
Simon, what size did you go for with Rubato (the new one)?
Do you prefer their crew neck or their v neck?
Thanks.
My new one is Large, previously I had Medium.
I like both, but the V neck is more distinctive and I think more attractive for that reason. I like very few V-necks, but lots of crewnecks
Simon, would you consider Rubato’s crew necks (in the larger size you now wear) to be suitable replacements for your shetlands (i.e., A&S, Trunk, etc.) if in similar colors? Or are they really two distinct styles that do not overlap? Thanks.
They would be suitable replacements in most ways, except that they’re very different cuts. Even in a larger size, Rubato is cut shorter than those others, and in that larger size, the chest is very big. I’m still not settled on liking the larger one.
In the end, Rubato is still really best suited to true high-rise trousers, so it depends whether you wear those or not.
The sleeves on the Rubato knit look quite wide no?
Yes, they are. Similar look to the body really, though on new batches they are slimming the model a teensy bit.
In the end though, if you don’t like a full sleeve then the brand’s not for you.
Thanks to your articles, I have bought B&L shoes. They are a pleasure to wear both at home and when I go out. Being an octogenarian, I don’t spend much time at stores, but I have enjoyed wearing them while I am. On a positive note, I have received several compliments from women about these shoes.
Your carpet amazed me. This one may not come from Ikea
I hope this isn’t a silly question, but could the Sagans be appropriate to wear in a black tie setting with a tuxedo? I’m thinking as an alternative to patent leather slip-on loafers, in deerskin, black suede or perhaps a combination of both.
I can’t bring myself to get a pair of shoes that i will only wear a few times, hence am considering if Sagans are an appropriate substitute.
Yes, I think that could look very chic. You can tell it’s something they favour as there is a black-tie section of the site.
Perhaps better with a velvet jacket than a tuxedo though – as that’s how slippers are more usually worn in a formal setting, both replicating being at home.
How does the AS toweling robe stack up to the AS linen? I can (possibly) afford one robe and choosing between linen, cotton, towing, twill, etc is difficult. Also, thank you for the article on fountain pens. Because of that article my whole family has the fountain pen bug. My daughter has a couple Pilot Metros she loves. Now she’s getting into all the different inks. Keep up the good work my friend!
Thanks John.
The towelling is lovely, but it isn’t a material everyone will like. I’m sure you’ve worn towelling robes before, and they never feel quite that luxurious, or that warm. They will also shred a tiny bit over time. But still, this is a really lovely version.
If I could afford only one gown, I’d get a good wool one.
Hi Simon,
Did you purchase your denim shirt from Brycelands as washed or raw?
Thanks
Rupesh
Raw
Hello Simon. As you say you wearing a white polo (size small) from The Armoury. I myself was looking at this https://thearmoury.com/collections/polos/products/ascot-chang-for-the-armoury-short-sleeve-button-down-collar-polo?variant=5494558064655 from The Armoury. I wasn’t sure of the size though, I contacted The Armoury and they replied saying –
“I am unfamiliar with the PS oxford (as I did mention to them in my email that I wear a size small in the PS oxford’s). I would recommend taking a look at the size guide on the polo page and compare it against a shirt you already have. Judging from your size in our sweater and jeans, I would guess that you are a size small in our polos but you should double check our size guide.”
Hence I did not proceed with the purchase as they were unsure of my size (also a mention here that The Armoury has great customer service). After reading this I suppose I would be a size xs in The Armoury’s long & short sleeve button-down collar polo.
I do wear a Small in those polos Amit, but to be honest a Medium is a better fit in most places. I just like the way the collar fits on the Small, and most of the time I’m wearing it under something.
The Armoury have provided all the advice they can really give there, and I’d second the fact that you should compare the measurements to shirts you already own. But I’m guessing their advice is correct and you’re likely to best fit a small.
Hi Simon – do you use the Lunes for housework? Would they be practical for things like vacuuming, cooking, cleaning the bathroom, etc where you might want some traction? Or do you think go with the Stride? Thanks
Yes they’re fine
What do you wear on weekends while at home and you are just lounging around?
The more casual side of this
Hi Simon,
What kind of house slipper would you recommend for winter ? I’ve been browsing the website for quite some time but can’t seem to find an article.
I’ve seen some danish slippers in pure wool with leather soles that sound like they could do the job, but aren’t very stylish.
Sagan to me are more shoes than slippers, i wish to acquire proper in-house shoes that keep the feet warm, and that would only be worn inside.
Thanks
Hey PA,
I wear Sagan Lunes, which are very much just a house shoe – just soft nubuck on the bottom. I also love Charvet mules. However, my feet get very hot so I don’t need anything with any kind of lining. Even if I do, I usually prefer a sock with an unlined slipper like one of those
Thanks Simon, Sagan Lunes are actually meeting my criteria and look really good, they are unfortunately too expensive for me. I don’t like mules, I like having something holding my heel in place. I guess I’ll have to keep looking for an affordable alternative to the Lunes…
Hi PA – I would recommend Belgian loafers with rubber soles (traveler loafers). Sagan Strides is one example but a similar more affordable option would be Yanko – check out the Skolyx site. I was also looking for something to wear in the house that looked good, was comfortable and quiet on wood floors (so traditional soles were out). Lune would have worked but I wasn’t sure of the longevity of the soles. The Belgians with rubber soles checked all boxes and I have been very happy with them.