24h Wardrobe

The 24-Hour Wardrobe repositions underwear, bodywear, and pyjama-inspired pieces as modern fashion essentials. What once belonged exclusively to the private sphere now moves confidently through public life, driven by a new balance of comfort, performance, and status. Bodywear evolves from a functional base layer into a versatile, expressive category, designed for how we live today.

At the heart of this shift is “comfort with status.” Often referred to as scuba knits, spongy double knits bring a sculptural softness that allows for bold, contemporary proportions. These fabrics have become key in redefining the bodywear silhouette. Early success stories such as Nike’s long utilitywear coat paved the way, while couture-inspired designs like Jacquemus’ jacket styled over leggings demonstrate how bodywear has expanded into high fashion, statement outerwear, and everyday luxury.

Equally important are luxury solutions where function meets fashion. Dresses and body-hugging essentials made from advanced performance fabrics transcend age, size, and category. Designed to be styled up or down, they move seamlessly from airport to after-hours. Lightweight, packable, and increasingly sustainable, these pieces respond to a global, mobile lifestyle. This is no longer about underwear, it’s about a new kind of universal essential: empowering, adaptable, and always ready.

Pyjama dressing continues to gain momentum, especially in menswear. Already well established in womenswear, the pyjama pant has become a modern staple for men. While traditional woven cotton remains timeless, knitted qualities simply perform better for everyday wear. From classic PJ stripes printed on soft, breathable Pima cotton interlock to dense, crisp knits that mimic woven structures, these fabrics enable stylish loungewear, relaxed dresses, and even tennis-inspired looks that transition effortlessly beyond the home.

At the same time, relaxing moments remain central to bodywear’s DNA. Homewear and loungewear offer softness, ease, and a sense of self-care after a busy day. Closely linked to jogging wear in both comfort and materiality, knitted cotton velours is making a notable comeback, far removed from its early-2000s Juicy Couture image. Today, it reappears with a refined attitude, not only in womenswear but increasingly in men’s polos and hoodies.

The crossing of boundaries defines the next generation of bodywear brands. Labels like Free People challenge traditional codes by blending feminine aesthetics with unexpected fabrics, vintage textures, and a distinct ’70s spirit. Their bold, mix-and-match approach resonates strongly with Gen Z and Gen Alpha, who are drawn to authenticity, individuality, and rule-breaking styling. Bodywear becomes a playground for self-expression rather than a fixed category.

No discussion of the 24-Hour Wardrobe would be complete without the T-shirt attitude. Few garments are as universal. Crossing cultures, genders, ages, and social classes, the T-shirt has never fallen victim to fashion’s cycles. Its longevity lies not in reinvention, but in innovation. From its military origins to modern performance upgrades, such as treatments that keep cotton tees looking white and new over time,  the T-shirt proves that true essentials evolve through technology, not trends.

In this Material Story, we highlight the 24-hour wardrobe, that reframes underwear and pyjamas as fashion essentials, elevating core fabrics like rib knits, single jersey, and interlock from basic cotton staples into premium, often bio-based lifestyle pieces.

In bodywear, the 24-Hour Wardrobe reflects a desire for comfort without compromise, pieces you can live in all day, across climates and time zones. It encourages fewer, better garments: multifunctional, durable, and designed for long-term use. Sustainability here is not a statement, but a natural outcome of thoughtful design.

Nichole de Carle, London Contour Expert and curator of the Bodywear Area at PERFORMANCE DAYS, has a clear vision of tomorrow’s trends: “The 24-Hour Wardrobe is bodywear designed to move with you, from day to night, work to weekend, wherever life goes. When one garment does more, wardrobes become lighter and more intentional.”

In close collaboration with Concept Paris, she has co-created the Bodywear Design File 2027, a forward-looking forecast that brings together category-spanning insights under the guiding theme “Stories with Soul, Crafting a New Market.”

The Bodywear Area at PERFORMANCE DAYS: Innovation on Skin Level

The Bodywear Area at PERFORMANCE DAYS showcases the latest fiber trends, functional fabrics and bodywear innovations in one curated space. Discover a handpicked selection of exhibitors presenting cutting-edge materials, technologies and concepts for next-generation bodywear.

At the Bodywear Forum, trend insights, expert talks and inspirational content provide fresh perspectives and creative impulses for this fast-evolving segment.

As official media partner, Intima Magazine adds editorial expertise and industry insight to the Bodywear Area experience.