Over the past few loungewear-laden months, we’ve come into a golden age of the waffle: Waffle hoodies, waffle tank tops, waffle leggings, and waffle joggers are available everywhere from Uniqlo to Saks. Well-suited for layering, waffle pieces offer the warmth of sweats without the weight. To get the lay of the (waffle) land we asked a panel of stylish women to tell us their favorites — and ultimately unearthed waffle pieces that work in a wide variety of settings, including ultrawarm, outdoor-dining-appropriate sets, and leggings you can wear for cardio and yoga alike.
Waffle sets
Stylist Jasmine Caccamo is a fan of Alo’s waffle line. “These micro waffle leggings are great for just about any workout you can imagine — cardio, yoga flows, or shopping trips,” she says. “They’re super soft and comfy, and better yet, high waisted.” Having tried the leggings and the pullover myself (full disclosure, they were sent to me) I agree wholeheartedly: these are some of the coziest loungewear pieces I’ve worn this winter — and I’ve tried a lot. [Editor’s note: Alo’s Micro Waffle pieces are currently only available for sale through their app.]
If you want something with a little more heft, try this oversized waffle sweater from Aerie, which Caccamo recommended as well. It’s “cozy and textured,” she says, and though it’s technically a sweater, it’s made from a mix of cotton, nylon, and polyester — making it a lightweight option, should the heater in your apartment tend to run hot. She recommends pairing them with these Aerie pajama leggings, which she says “feel like butter and will keep you warm through the winter months.”
Perhaps you’re familiar with Parachute’s best-selling waffle-weave robe — which is a favorite of Strategist staffers and has been recommended to us by Sky Ting instructor Kate Posch. But did you know they make a lounge set in the material, too? “Parachute has the chicest waffle lounge sets for both men and women that you will actually want to wear outside the house,” says Jayma Cardoso, owner of The Surf Lodge. “They make for the perfect outdoor dining outfit.” (Just don’t forget to wear a coat.)
Waffle tops
When we wrote about the best long-sleeve shirts for women, Strategist Senior Writer Karen Iorio Adelson called Aritzia’s Andrews thermal one of her favorites. “It’s so comfortable and goes with everything,” she said at the time. “It’s really cozy and a good layering piece for work from home.” I had been eyeing the Andrews thermal around the time Karen gave the recommendation, and since then have bought one for myself. It’s even better than I expected: the shirt itself feels fairly lightweight, but it’s about as warm as a sweatshirt (the cuffed sleeves and bottom give it a sweatshirt feeling, too) and the cut is just the right amount of oversized, so that the shirt is incredibly cozy without making me feel bogged down in excess fabric.
If you prefer a fitted style, Kith e-commerce planner Rilka Noel told us she’s a “big fan” of Everlane’s waffle tees (and says that their ribbed turtlenecks are great for layering, too). It’s a simple tee that she says is “very effective” for staying warm — and if you’re trying to shop sustainably in 2021, then the fact that this one is made of organic cotton might add to its appeal.
Nu Swim founder Gina Esposito told us that she buys her waffle pieces from the Army Navy Surplus store. “They’re usually the best!” she says. Available in various fabric weights and cuts (there’s even a quarter-zip option) all of the thermal options from Army Navy ring in below $35 and many are made of long-lasting cotton or silk blends. (And if you’re looking for some heavyweight smooth cotton layering pieces, Nu Swim has many that Esposito says are as warm as a thermal.)
It came as no surprise that basics-haven Uniqlo makes a standout waffle shirt, too. “I literally live in this,” says celebrity stylist Cristina Ehrlich of their crewneck. Available in a range of soothing neutrals, the top has a flattering drop shoulder and a longer length that would work as well with leggings as it would tucked into jeans.
We’d be remiss to compile a list of warm tops without at least one turtleneck — and luckily, Caccamo came through with this cropped number. “It’s comfortable for any time of day,” she says. “Pair it with high-waisted jeans and a chunky lug sole boot.” We’d also consider pairing it with some high-waisted leggings or sweats for a put-together-above-the-waist Zoom outfit.
Waffle bottoms
“I love, love, LOVE Ceres sport and their waffle knits,” says Posch. “They have a tank and leggings in a chic cream color and they only use upcycled natural fibers so it feels great on your body.” Though the tank top is unfortunately sold out, the waffle leggings are still available — and according to Posch, fit better than your average. “Ceres is a female-owned company, so the clothing fits a female form extremely well and flattering,” she says. The warm up leggings have a cut that falls somewhere between leggings and close-cut drawstring sweatpants, and have an adjustable drawstring waist so you can get exactly the right fit on the waist.
If you want something with a wider leg, consider this pair from loungewear line Andine, which Ehrlich recommends. “The silhouette is beautiful and they have the most comfortable fit,” she says. The wider cut and black waffle material make us think this pair would work well for running errands come spring.
Cardoso calls Re/Done’s thermal, snap-front high-waisted leggings a “staple” of her wardrobe. She loves the pair for their “great detailing,” and pairs hers with a matching tucked in henley and a jacket for an outfit that, she says, is “perfect for après or outdoor dining.”
I’ve been eyeing these waffle-knit joggers from the Gap, which are on the more affordable side. Though I haven’t tried them on, I have seen a pair in person and can confirm that the material has a plush yet sturdy knit, and that the “antique white” color will be appreciated by anyone who appreciates a Nancy Meyers aesthetic. The combination elastic and drawstring waist is especially appealing to me — a loose fit through the leg and a somewhat snug waist is what I tend to look for.
“I love Giu Giu so much — I have a ton of knitted basics from their clothing company,” says singer and model Anajah Hamilton. “Their items are extremely warm, and over time, the clothing takes shape of your body so that it fits you perfectly.” Hamilton says that this winter she’s been wearing the onyx-colored leggings, which are so warm that she can wear them “with a cute pair of boots and a sweater” to go outside with no need for added layers.
Posch also told us about Lunya’s silk-cotton waffle pants, which she calls “butter soft” and says she’s been “living in since late fall.” The pants come in what Posch refers to as “a perfect neutral camel color,” and have a looser cut (they’re also machine washable, even though they’re made from a silk-blend material).
[Editor’s note: These pants are sold out, but the coordinating Cozy Cotton Silk Waffle long-sleeve top is still available.]
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