It's now been a year since we went into the COVID-19 alert level 4 lockdown, and to say life has changed in that time is an understatement.
We've all exhausted our sourdough recipes, we're well-versed in a Zoom call and our idea of what's 'acceptable' to wear to work has changed.
Uncomfortable pant suits, high heeled shoes, tops so tight it's tough to breathe - they've all been ditched and instead matching loungewear 'sets' and clothing that can be worn from bed to brunch is in.
The impact of the pandemic and all our time spent indoors meant the Washington Post even dubbed the current era as "our pyjama moment".
So is sleepwear the new activewear? Will this year be marked by people going about their daily tasks in a comfortable jimjam set with no inclination of hitting the hay, just as we have seen happen with sports bras and leggings? That's the goal of one local sleepwear designer, Greta Van Der Star, who created sleepwear brand General Sleep with her friend Bailey Meredith.
All of the brand's pyjamas, including the new Winona collection, are about 'multifunctional dressing' - a phenomenon that has seen a significant rise since the pandemic.
Van Der Star told Newshub their new Winona collection was inspired by a now-iconic image series of actress Winona Ryder chilling in bed wearing a set of flannel pjs.
"It looks like the ultimate comfort and that was the starting point for the new set we wanted to design: oversized and comfortable but still looks cool - like you could pull on trainers and walk out of the house if you wanted to," she said.
The sleepwear designer and mother explained she believes the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent lockdowns played a large part in societal shift on how we're dressing for comfort.
"We've always believed a well designed garment should be multifunctional, and this year because we've been encouraged to stay at home we've spent unusual amounts of time in our living rooms - technology has taken this massive leap forward and our living rooms have become our offices," she reflected.
"People have looked for balance: you know you want to wear something comfy but you still want to feel good and feel like yourself."
Van Der Star says she's been pairing their oversized Winona sleep shirt with jeans, or living in her 'Camilla' set - boxy shirt cropped shirt boxer style shorts - for "mooching" around the house.
But not all sleepwear is created equal. Van Der Star and Meredith 's designs might be considered 'masculine' given a lot of sleepwear targeted at women is full of synthetic 'silk' and uncomfortable lace.
"When we started it was out of frustration because we couldn't find that happy medium - everything was very patterned or made with synthetic fabrics. For us it was about striking the balance between comfort and something we would actually want to wear."
