The Pajamas Trend

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by Slate Article

Pajamas are on the rise. Across the land, according to the Wall Street Journal, teenagers have taken to wearing PJs all day, even in public—even to school! Apparel companies like Abercrombie & Fitch and American Eagle are cashing in on the trend, stocking their stores with leggings and sweatpants and other comfortable, flowy, elastic waistbanded apparel. Pajamas are even popping up in high fashion: Here's Sofia Coppola happily, gorgeously stepping outside during the day in Louis Vuitton pajamas, and here’s designer Rachel Roy attending a movie premiere in her own brand of jammies. Last week Shopbop.com, a women’s clothing site that tracks new “looks,” exhorted its customers to “get comfortable with pajama dressing.”....

As you might expect, a whole lot of silly and just-plain-mean people aren’t happy about this nascent pajama craze. A number of school districts have banned sleeping clothes on the theory that they somehow inhibit students’ motivation. The idea, I guess, is that taking the time to dress up for school makes you ready to learn—which sounds plausible until you think about it for five seconds. Isn’t spending time worrying about what you’ll wear an even bigger distraction from academics?

http://www.slate.com/articles/life/a...al_fiber_.html

GCers, what do you think about wearing pajamas actually becoming a trend?

[DrPhil]

When I was in college, a few students occasionally wore pajama bottoms to early morning classes. However, that was considered inappropriate at the other PWIs that I attended and inappropriate (and in violation of school codes) at the HBCUs that I am familiar with.


Contrary to this article, I do not find having a problem with a pajama trend to be silly or mean. People who want to run to the store in clean and appropriately fitting pajama bottoms are free to do so. College students who want to wear clean and appropriately fitting pajama bottoms to early morning class, and the campus culture and policies are conducive to that, are free to do so. However, I am not a fan of most mainstream trends. I do NOT agree with high school students (those who have actual clothes) wearing pajamas to school. I do NOT agree with employees (those who have actual clothes) who work away from home wearing pajamas to work.

[carnation]

While walking through the courthouse recently, I saw a new sign that said, "Do NOT wear pajamas or hair rollers into the courtroom." at the idea that anyone would wear either but it must have been an issue to have the sign put up.

[BraveMaroon]

I'm onsite with a customer, and she walked into our training class yesterday in Pajama Jeans. If she'd worn the exact same style, cut and fabric in plain black, I probably wouldn't have noticed, but the screen printed rivets, top-stitching, etc. was bizarre.

I'm allowed to wear jeans into the office, and if appropriate, I'd wear them to a customer visit. But I buy the really dark denim in a trouser cut and always wear them with dressier shoes and a nice top, jacket - whatever.

Granted, her company is very casual, but it seems to me that the bar keeps going lower and lower...

Now, outside of that I see women in the grocery store in pajamas every time I go. To the point where I don't even think about it anymore.

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by carnation

While walking through the courthouse recently, I saw a new sign that said, "Do NOT wear pajamas or hair rollers into the courtroom." at the idea that anyone would wear either but it must have been an issue to have the sign put up.

Funny enough, I was at a child support administrative hearing yesterday and saw one fella (I'm guessing a father) who showed up to his hearing in PJs.

I suppose that's in the same league as the folks I see showing up to their criminal arraignments in Crown Royal gear.

[AlphaFrog]

I have a pair of really well-made flannel pj pants that I get away with wearing in public (and get tons of compliments on, actually), and I have a pair of fleece pants that I'll wear to the store, Thursday night church choir practice, etc but not work or the like. They are both nice on "fat days" - ladies, you know what I mean.

As for them being an actual FASHION trend? Better than crocs, and neon leggings with different color neon skirts, jeggings and banana clips...worse than Uggs, Vera, and Wet Seal.

[ForeverRoses]

I didn't know this was a new thing. I remember my nieces all wearing flannel PJ bottoms with various tee shirts to middle school (6-8 years ago).

[DrPhil]

Originally Posted by ForeverRoses

I didn't know this was a new thing. I remember my nieces all wearing flannel PJ bottoms with various tee shirts to middle school (6-8 years ago).

Pajamas being seen as a fashionable and acceptable thing to wear is a new thing.

People trying to wear pajamas to the store or as a rebellious or lazy student statement is an old thing. As far as most outsiders are concerned, your nieces' flannel and tshirts were more rebellious and lazy than stylish. The college students who wore pajama bottoms on my campus (13-17 years ago) were not the least bit fashionable or stylish.

[ForeverRoses]

Originally Posted by DrPhil

Pajamas being seen as a fashionable and acceptable thing to wear is a new thing.

People trying to wear pajamas to the store or as a rebellious or lazy student statement is an old thing. As far as most outsiders are concerned, your nieces' flannel and tshirts were more rebellious and lazy than stylish. The college students who wore pajama bottoms on my campus (13-17 years ago) were not the least bit fashionable or stylish.

good point.

A friend of mine who is a flight attendant was telling be about some high school/early college aged girls who flew on her plane over the holidays; they showed up at the gate in full lengh zip-up footie PJs. I think that might be taking the PJ trend a bit far.

[amIblue?]

I put some form of pajamas home pretty much as soon as I'm home and in for the night every day. That being said, I would never, EVER go out in public in pajamas.

[ASTalumna06]

Originally Posted by carnation

While walking through the courthouse recently, I saw a new sign that said, "Do NOT wear pajamas or hair rollers into the courtroom." at the idea that anyone would wear either but it must have been an issue to have the sign put up.

When I was in college, I had to go to two different court proceedings of my choosing. One of them was about a restraining order/kid visitation rights. The guy showed up in a button-down, short-sleeved shirt and jeans that were riding just a little too low.. but the woman.. she was wearing a bright pink pajama "outfit" (with pants and zippered sweatshirt). She looked like a giant marshmellow peep! Awful. I was SHOCKED when I saw her walk in. If I was the one up there trying to get the judge on my side, I'd probably try to look halfway decent.

Originally Posted by BraveMaroon

I'm allowed to wear jeans into the office, and if appropriate, I'd wear them to a customer visit. But I buy the really dark denim in a trouser cut and always wear them with dressier shoes and a nice top, jacket - whatever.

Granted, her company is very casual, but it seems to me that the bar keeps going lower and lower...

I've worked at my company for nearly 2 years, and on casual Friday, I always wear something similar to what you've described above. But there have been numerous emails that have gone out over those 24 months about what's appropriate attire in the workplace.. Because everyone dresses like a) they just woke up, b) they're heading to the beach, and/or c) they just don't care at all.

Originally Posted by amIblue?

I put some form of pajamas home pretty much as soon as I'm home and in for the night every day. That being said, I would never, EVER go out in public in pajamas.

Me either! And I hate going out without a shower. Of course we've all had those moments where we have to do it, but no shower and/or pajamas and/or hair not done is all synonymous with me feeling gross/lazy.

And IMO, the fact that these trendy stores/brands are making "cool" pajamas doesn't make it ok. Because to most people, it doesn't simply transfer over to going to the grocery store in comfy pants. Instead, they go to work, school, court, a play, a restaurant, etc. looking like they just rolled out of bed.

[AOII Angel]

A council member in Shreveport, LA is actually trying to outlaw the practice of wearing pajamas in public lest they scandalize the non-pajama wearing public. I've been known to wear pajamas to walk to my parent's mailbox at the end of the driveway to get the mail, but that's about it. Outlawing a practice that is silly but not indecent is IMHO silly.

[33girl]

I think Slate is about 10 years too late to pick up this "trend." Of course, you have to realize that there are different kinds of pajamas now than there were 10-20 years ago. There's a big difference between one of my sisters going to Perkins in her Garfield nightgown, and going to the store in thick flannel bottoms and a "lounge" top like what AF described. Those aren't any worse than sweatpants and some of the things in the pajama dept at Target look like regular clothes to me.

I mean let's all remember the boxer shorts trend...when women were wearing boxers EVERYWHERE...and when guys wore short shorts with the boxers hanging underneath. At least this keeps you covered up.

But yeah, wearing pajamas to work or court or a movie premiere isn't any more appropriate than wearing sweatpants.

[victoriana]

Ew to all of this. The whole yoga pants trend was bad enough, but now pajamas in public? That's just silly. First impressions definitely matter, and if you roll up in some Hello Kitty PJ pants and some thin, trashy shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch, I'm definitely going to judge you. If you don't care enough about how people perceive you to wear real clothes and put effort into your appearance, then that's just sad. I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a snob when it comes to this, but I'm the kind of girl who wouldn't be caught dead outside my apartment with sweatpants, let alone my pajamas.

[agzg]

Originally Posted by victoriana

Ew to all of this. The whole yoga pants trend was bad enough, but now pajamas in public? That's just silly. First impressions definitely matter, and if you roll up in some Hello Kitty PJ pants and some thin, trashy shirt from Abercrombie and Fitch, I'm definitely going to judge you. If you don't care enough about how people perceive you to wear real clothes and put effort into your appearance, then that's just sad. I guess you could say I'm somewhat of a snob when it comes to this, but I'm the kind of girl who wouldn't be caught dead outside my apartment with sweatpants, let alone my pajamas.

Say what you will but I refuse to fly in anything other than Yoga pants, and nothing is better under a skirt but over tights on morning commutes that are super cold.