Any old t-shirt, sweatpants, or torn boxers have been declared the favorite outfit for pajamas to sleep in or to be comfortable at home. This is how men have dressed today, after leaving behind their childhood football pajamas. But really, the origins of pajamas started in a very different way, and it has taken a turn that is totally worth evaluating and discussing how this piece of clothing is seeking to redeem itself.
The contemporary man has adopted the same behavior pattern regarding the use of pajamas: they tend to combine an old shirt with shorts. And it is that a survey conducted in 2004 by ABC News found that only 13 percent of men wore clothing intended for resting, but even so, this percentage was on the decline.
And what happened with the pajamas?
So, we need to start asking ourselves, what happened to pajamas? What do we know about those two-piece garments that, in case you didn't know, provide a myriad of benefits when it comes to sleeping?
Well, according to historians in the world of textile manufacturing, they claim that pajamas are not dead. Currently, somewhere in the world, pajama sets are being sold at a high price. Of course, there are also more economical options, but whether men wear them or not is a different topic.
Here, a study by the pajama company Sleep Jones has revealed that only half of its customers wear their pajamas when going to sleep.
"Pajamas are a fashion statement now," say experts in fashion and design at The New School. They add that they are still part of men's wardrobes; the only difference is that these garments are more likely to be found in the closets of the upper-class citizens, while the average middle-class young people opt for the famous old shirt and boxers.
Beginnings of Pajamas: What was it like before?
It's funny because that's how the pajama movement started in its early days. Originally, pajamas come from Indian fashion. During the days of the British period, the colonists observed lightweight, drawstring-less pants and agreed that they looked quite comfortable and very nice, so they took them back to England with them.
Therefore, among the upper class, pajamas would be paired with a jacket to avoid wearing a nightgown.
Previously, men and women used the same thing to go to sleep. On one hand, we saw a nightgown that extended almost to the floor. Meanwhile, for the lower class, we observed the same garment, but it tended to be a little shorter as it could be the same shirt they used to go to work during the day.
Some time later, we would see what is known as "the dressing gown". This outfit became a popular garment among the wealthy who often met at home with their own family and friends. They were designed with beautiful fabrics and included intricate designs, thus becoming a status symbol throughout Europe and America.
At this knit, for the lower class, the nightgown continued to be their main sleepwear, until a few decades into the 20th century, as it was the warmest way to dress at home, before central heating. The high collar, wide sleeves, and mid-calf or slightly longer length would be the most viable option to stay warm, unlike two-piece sets. It would not be until 1920 that pajamas would broaden their horizons a bit more among mainstream trends.
Once central heating was established, sleepwear suddenly took on a different focus and was now seen as a fashion issue, rather than being practical, and the designs began to reflect various trends. While at first there was a lot of influence from Middle Eastern design, by the 1930s, more pajamas with a more regal look emerged, inspired mainly by Russian military clothing.
1950s
By 1950, the stylish pajamas that set the trend were being replaced by garments with more comfortable and informal styles made with elastic knit fabrics on top and finer cotton cloth pants. With this, basically, with cheaper fabrics came greater accessibility, marking the death of the nightgown.
As time went by, not only did the fabrics evolve, but also the imposed colors; stripes, polka dots, and any other type of designs made their way into pajamas. Furthermore, with the rise of radio and then television, this trend was fueled, and there was much discussion about what to wear for lounging at home.
From the 70s to the 80s
In the 1970s, things changed and there was a resurgence of grandfather-style nightgowns and shiny satin loungewear sets. This decade also marked the curious trend of multipurpose clothing that could be worn both at work and in the nightclub. Following that, sportswear, which was intended to be worn in the gym, made its way to the streets, especially during the 1980s and beyond.
The dress code had already been strongly altered and the pajama set would become a victim. By the 1950s and 1960s, a working-class man could come home and fall into a routine quite similar to that of an aristocrat, in which he would take off his suit and put on a more comfortable sweater, before changing to go to bed.
However, as the pace of life accelerated, the popularity of wearing pajamas declined. From the 1970s and 1980s onward, men were more likely to come home directly to put on a pair of sweatpants or shorts and had no further reason to change after that.
Now, nowadays, a much faster lifestyle is observed, where dinner is taken in front of the television and phone calls are made while in the bathroom, thus breaking all kinds of decorum rules.
Expert Opinion
While some experts talk about the fall of the conventional norms that are known, designers point to it as the rise of democracy. As a more open society develops and the walls of classes crumble, along with the pomp and formality.
Perhaps, then, in a time when they perceive the erosion of democracy, could pajamas make a comeback? Well, nowadays within the fashion industry, there is something called "the return of elegance," where we see formality returning to the way we dress.
For years, men's fashion runways have been walked by men in hoodies and sweatpants, but as an antidote to that, some designers have chosen to go in another direction. Perhaps a future can be seen in another direction and that more formal attire may be revived.
After this reflection, our purpose has always been for you to find in our pajamas the ideal garment for being at home and for sleeping. Don't hesitate, visit our website El Búho Nocturno and you will understand.