Pajamas: A Brief History

Pajamas, deriving from the word pyjama, which became integrated into the English language in the year 1800 via Hindustani (though the actual term pajama is Persian meaning ‘leg garment’), and became used worldwide through British occupation of India and their worldwide influence.

Pajamas had been introduced to the English as early as the seventeenth century as ‘lounging attire’, and were commonly used as day-wear in India. They didn't really catch on as a fashion though in the Western world in the Victorian Era until around 1870, and even then, only as sleepwear for men. In the Middle East and India, pajamas had been worn by both classes, but had only been in fashion for men in the British Empire. Over time, this gradually changed, and they evolved into not just being suitable for men and women, but as a general fashion.

Celebrities were a large part of the reason for why it became popular to wear pajamas in public. Very big names like Ryan Gosling and Rihanna could be spotted at major events sporting sleepwear. Thanks to the internet and the tabloids, this naturally got noted by everyone and subsequently, and unsurprisingly, imitated by the masses. It ended up becoming very popular to wear sleepwear in public but as a result, took criticism from some groups, including politicians.

In 2012, a commissioner in Louisiana by the name of Michael Williams actually proposed an ordinance to ban students from wearing pajamas in public schools. He viewed it, and perhaps rightfully so, as a slippery slope in regard to our moral fabric where today it may be loose-fitting pajamas, but tomorrow it could be underwear. His logic was if it didn't stop with pajamas, then when would it? 

Many schools nowadays don’t allow students to wear pajamas and put official bans in place within the school dress code. This is largely due to the fact that many pajamas can be very loose fitting, and as a result, it can be easy to have wardrobe malfunctions with them. That’s part of the reason why it’s so important to make sure you are well contained in whatever pajamas you choose to wear in public. Some wardrobe malfunctions after all, can be a felony.