Sleepwear has gone through several iterations these past hundred years. A century ago, the standard was the pullover muslin nightshirt, which kept the wearer warm in an era without central heating - or rather it did so long as his tossing and turning did not pull it above his ears during sleep. That latter problem and better heating helped convert the majority of men to the coat and trouser pajama in the 1920s. The pajama's suitability for a lounge-around suit a la Hugh Hefner helped keep it the sleepwear standard for decades.
Relatively recently, changing retail economics has encouraged a shift from pajamas to shorts and tee shirts. Where pajamas required a store to stock a considerable inventory, shorts and a tee sold as separates mean that a few sizes fit most men and dramatically reduce the store's investment in inventory. Further, the simple construction and reduced cloth requirements mean considerably lower prices. The combination has relegated the pajama to a specialty item.
All of this presupposes that a man wears some form of sleepwear in the first place, of course. The young often dispense with it altogether, at least until they have children running around and grandparents visiting. But though we may be warm enough in our dwellings these days to dispense with clothing, nudity leaves most people feeling just a little vulnerable. Even a towel makes us considerably more confident in the face of unexpected visitors (Mr. Bond's handgun is probably a step too far).
For myself, I still prefer pajamas. I can waken, take my coffee and sit down to read without dressing, and without catching cold in the frigid temperatures my wife insists upon at home. I still get them in linen from Joe Hemrajani
Off the movie set, towels simply do not fit well enough.
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5 comments:
Interesting post, and timely, given that the weather seems to be favoring our warmer weather desires. (I say this for those states that experience colder weather in the winter.)
I do think that pajamas have their time and place. They're an understated and underappreciated set of garments. I'm a woman, and I go between something light or nothing at all. This does mean I have to throw on some sort of clothing in the morning. I find that I toss and turn a bit while sleeping, so having less on helps with the tangling I occasionally experience.
Good post. Another reason for every man to own at least one nice pair is when a guest in someone else's home. It is nice to have something appropriate on for those late night restroom runs. I find vacation another time when a pair is needed, especially if going on vacation with friends, extended family, etc.
I am, and have always been, a dedicated pajama wearer. I cannot imagine being able to sleep comfortably without something on--top and bottom.
I have lightweight short pajamas for warm weather, lightweight long pajamas for temperate weather, and flannel pajamas for cold. Unfortunately, due in part to the reasons Will outlined in this article, I find myself unable to find satisfactory pajamas in the States (where even if they're available they're seldom 100% cotton), so my entire collection was purchased abroad.
Tailor-made pajamas? Sweet dreams indeed!
I'm also a pyjama wearer, mostly cotton and one thicker, flannel pair. I've never experienced the sort of garotting and constriction a lot of people tend to report from wearing pyjamas. I suspect they wear them the wrong size.
I am another firmly in the pajama camp. Wish the spouse and the offspring could be convinced of the virtues of pajamas. They are firmly in the "boxers and a T" camp unless it's really cold, then it's sweatpants. Will, your linen pajamas sound lovely. I shall put that on my sewing "to do" list.
Theresa in Tucson
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