Life in Pajamas

What Do I Think About the Possible Louisiana Ban on Pajamas in Public? Glad You Asked!

When the headline first appeared in my Google Alerts that a parish in Louisiana was attempting to enforce a ban on wearing pajamas in public, I barely gave it a second glance. Unfortunately, wearing pajamas in public seems to be a hot topic these days. Even today's  Wall Street Journal tackles the topic. We've heard recently of schools banning its students, or even parents, from wearing pajamas on its premises and now this prospective anti pajama legislation in Louisiana.

 

But as I read more about Caddo Parish District 3 Commissioner Michael Williams’ attempt to push through an ordinance that would prohibit anyone from appearing in public wearing “a garment sold in the sleepwear section of department stores,” I realized this was emblematic of a more concerning trend in our country.

 

Now, I’m not just saying this because I happen to own an online store which sells only sleepwear apparel. I am saying this because I believe clothing is one of the greatest forms of personal expression in our modern world. And personal expression is something that must never be limited in a successful democracy.

 

I founded The Pajama Company eight years ago because after a career in the fashion industry in New York and living and traveling abroad working for an international women’s NGO, I realized pajamas were my favorite type of clothing. After two decades of wearing power suits and dresses, I found pajamas were what I wore to feel my most creative, to feel my most comfortable and to express myself most fully. I've done my best work in pajamas.

 

That kind of power should never be taken away from the people.

 

Now perhaps you are reading this news and agree that kids wearing plaid pants in public is distasteful. Chances are you would also frown upon boys wearing baggy pants or girls in short skirts with heels. I personally am not a fan of men in basketball shorts or women in leopard print. Fortunately, in America we all have the right to make our own judgments, to share our thoughts with our friends or our social networks. We can celebrate the ridiculousness of the fashion choices of people we see on the street on sites like People of Walmart or on shows like What Not To Wear. But we would never walk up to those people and tell them to change their clothes. We would be dismayed to see them charged with a crime based on their choice of apparel.

 

As we learn from TLC’s Stacy and Clinton any item of clothing can be manipulated to look either tacky or stylish. For me, there is nothing better than putting on a crisp pair of pajamas with mascara and a great pair of boots or flats.

 

And I know I’m not the only one who feels that way. Pajamas and items sold in the “sleepwear section” of stores have recently been worn on the red carpet by the likes of style icons Rachel Roy and Ryan Gosling and highlighted by fashion columnists and bloggers. In November, Marie Claire ran a slide show touting the latest trend of pajamas in fashion with a subhead reading “there’s nothing sleepy about this timeliness trend: Loungewear wakes up to luxe.”  Glamour instructed its readers to look fashionable by staying in pajamas over the weekend. Even Prada designed a line of high end pajamas, which are definitely not meant to be concealed in the bedroom.

 

And how dangerous can pajamas be when a pastor of a church in Toledo sponsored it's second annual "Pajama Pants Sunday" last week?

 

Williams cited citizens’ uncomfortableness with the trend of public pajama wearing as his reasoning for the ban.

 

For a child of the 1960’s like myself, there is something especially uncomfortably familiar with an authority figure attempting to ban youth from exhibiting a fashion trend for fear of what it represents. 

 

How is this different than schools and businesses banning young men from wearing their hair long in the 1960’s or schools preventing kids from wearing denim in the 1950’s? For that matter, it is even reminiscent of a time when women wearing pants was frowned upon in public. 

 

It's nice to see that Commissioner Williams doesn't feel the "crime" of wearing pajamas warrants jail time, merely community service. Who joins me in cheering pajama clad citizens who already affect good in our society, who already volunteer in their local communities?

 

Last year a high school in Vermont banned pajamas in school claiming pajamas inhibited students’ work ethic.

 

I imagine the legions of bloggers and those who work from home would take issue with that statement.

 

Whether you think pajamas are appropriate daily attire is for you to decide. As for me, please excuse me while I put on my pretty striped cotton pajama pants and get back to work.

Today I'm Working in Pajamas

Yup, today I'm working in pajamas.  Working in pajamas is nothing new for me, I've loved pajamas for years and thinking back on it, I've done some of my best work in pajamas.  I've had some of my best ideas in pajamas.  I've written some of my best tweets and blog posts in pajamas. I thought of starting a pajama company wearing pajamas. I love to be comfy, I love to lounge.  I'm not sloppy, my pj's are fabulous.  My pj's are fun prints, my pj's are wonderful cottons. My pj's are often ironed, crisp and fresh.  I wear mascara and pink lipgloss with my pj's. 

I know I'm not the only one working happily in my pj's.  I think there are a lot of us out there creating, writing, innovating everyday in pj's.  I love to say that I'm pretty lazy, I love to lounge. Being lazy is really a state of mind, it's being comfy, it's settling into a great chair in pj's and laptop ready to work.  Being lazy is a virtue. As Pooh Bear famously said,  “Rivers know this: there is no hurry. We shall get there some day.”  Sometimes slowing down the pace of life is so productive. 

So today, cheers to all of us working in pajamas.  Cheers to all of us creating, writing, thinking in pajamas.  Today is our day.

10 Things To Do In Pajamas...Plus 2 More

Here are 10 things to do in Pajamas. What would you add to the list?

1,  Write a Blog Post

2.  Shop...online!

3.  Garden

4.  Cook

5.  Watch Seinfeld reruns

6.  Work all day

7.  Go on a date...a pajama date

8.  Take The SAT

9.  Dream

10.  Sleep

+1 Open presents on Christmas Morning

+2 Pose for Christmas Picture in Matching Family Pajamas

P.J. Salvage First Annual National Seep-In Day!

One of of our favorite pajama peeps, P.J. Salvage is sponsoring it's first annual national Sleep-In Day this Saturday, February 19.  P.J. Salvage encourages us to take the morning to sleep-in to recuperate from everyday daily stresses and general lack of sleep.  P.J. Salvage hopes to highlight the benefits of getting enough sleep including:  improving overall health, strengthening our overall awareness and reaction speeds and improving physical fitness.  National Sleep-in Day is P.J. Salvage's fun and interesting way to bring light to the benefits of sleep and the influential role proper sleepwear can play in regulating sleep patterns.

In conjunction with National Sleep-in Day, P.J. Salvage will donate 500 pairs of pajamas to Pajama Program, a non-profit organization that provides new pajamas and new books to chilren in need in the United States and around the world in orphanages, group homes and shelters.  P.J. Salvage will make donations in New York City and Los Angeles as well as encourage the company's nationwide retailers to participate in the donation.

So join in the fun and Sleep-In this Saturday!  Do it for your own health and wll being!  Sleep for a good cause is just...good!

Pajama Company CEO stand Up For Pajama Clad Teens

Recent trends of teens wearing pajamas to school have got some administrators up in arms.  Teachers, principles, and parents are saying students coming to school in flannel pants or even slippers look sloppy and inappropriate. 

However, Ellie Badanes, CEO of website thepajamacompany.com says this is a perfectly acceptable trend.  “I love seeing pajamas at school,” she says, “Nothing sloppy going on, no, we call it trendy.”

She advises teens and tweens who are looking for a perfect combination of trendy and comfortable to pair a pajama pant with their favourite tee-shirt and flip flops or comfy boots.

Those timid or unsure about the idea she says should check out the teens and tweens section of her website www.thepajamacompany.com for some examples.

“Pajamas aren't just for sleeping anymore.  They go where you go and if you're a teen or tween we've seen them going everywhere!”

 

Pajamas as Holiday Money Savers? Who Knew!

Who would have ever considered a set of pajamas as a holiday money saving opportunity – but this holiday season, that is exactly what everyone’s favorite sleep wear is shaping up to be.  The popularity of pajamas as presents is climbing, especially with the rising costs of heating and every-day clothing.  Many families are lowering the thermostat this winter, resulting in parents and children bundling up at night.  As for daily wear, pre-teens and older are wearing sleep shirts and especially sleep pants as daywear.

 

Many families aren’t able to afford purchasing those “just for fun” gifts, so they are turning to pajamas to fit that need.  The wide variety of styles and designs available practically ensure that parents can find pajamas that reflect the personalities and interests of their children.

 

In addition to pajamas being a popular item this holiday season, pajama-centric activities are also seeing an increase.  Instead of traveling this year, or putting expense into extravagant decorations and meals, families are spending time getting into their pajamas to bake cookies, cakes, and other treats for the holidays.

 

Parents and children are also donning pajamas for family film nights.  Some popcorn, warm apple cider, and classic holiday films can make for a special evening at home.  Pajamas are turning into this year’s big holiday money saver and fun maker – who knew?

Fashion Police in China: No Pajamas

The "Fashion Police" in China have deemed that men wearing "pajamas" (seems to be a "man problem") in public is totally unacceptable.  It's been common knowledge for a very long time that men in pajamas is perfectly normal on the streets of Beijing. There, pajamas are streetwear, day wear.  All is good.  But maybe not for these two weeks. For these two weeks, "No Pajamas" is the rule.   I guess we can live with that for a short time.  After all, we are busy watching the Olympics ourselves in our pajamas!!   Just let us know when the world is back to normal.  We, pajama people, need to know!   In the mean time,  congrats to all the athletes.  We cheer you from our couches!

Put Your Pajamas On and Get To Work!

So, I've just done the morning routine, showered, moisturized, dressed and put on makeup.  I've poured my cup of coffee and sat down at my desk to start the day.  What am I wearing to work today you wonder??  Well, only the most fabulous perfect pair of flannel pajama pants from Frankie & Johnny with my perfect white long sleeved tee.  Today, I've chosen the pretty mint green  "Snow Bunnies"  which are so fresh and happy.  No, they weren't crumbled up in the bottom of my closet.  They were clean, folded and ready for work!

It's the perfect month for a "Pajama Day"!

    Daylight hours are short, there's a chill in the air, the holiday rush has come and gone leaving a lingering sense of sleepiness....it's time for a "Pajama Day"!  Use your day off to catch up on some much needed zzz's and chill out in your favorite comfy, cozy pj's. We all know that grabbing a few extra hours of sleep is a huge health benefit.   We love our Footies from Big Feet and Footzies or some wonderful  flannels for her,  for kids, for him or for teens and tweens.  And snuggle socks just make everything a little more cozy.  Create some January memories by declaring a "Pajama Day" for your family! 

Life in Pajamas

Life in pajamas...that kind of says it all.  Pajamas are, well, just nice.  I admit it, I work in pajamas.  I live in pajamas and I have the best excuse of all for this good habit.  My business is pajamas!  I work everyday on my internet store, my online world, www.ThePajamaCompany.com .  Doesn't it make perfect sense to work in pajamas?  Even if you're not in the pajama business?  I've always done my best work in pajamas...well before my pajama business days.  Everything is just less tense in pj's.  Everything is a little happier, a little nicer.  Books are more enjoyable, coffee tastes better, tea is more piping, diet coke is colder and snappier, magazines are more glossy, movies are more vivid, couches are more comfy, well...it goes on and on doesn't it!