Dare to wear pyjamas in public
SOME fashion trends seem to exist purely to test and flummox the nation. It’s a lesson Kate Garraway learned the hard way last week when she wore the latest ‘challenging’ fashion item, a pyjama shirt, to host Good Morning Britain.
The pale blue, embroidered number, £36 from Next, quickly sent Twitter — and even her bemused co-host Ben Shepherd — into meltdown. Apoplexy ensued, as many wondered aloud if she’d forgotten to get dressed. But while a fair few viewers were outraged, just as many were openly admiring. Yes, like all the best, most controversial trends, pyjama dressing has its legions of fans.
At which point I’ll happily declare my hand. I remember exactly when I first fell in love with the ‘PJs as daywear’ look.
It was a Wednesday afternoon, around 2.30pm, Paris, March 2013. I was sitting front row, waiting for the Miu Miu show to begin and there, sitting directly opposite me was designer Marc Jacobs. In his pyjamas. He didn’t look sleepy or in any way slovenly. In flame-red, head-to-toe florals, he looked glorious.
What looked to me then like a fabulously bold and brave sartorial choice has, three years on, endured and become firmly mainstream. And like many of the more adventurous trends, it’s only taken a few swift seasons for us to adjust.
Of course, so many of these lavish prints and luxe fabrics are just too gorgeous to keep hidden between the sheets, and it was only a matter of time before the humble PJs were dragged from under the pillow to take the spotlight at all hours of the day.
CAN anyone pull on PJs and leave the house? I certainly think so, They are chic and beautiful, but the bottom line is, they’re fantastically comfortable. Yes, rejoice, the pyjama trend has, miraculously, made best friends of traditional fashion enemies, glamour and practicality.
It’s hard to know what the best part about wearing a pair of silk PJ bottoms to a fancy fashion dinner is — either the compliments for the intricate, pretty pattern, or the fact that you’re in public both suitably dressed up and wearing an elasticated waist. (Yes, I will have another mini pizzetta with my Prosecco, thank you.)
Of course, the line between casual and sloppy can be tricky to define. But the loose, lessstructured fit is flattering to a good range of body shapes and a few simple rules will make you look effortlessly glamorous, rather than well, like you’ve just tumbled out of bed.
I realise most people won’t really be up for wearing the full head-to-toe combo, and granted there probably aren’t too many places outside the office of a fashion magazine where that won’t feel a bit weird. But when it comes to pyjama shirts, the more lavish the print the better — it immediately indicates you’ve made a deliberate decision, rather than just forgot to get dressed.
Colour and pattern elevate the PJ shirt from its humble functionality. As do finer details such as a contrasting piping on hems and collars. Speaking of collars, look for a more consid- ered cut, something smaller than the traditional over-sized look of a bed shirt. And pay attention to fabrics. Silky, satin finishes raise the game from bog-standard flannel.
New Look has a beautiful blue tile print that ticks all those boxes and for an amazing £17.99, while Dorothy Perkins’ cute strawberry print shirt, £24, is a subtle nod to the trend that you can wear to work without a pursed lip from HR.
Annoyingly, Kate Garraway’s PJ moment means I’m finding it hard to get my hands on that Next number. It’s exactly the sort of bold piece I look for to instantly dress up my old faithful black trousers. Extra fashion points too for its nod to Gucci, the label credited with much of the current love affair with luxe, maximalist loungewear.
If it’s a floaty pair of PJ bottoms you want, make sure they’re bought into line with a dressy shoe.
I’m in love with Essentiel Antwerp’s loose-fitting paisley pair, £145 (essential-antwerp.com). I find these trousers work best — for day or night — with a simple, block-heeled sandal, preferably something metallic.
Once you have your details nailed, there are no limits to where a PJ shirt can go – they’re equally at home with anything else in your wardrobe; they’ll give a bit of extra polish to your favourite jeans or add a bit of quirky fun for cocktail hour.
If, like me, you are game for the head-to-toe look, try J Crew’s amazing pink and green Bengal tiger-print set (blouse and trousers, £198 each).
Accessories will be key. With fashion week soon approaching, I’ll add a strappy heel and a bonkers cocktail ring and go straight from a show to a fashion week dinner. It’s bold but that’s why I love it.
Besides, as you can see, the PJs with elevated status come with an elevated price tag. What a terrible waste it would be to only wear them to bed.
Jo Elvin is editor of Glamour. Sarah Mower returns next week