The April 2012 issue of Harper’s Bazaar summarizes the scope of a surprising trend in a feature titled “Pajama Games”: “Head-to-toe sleepwear-as-daywear has dominated the runways of late, with matching sets from heavy hitters like Celine and Louis Vuitton. Barneys fashion director Amanda Brooks breaks up the ensemble, pairing her preferred Olatz pj shirts with black trousers or a pencil skirt for a trend update that’s anything but a yawn.”
In the above photo from Harper’s Bazaar, Brooks is pictured wearing a pajama top and pencil skirt with a slender bracelet.
Initially this look seems to have been identified as a resort wear option. For instance, the October 2011 issue of Marie Claire labeled pajamas an “instant classic.” Elana Fishman writes, “Call it the Hef Effect. Taking a cue from Playboy‘s satin-set-loving founder, designers are throwing a pajama party of their own. At Louis Vuitton leopard-spotted pj’s offer wild dreams-come-true, while Suno’s breezy beach-scaped jammies sweep wearers away to the tropics. More Parisian than couch potato, these drawstring trousers and collared tops pair perfectly with bedroom-inspired slippers for a look that works beyond the boudoir.” There was nary a piece of jewelry to be found in this early foray into pajama style.
Dressed for a holiday in the town of Bernalda in Southern Italy, film director Sofia Coppola is pictured in the November 2011 issue of Vogue wearing a pajama blouse and pants with matching loafers, plus a cardigan and bag, all from Louis Vuitton, accessorized with an unidentified chunky gold bracelet. Coppola herself is credited with both inspiring and suggesting the look based upon a photo of herself in lounge pants at age eight while on a family trip to Cannes. Emily Holt writes that, for Coppola, “packing for a vacation isn’t merely editing a closetful of clothes into a carry-on but conjuring a new identity to match the fantasy” and that she is “particularly excited about the blue leopard-print silk pajamas she’ll slip into when the neighbors come over for movie night.” About those pajamas Coppola comments: “They are very hostess-at-home in the grand style of women in another era, you know, a beautiful pajama set with a cocktail ring and their hair done. I’m usually not that formal.” “But this is a holiday,” writes Holt, “and in Bernalda, ‘getting dressed is part of the entertainment.'”
Lucky magazine tackled the pajama trend back in December 2011: “We were so inspired by Ferragamo’s relaxed, glamorous resort collection that we wanted to find a way to wear that pajama-chic look all the time. Here’s how we translated it into a totally stylish–and crazy-comfortable–office outfit.” The runway look from Salvatore Ferragamo is worn with a chunky bracelet. Lucky suggests a wristwatch of chunky gold links from R.J. Graziano to “enhance the menswear vibe.” The look upper right is styled to include bangle bracelets from Lisa Stewart, a Bulova watch, and a ring from Betty Carre.
Here is a sample of the “Street Pajamas” featured in the December 5, 2011 issue of New York magazine with the comment: “Out of the bedroom and onto the boulevard.” The garments pictured are from Art Dein, Tommy Hilfiger, and Piamita.
Pajama pants are one of the spring trends highlighted in the March 2012 issue of Elle. A runway look from Rag & Bone is shown upper left, worn with the collar and pendant combination I’ve previously written about. The magazine features pajama pants from BCBG Max Azria and Giuletta and also a pajama top from Rachel Roy. Wear it with a one-of-a-kind hammered brass pendant necklace with gemstones from Alex & Lee, suggests Elle.
The April 2012 issue of Glamour demonstrates five wardrobe updates, including a J.Crew pajama top with the comment “yes, you can wear it as clothing!” The PJ top is shown worn under a classic cardigan or peeking out from a preppy sweater, the latter look shown with long dangling earrings.
The Louis Vuitton pajamas are featured on Alexia Niedzielski as an example of matchy-matchy in the April 2012 issue of Vogue: “Head-to-toe prints take a stand this spring at Fashion Week and on the red carpet.”
How to accessorize pajama looks with jewelry appears to be as individual as the women who embrace this trend. However, to take the look out of the boudoir, adding earrings or a statement necklace or bracelet, a cocktail ring or perhaps a brooch or two confirms that this look is not about forgetting to get dressed for the day.
In case you haven’t yet explored the idea of wearing PJ’s to work, April 18 this year might provide the perfect opportunity: April 18 is “National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day.”
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