Fashion trend: Pajama chic

“Ooh, I’m out in my pajamas” shouldn’t bother you any longer because the world of fashion is enthusiastically embracing pajamas style of dressing. In the nightwear as daywear arena, designers and brands like Celine, Givenchy, Alexander Wang, Jonathan Saunders and others are offering an elevated and ethereal take on this relaxed look. Think silky, boudoir-inspired blouses instead of jersey performance tanks and smoking slippers over statement sneakers.
“Sleepwear is chic wear in the coolest closets,” share designer duo Hemant and Nandita, who attribute the emergence of pajama pants on the streets to the widespread acceptance of track pants as fashion. They add, “More chic than yoga wear and just as forgiving, pajamas are surprisingly versatile and can make sense as day wear or formal wear. It’s a languid, approachable way of addressing this season’s new eccentricity dressing. Stripes, florals and foulard prints, shimmering satins and piped-edge details all add up to a fashion trend that translates as casually cool, day into evening.”

Pajama dressing has remained a constant in fashion’s revolving door of trends explains designer Neeta Lulla. “First, there were hints of it with silky bottoms and drawstring elastics one season, and then flourishes of lace trimming pretty camis and slip dress in the next. And now, designers have taken the trend to a literal level for spring with full pajama sets and robes, piped pajama shirts, pretty night time chemises and little lace things. Though it has been about 100 years since Coco Chanel made pajamas a fashion statement, the look is as fresh as ever thanks to well-accomplished interpretations on the theme,” she shares.

Go for tailored sensual lace, sheers and silks, comforter-turned-coats, silk printed pajamas, flattering and luxe mink coat cut like a terry cloth robe or a romantic, old Hollywood-inspired crushed velvet gown-like robe, suggests designer Pallavi Mohan and quips that you don’t have to step out in a full-on nighty to try this trend yourself. She says, “Pick one pajama-inspired piece and mix it in with your favourite essentials. Pair a pajama top with a pair of pleated trousers in the daytime. Edge up a silk wrap dress with a jet-black motto jacket in the evening. The key to nailing this trend is dressing for comfort while keeping it simple and sleek.”

Designer Poonam Bhagat  agrees and says that high fashion doesn’t get much more practical or comfortable than this. She explains, “Pajama tops are a roomy version of a buttoned shirt or blouse; they’re easy to wear tucked into pants or a skirt or left loosely untucked. Pajama-style pants are forgiving enough to work for many figures. The best fits are slightly tailored with a firm flat waistband in front and elastic at the back.”

Talking about accessorisation, designers Lalit Dalmia and Sakshi Gupta emphasis that careful accessorising is a key element of success in the pajamas-in-public look. “The most important thing for women and men to keep in mind when looking to sport the sleep-wear look in the waking world is contrast,” shares Lalit and Sakshi notes, “As with any look that borders on outré, it takes a deft touch to avoid looking like a fashion victim when heading out the door in pajamas. Remember: No childish prints. Leave the teddy bears for bed. Go light on the jewellery.  Dressy heels or flat sandals are a must and don’t pair them with bedroom slippers. Add a belt or sash for a more fitted look. The trick is to find a balance and mix the masculine with the feminine.”