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Pajamas

language culture Maturity 11-13 Next article →

Pajamas are soft clothes made for sleeping or relaxing at home.

Two piece pajamas
Two piece pajamas

People often call them PJs, jammies, or night suits. These garments help us feel cozy and comfortable. They are usually worn as nightwear with bare feet. Some people also wear them while lounging around the house. In many places, they are seen as indoor wear. They provide a soft way to rest after a long day.

Pajamas on Sunday
Pajamas on Sunday

Traditional pajamas usually come in a two-piece set.

Drop seat pajamas 1
Drop seat pajamas 1

This set includes a shirt and a pair of trousers. The shirt often has a placket, which is an opening at the front. The fabric is typically very soft, like flannel or lightweight silk. Modern styles have many different shapes and sizes. Some people wear short sleeves or different lengths of pants. Many people today choose to wear just pajama pants with a t-shirt.

Muslim girl india1844 (cropped)
Muslim girl india1844 (cropped)

The history of these clothes begins in India and Iran. The word comes from the Urdu word pāy-jāma. In Persian, pāy means foot or leg and jāma means clothing.

Two piece pajamas
Two piece pajamas

British soldiers and colonists saw these clothes in the Indian subcontinent. They brought the style back to the Western world during the 18th and 19th centuries. In England, they were once called "mogul's breeches." By about 1870, they became popular sleeping clothes for men in the Victorian era. The word appeared in English records as early as 1801.

There are many specific details about how pajamas are made and used.

Drop seat pajamas 1
Drop seat pajamas 1

Some pajamas for infants have a "drop seat." This is a buttoned opening in the seat to help with using the toilet. In the United States, there are important fire safety rules for children's pajamas. If they are made of cotton, they must fit tightly. Loose pajamas must be treated with a special fire retardant. In the United Kingdom, some pajamas must have a label that says "KEEP AWAY FROM FIRE."

Pajamas have even moved from the bedroom into movies and schools.

Pajamas on Sunday
Pajamas on Sunday

In 1942, an actress named Bette Davis wore a pajama top in a film. This caused a fashion revolution for young women. Today, some schools have a "pajama day" to boost school spirit. However, some places have rules against wearing them in public. For example, a supermarket in Cardiff, United Kingdom, started a ban on customers wearing them. Some government offices in Dublin and Ras Al Khaimah also have rules about appropriate clothing.

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🖼️ Images & Media (6)
File:Muslim girl india1844 (cropped).jpg
Muslim girl india1844 (cropped).jpg
File:Two piece pajamas.jpg
Two piece pajamas.jpg
File:"Be careful what you say or write. Please get there and back." - NARA - 513926.jpg
"Be careful what you say or write. Please...
File:Utility Underwear- Clothing Restrictions on the British Home Front, 1943 D13099.jpg
Utility Underwear- Clothing Restrictions...
File:Drop seat pajamas 1.jpg
Drop seat pajamas 1.jpg
File:Pajamas on Sunday.jpg
Pajamas on Sunday.jpg
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