Long before ‘pandemic PJs’ became a thing, I embraced the wearing of this comfortable clothing item. Since 2007, after my husband passed away, Mr. Jake the Cairn terrier and I were home alone. Since I don’t drive, I didn’t have the ability nor the desire to go out and about on a regular basis. Aging in place with cerebral palsy and living with the implications of fibromyalgia and a cardiac defect, I had little energy to ‘dress to impress’; the daily going out to work grind had long passed and my labour is now being done from home. So, why not be comfortable doing it, and fashionable, too. I have an assortment of what I call stylin’ jammies, in plaids, in prints, with bears, with rabbits, with teddy bears, oh my! The PJ pants lack one thing. Pockets!
The word pajama comes from the Hindi "pae jama" or "pai jama," meaning leg clothing, and its usage dates back to the Ottoman Empire.
Ah, yes, the spelling. The word “pajamas” wasn’t always spelled that way. In fact, in England, they are still pyjamas. The word pajama comes from the words pae jama in Hindi which means leg clothing or leg garment. I spell it ‘pyjamas’. What about you?
Middle Ages PJs were shapeless with simple trimmings; only royalty and those of noble birth wore pyjamas that were more than a simple long dress. Fabrics chosen were in keeping with the climate, often silk. Being a frugal Scot and all about comfort, I prefer flannel PJ pants with a loose cotton top. Velcro is a popular closing instead of buttons if custom designing clothing items for the elderly or bedridden.
In the 1800s, many people started wearing pyjamas as a matter of practicality; the poor couldn’t afford to heat their homes so layering with long tops and close fitting bottoms allowed them some measure of warmth which contributed to health and wellness. The rich, on the other hand, were more inclined to wear ‘designer’ pyjamas fashioned from exotic material. I browsed around online and found a few high-end styles that I liked and suited my quirky tastes while at the same time being compatible with the way I live and move about my home.
Historically, pyjamas were tight the full length of the leg, or wide at the waist and tight at the ankles. People with orthopaedic challenges that involved limited movement of the legs, such as I experience, benefit from drawstring PJs with a bit of elastic waist as we’re often quite thin. I came across a clothing line for those living with dementia; they were designed in such a way that the wearer couldn’t disrobe. PJs that are ‘escape proof’ would be ideally suited in care homes where some patients are able to move about freely but may have mental lapses and disrobe inappropriately
In the early 1900s, PJs were becoming more decorative, with the introduction of bows and lace on pyjamas moving them into the realm of style, going beyond function. Glamour was taking center stage with The Roaring Twenties. Were I living in those times, I would have preferred the manly smoking jacket with co-ordinating pyjama pants. Instead of an ascot, perhaps pearls, for that touch of class. Did I just have a Coco Chanel moment? I doubt I’d dare wear something like that out and about, but who knows. I’ve been wearing jeans out in public in recent years. I got my first pair in my 30s. I now own two pair. Just two!
Pandemic PJs are here to stay for some time to come so it’s important that folks be comfortable as they make their way through these challenging days ahead. Working from home, though isolating from the routine of the day-to-day we previously enjoyed, can be made more palatable when we embrace our inner child and wear those bright green PJs with ducks. Fuzzy socks are a must. Make sure to get a few pair to mix n match to really make a statement, even if only the cat or dog sees it. Surprising how liberating it is to bring out your inner child to dress you.
Carla MacInnis Rockwell is a freelance writer and disability rights advocate living outside Fredericton, NB with Miss Lexie, a rambunctious Maltese and Mr. Malcolm, the boisterous Havanese. She can be reached via email at Carla MacInnis Rockwell
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