The History of Pajamas and Style Trends Over Time

Over the years, pajamas have gone from non-existence to ubiquity, from formal to casual, from nightgowns to undergarments, and from single-gender to unisex. The pajama has become one of the most versatile pieces of clothing, worn by everyone regardless of gender, age, or religion.

The changes this garment has undergone over time were caused not only by shifting preferences or styles but also by necessity—whether due to technology, war, or simply a change in surroundings.

Pajamas as clothing items originated in ancient India, where they initially did not follow the body's shape, being very loose and featuring a drawstring or elastic at the waist. They were only introduced to Europe around the 1800s.

Even the word "pajama" was borrowed in the 1800s from the Hindustani pāy-jāma (پاجامہ, पाजामा), which in turn was borrowed from the Persian pāy-jāmeh (پايجامه), literally meaning "leg garment." Originally, pajamas consisted of loose trousers made of lightweight fabric with a short waist, usually worn by Muslims in India and later adopted in Europe during the rule of the East India Company.

We can say that we largely owe the use of pajamas to British colonists who influenced the Western world during the Victorian period. Pajamas were introduced in England as "lounging attire" as early as the 17th century, later known as Mogul breeches (Beaumont and Fletcher). Even the word "pajama" (along with variants like pai-jamahs or paie-jams) has been recorded in the English language since the first half of the 19th century.

These garments began to become a common part of fashion around 1870. In the initial "traditional" phase, the trousers had to be white to withstand boiling and steaming during cleaning, as dyes were precious at the time and people did not want to waste them on hidden items. Traditional pajamas were a combination of a button-down shirt and trousers made of soft fabrics, such as flannel or lightweight cotton.

Even though today we have everything imaginable in terms of pajamas—from solid colors and plaids to varieties of boxers and bikinis—there is still a certain nostalgia regarding the materials and colors used. Almost every lingerie collection includes at least one set of white panties or pajamas with white accents, rooted in the heritage of the undergarment segment.

As mentioned above, "pajamas" also have roots in the Persian people (from the word paejama), referring mostly to leg clothing. In the eastern part of the Ottoman Empire, men wore pajamas usually made of Egyptian linen, paired with a lined tunic, as standard attire.

Over time, this trend took an extraordinary turn. Starting in the 1920s, American women began to seek the transformation of these garments, which at the time were dedicated exclusively to sleep and rest. Thus, moving away from wide trousers and button-down shirts, very attractive "sleeping suits" were created, which gradually transformed into jumpsuits and other items that followed the body's silhouette or highlighted sensual areas. This led to the creation of sleeveless pajamas, off-the-shoulder styles, or even shorts that emphasized the body's shape.

With time, pajamas moved out of the nighttime zone, slowly transforming into comfortable clothing for the home. Consequently, these pieces began to be made from new fabrics, in new colors, and with a fresh approach that emphasized comfort and design. Fashion began to change, and wealthy women began to spend up to half the day in so-called nightwear (today's pajamas or "homewear"), which was not only comfortable but also "chic" and trendy.

Furthermore, during the 1920s and 30s, the pajama was transformed into a luxury item, with these pieces being worn in exclusive seaside resorts or even on the beach.

Once this fashion started, it was only a short step to the trend of bringing pajamas into the street. In the 1900s, French designer Paul Poiret launched a silk pajama collection which, as we might guess, could be worn during the day in public, being considered casual and fashionable outfits.

Later, heavy hitters in the industry became involved; in 1920, Coco Chanel succeeded in making women give up the long nightshirt by introducing silk and satin pajamas as a novelty, this time composed of a top and trousers.

The trend of pajamas worn in public was quickly adopted in Asia as well, where even today it is perfectly normal for people to wear pajamas on the street—such as the so-called Kigurumi, onesie-style costumes depicting animals. In both China and Japan, this custom exists, and you will surely encounter people dressed in pajamas in residential neighborhoods.

Due to this trend, in 2006, the United Arab Emirates banned local public administration workers from wearing pajamas at the workplace. Similar measures were taken elsewhere; in 2010, a Tesco supermarket in the UK banned customers dressed in pajamas from entering the store. In 2012, a commissioner in Louisiana proposed a law that would completely ban people from wearing pajamas in public.

As times change, people change, fashion changes, and approaches, concepts, and trends are constantly reinterpreted. Although there is a theory that pajamas appeared to protect people from lice, this theory has been debunked. The truth regarding the emergence of pajamas is that bedrooms were usually unheated, so people were forced to have specific clothing for the night.

With the heating of bedrooms and the increase in comfort, pajamas began to lose their utility, becoming more of a fashion piece that adds comfort to the wearer while providing visual pleasure to a partner, as modern pajamas highlight and underline the sensual lines of the body.

Today, there are an extraordinary number of style variations: short-sleeved or summer pajamas, long pajamas for spring/autumn, thick winter pajamas, one-piece pajamas or jumpsuits, items incorporating various materials, nightgowns, or sleep jackets.

Beyond the individual comfort they provide, the current market is in continuous growth for convenient, extremely comfortable clothing that seems to be increasingly favored by the general public. While these garments have evolved alongside social habits and technology, there is still a scent of nostalgia for past traditions, so we shouldn't be surprised if these trends reappear in stores or fashion catalogs.

We invite you to discover the pajamas we offer to the general public. A range of over 2,000 items and 40 brands. We aim to become the most representative niche store on the Romanian market. Here you can find: women's pajamas, plus-size women's pajamas, fleece pajamas, maternity pajamas, nightgowns, men's pajamas, plus-size men's pajamas, men's nightshirts, children's pajamas, women's robes, men's robes, slippers, and lingerie accessories.

We are at your disposal for any inquiries or for free professional consultation at tel. 0723.163.923. The Lady-Line team wishes you a restful sleep and "fluffy" dreams in the most comfortable pajamas.