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The following article was sourced from a Wikipedia page at the following address: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyjamas PYJAMAS
Pyjama in American English, spelled pyjama in most other countries (see spelling differences), often shortened to PJs, jimjams or jammies, can refer to several related types of clothing. Pyjamas are loose-fitting, two-piece garments derived from the original garment and worn chiefly for sleeping, but sometimes also for lounging, also by both sexes. More generally, pyjamas may refer to several garments, for both daywear and nightwear, derived from traditional pyjamas and involving variations of style and material. The word pyjama or pyjama was incorporated into the English language from c. 1800 through the Hindustani pajāmā, itself from the Persian word pāy-jāmeh lit. "leg-garment"). The original pajāmā are loose, lightweight trousers fitted with drawstring waistbands worn by Muslims in India and adopted by Europeans there. TYPES OF PYJAMAS
Traditional In colloquial speech, these traditional pyjamas are often called PJs, jim jams, or jammies; while in South Asia and South Africa, they are sometimes referred to as night suits. Some pyjamas feature a drop seat (also known as a trap door or butt flap): a buttoned opening in the seat, designed to allow the wearer to conveniently use a toilet. Drop seats were very common on pyjamas made before the 1950s, but today they are rather rare.
Contemporary Chiefly in the US, stretch-knit sleep apparel with rib-knit trimmings are common. Usually worn by children, these garments often have pullover tops (if two-piece) or have zippers down the fronts (if one-piece), and may also be footed. Although pyjamas are usually distinguished from non-bifurcated sleeping garments such as nightgowns, in the US, they can sometimes include the latter, as in babydoll pyjamas.
Daywear MATERIAL Pyjamas are usually loose fitting and designed for comfort, using soft materials such as cotton or the more luxurious silk or satin. Synthetic materials such as polyester and Lycra are also available. DESIGNS AND PATTERNS Pyjamas often contain visual references to a thing that may hold some special appeal to the wearer. Images of sports, animals, balloons, polka dots, flowers, stripes, plaids, foulards, paisleys and other motifs may all be used to decorate them. Pyjamas may also be found in plainer designs, such as plaid or plain gray, but when worn in public, they are usually designed in such a way that makes their identity unambiguous. Older styles of children's pyjamas have been depicted as having a square button-up flap covering the buttocks. CUSTOM Pyjamas are often worn with bare feet and sometimes without underwear. They are often worn as comfort wear even when not in bed, and are also sometimes worn as a fashion statement. Some people have started to wear pyjama pants in public as fashion. In eastern China, it is not unusual in the late afternoon or evening, for adults to wear their pyjamas in public around their local neighborhood. The supermarket Tesco in St Mellons, Cardiff, United Kingdom started a ban on customers wearing pyjamas in January 2010. In January 2012, a local Dublin branch of the Government's Department of Social Protection advised that pyjamas were not regarded as appropriate attire when attending the office for welfare services. HISTORY The word pyjama was incorporated into the English language via Hindustani. The word originally derives from Persian meaning 'leg-garment'. The word originally referred to loose trousers tied around the waist. The worldwide use of pyjamas (the word and the garment) is the result of British presence in India in the 18th and 19th centuries, and British influence on the wider Western world during the Victorian era. Pyjamas had been introduced to England as "lounging attire" as early as the 17th century, then known as mogul's breeches (Beaumont and Fletcher) but they soon fell out of fashion again. The word pyjama (as pai jamahs, Paee-jams and variants) is recorded in English use in the first half of the 19th century, but they only become a fashion in Britain and the Western world as a sleeping attire for men in the Victorian period, from about 1870. Hobson-Jobson: A Glossary of Colloquial Anglo-Indian Words and Phrases (1886) summarizes the state of usage at the time (s.v. "pyjammas"): Such a garment is used by various persons in India e.g. by women of various classes, by Sikh men, and most by Mohammedans of both sexes. It was adopted from the Mohammedans by Europeans as an article of dishabille and of night attire, and is synonymous with Long Drawers, Shulwaurs, and Mogul-Breeches [...] It is probable that we English took the habit like a good many others from the Portuguese. Thus Pyrard (c. 1610) says, in speaking of Goa Hospital: "Ils ont force calsons sans quoy ne couchent iamais les Portugais des Indes" [...] The word is now used in London shops. A friend furnishes the following reminiscence: "The late Mr. B—, tailor in Jermyn Street, some on 40 years ago, in reply to a question why pyjammas had feet sewn on to them (as was sometimes the case with those furnished by London outfitters) answered: 'I believe, Sir, it is because of the White Ants. WEARING PYJAMAS IN PUBLIC Celebrities have played a major role in influencing the public to wear pyjamas in public. Big names such as Rihanna, Ryan Gosling, Miranda Kerr, Jessica Alba, Rachel Bilson, Cara Delevingne and many others have all been spotted at events and movie premieres wearing sleepwear numbers. Featuring in the gossip magazines, these celebs were instrumental in starting the pyjamas in public trend. Another influential factor in the public pyjama display is the fact that social pressure has changed. Social pressure is not as powerful as it used to be a few decades ago with people caring less about their public appearance. The reason is that the social norms of what’s acceptable and what’s not have changed considerably. Allowing people to dress more freely as they desire. In January 2012, Michael Williams, a commissioner in Caddo Parish, Louisiana, USA proposed an ordinance prohibiting people from wearing pyjamas in public. Caddo Parish already has a law against wearing sagging pants below the waist, but Williams is pushing for a law against pyjama pants after seeing a group of young men wearing loose fitting pyjama pants that were about to show their private parts. According to Williams, "The moral fiber in our community is dwindling. If not now, when? Because it's pyjama pants today, next it will be underwear tomorrow.” Williams’ concerns are reflected in many school and work dress codes. Mount Anthony Union High School in Bennington, Vermont, USA banned pyjamas in 2011, concerned that they could be a safety hazard. REFERENCES IN POPULAR CULTURE
For more information about pyjamas, please click on the following link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyjamas |
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 http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pyjamas
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