Ever wish that you could wear your pajamas everyday? To work, to parties, sashaying down the street? Well, those of us who have had that delicious thought cross our frazzled minds can rejoice, for the fashion deities (namely Stella McCartney, Antiono Marras, Consuelo Castiglioni at Marni, and Raf Simons at Jil Sander) have smiled upon us. Behold, the pajama jacket: single or double breasted, a collar and lapels, covered in a carefully-planned smattering of colourful geometric shapes working collectively as a print. And the sweetest part of all? Matching bottoms only up the sartorial sophistication of the ensemble—aren’t you glad that the days of shunning “matchy matchy” looks are over (for now)?
Before you go tearing through your closet to unearth those lambie jammies, a few key rules to keep in mind:
Rule 1: Stay away from too-cutesy prints that look like actual pajamas for snoozing in, lest you look like a sleep-deprived lunatic. While clouds, lambs, butterflies and ladybugs are absolutely adorable for catching up on your Z’s in, they look too childish to be chic for the streets, especially if they’re in pastel palettes (which they often are). Opt instead for grown-up jewel tones and subdued hues with just a pop of bright colour, and reach for prints that are whimsical or ethnic (think Moroccan motifs) but don’t read juvenile.
Rule 2: Don’t take it literally. As it is with any trend, the key is to avoid taking it literally (see: the track pant). Fashion takes inspiration from a myriad of influences but it is always an interpretation, not a literal translation—which explains why, in the present hey-day of track pants, street style stars are seen sporting skinny trousers with simple side stripes as a nod to the trend, as opposed to gallivanting around town in Adidas tearaways. If you’re blessed with the budget for it, the Stella McCartneys and Dries Van Notens are sure to have great offerings in high fashion pajama wear—Stella’s royal blue paisley print blazers with matching trousers, anyone? At the more affordable end of the spectrum, with Clover Canyon bridging the gap in between, there are high street favourites such as Topshop and H&M (remember the Marni collection for H&M? That was a haute pajama set if ever there was) are sure to be stocked with wallet-friendly options in pajama-inspired separates.
Rule 3: Dress it up. Many trends suit that effortless, messy-chic feel that looks like it was quickly thrown together; unfortunately this trend is not one of them. Pairing sneakers with your pajama-inspired jacket and matching pants can easily miss the point and end up looking like a sloppy fashion victim mess. The key here is to aim for polish, so look for lady-like ankle strap pumps, sleek trousers or nice jeans, and sharp tailoring.
Look 1: Go Big Or Go Home
Warehouse printed blazer, $109
J.Crew printed pants, $150
DKNY snake print clutch, $195
KG Kurt Geiger strappy pumps, $245
Look 2: Femme It Up
Topshop printed jacket, $110
Tova agate earrings, $88
Otte NY asymmetrical skirt, $175
DV8 Dolce Vita ankle strap pumps, $129
Look 3: Take It To Work
Clover Canyon printed jacket, $215
Dannijo rose gold choker, $265
Aldo colour blocked tote, $55
Zara platform pumps, $70
Illustrations via WhenImAnOldMan
