In my ramp up to last Sunday’s season premiere of Mad Men, I re-watched the first season. Of course, the ladies’ outfits (and Don, duh) made me swoon just as much as the first time around. But something else stood out that I hadn’t paid much attention to initially—the sleepwear. Most specifically Betty Draper’s short, flowy, chiffon nighties.
Now, I still pretty much look like a college girl in a dorm when I crawl into bed at night, but I’m seriously considering stocking up on a few of these romantic numbers. Don’t you love how Betty lounges around all day in one sometimes? (She evens shoots at neighbors pigeons!) And they do look incredibly comfortable, even for hot summer nights. Plus, the little robes that go over them? Love!
I found some great ones on Etsy here and here that I’m loving lots.
What about you? Would you wear proper lady pajamas a la Betty?
It’s no secret that we heart Kate Moss. Usually she can do no wrong, but when she recently stepped out wearing a dress that literally showed off all her assets, we were surprisingly put off. And it’s not just Kate - lately we’ve noticed quite a few chicks on the street baring all in lingerie.
We understand lingerie inspired looks. We love a pretty slip dress or camisole for night. But that’s not what’s going on. The look we’ve been seeing is to actually wear what could pass for pajamas - in public. Even Shopbop’s encouraging us to go through the day in hot pants and a tank top!
We understand they’re comfy. But so are sweatpants, baggy t-shirts and yoga pants, and we aren’t wearing those to work anytime soon. Plus the whole thing is a little bit of a fashion TMI. We’re not sure we want the whole block knowing what we look like in our underwear.
We’re not saying the look doesn’t have potential to be cute - See Jil Sander and Marc Spring ‘08 for inventive and sophisticated applications of sheer. But for the regular girl, with a regular life off the runway, is it really acceptable?
How can there be at once a stigma against leaving the house in a sweat suit, but not against stepping outside in a see-through slip? Is it that outrageously comfortable clothes are acceptable if they maintain a degree of sexiness? Or is this the Juicy Couture sweat suit of 2008?
— HAYLEY PHELAN
A conversation was sparked in the office today when we noticed the following items:
1. J.Crew leggings cashmere, with a faux pee flap in front, $150.
2. Basic bathrobe, Banana Republic, classified as what to wear while “opening presents,” $298.
3. $200 sweatpants. Also BR.
On the one hand, it must be fun to romp around in cashmere jammies all day. But unless you’re also drinking hot cocoa brewed with marshmallow diamonds, it seems a little excessive… even, dare we say it, tacky.
Is there an excuse for overpriced pajamas? Can robes that cost more than champagne really be worth it? Or is this just another “luxury” markup, to go with our $2000 handbags and $750 shoes?
