10 January 2011

The Comforts of Home

For as much as I may be "clothes mad" (to heist a phrase), I've never been one for pyjamas in the old fashioned sense. I'm talking about the "suits" of pyjamas that come with a button front shirt/coat with lapels. I've always found that they get all twisted in the night,making them terribly uncomfortable to sleep in. But that's not to say I don't give my "house clothes", as I call them, at least some consideration.

And it seems that I've lately found the perfect use for the recently acquired cardigan from Lands' End Canvas 1963. Don't get me wrong, there is no sarcasm intended here at all. I've actually grown quite fond of this sweater used this way. It's soft, warm and comfortable, and being charcoal grey it pairs well with all of my plaid or critter printed flannel pyjama pants. Besides, you should see the ratty old zip front black hoodie this sweater has replaced. Take a cue from your grandfather and Mr. Rogers, a favorite cardigan that sees near daily use but rarely leaves the house is a must have.

I simply throw it on right over my undershirt, button up, and settle down to the task of penning your favorite blog, or maybe reading in bed. Early on a chilly morning there's no better match to a hot cup of tea.

I have about a half dozen pair of cotton flannel pyjama pants, mostly from (gasp!) Old Navy. Soft, comfy, cheap and easily replaced. House clothes are no thing to spend a lot of money on, and I'll admit that even I am a little turned off to the idea of wearing another man's bed clothes. Being the incurable fop that I am, I tend to choose the pair that works best with whatever socks I have on that day (in this case a knee high pair in navy and green rugby stripes from Target, $4.99 in a pack with another pair).  And velvet slippers be damned, those Toms by Rugby RL that appalled so many of you when I first picked them up have become old friends as well. I like to be well put-together, even at home, even when no-one sees. I do it for myself, you see, which is the best, and perhaps only, reason to attempt to dress well.

Did I really just post photos of myself in my pyjamas on the internet? Yikes! Well, at least I don't wear this stuff out to the grocery store at 11 a.m.

13 comments:

Jauregui said...

Love it!!! Best advice, dress well for yourself, who care about everyone else!!!

Be blessed!!!

ms. mindless said...

My "slippers" are glittery gold Toms. I love them and they add a little bit of fun when I am lounging at home in yoga pants and sweatshirts. Yes, AT HOME in those clothes, not out in the street. I agree about needing new, not thrifted pajamas. No amount of washing could make me want to sleep in a used nightshirt.

ADG said...

scary

Old School said...

Giuseppe,

Even if you did wear this stuff out to the grocery store at 11 a.m., you'd be far better dressed than many of the other shoppers.

Harvey_birdman said...

No Pajama Jeans? I'm disappointed.

Johnny said...

Did I understand you to say that you found over-the-calf socks at Target? I love their patterns, but I've never seen anything but mid-calf socks -- which I refuse to wear -- there (or most anywhere else).

Yankee-Whisky-Papa said...

Years ago, in Vienna, I had the misfortune of sharing a hotel with about 50 students from UNC on summer-study abroad. As I strolled to the morning cafe with my friend, two UNC students in sweats, tank-tops, and flip-flops were being gawked at by two gorgeous Austrian nannies (Vienna nannies tend to be very attractive, and really put it on fashionably when going out with their strollers). One nannie said to the other, in quiet German "Why are they wearing their pajamas outside?"

NCJack said...

My "PJ bottoms" are an old comfy pair of cords, just acceptable enough for a run to the convenience store. Used to have fleece sweat types, but it's a pain to change, and I'm NOT going out in them

Young Fogey said...

I loves me my jammies, with their matching tops and bottoms. 100% cotton, though, which is hard to find in the US.

Pajamas tend to acquire a peculiar fragrance. Long soaks in OxiClean and Bac-Out remove the scent.

Changing the subject entirely, what's up with HTJ? He's gone again. Why does he tease us so?

HTJ, if you're reading this, could you please leave your blog up, but close comments when you're going to be away from it for a while? Pretty please?

Anonymous said...

what is disturbing on the pajama front is girls wearing them to school....I teach middle school and see them often.....just part of America's "hip" slacker attitude

Ian said...

Great post Giuseppe! Those slippers look incredibly comfortable. If you could spare a few minutes, I would love your feedback on my architectural blog, I have an upcoming post on Le Corbusier you might appreciate. Thanks!

http://followthecreativepath.blogspot.com/

Young Fogey said...

"Well, at least I don't wear this stuff out to the grocery store at 11 a.m."

Good think you don't--you might scare women, children, and horses!

;-)

Darren W. Read said...

I like to rock the exact same outfit at home. My shawl coller is from Club Monaco and mt slippers are LL Bean mocs. Super comfy. I am a thrift junkie myself and recently found a pair of amazing Alden Cape Cod Loafers for $6.99 (and that's canadian dollars)http://mythriftyexistence.blogspot.com/. Check them out.