Have you unfrumped your PJs? - YouLookFab Forum

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Have you unfrumped your PJs?

J.J.

As y'all stylish ladies were moving from not-so-stylish (if you ever fit that category; it seems like a lot of us do) to FAB, did you upgrade your pajamas?

Here's why I'm thinking about this: I went to the grocery store dressed up (relatively speaking- nice jeans, a blouse, and a Theory long, waterfall cardigan, and boots, instead of RATE jeans and athletic shoes) and I swear it made me buy healthier food. That got me to thinking: can wearing nice PJs have a similar effect? Would I sleep better? Feel calmer?

Basically, I wear old t-shirts (some that I took from my husband) and variously-colored ON PJ pants. The colors are random, based on what's on sale, because I've always felt like- who cares? Only my husband and toddler see me. They mostly fit, but some are way too big and a couple are tight. I don't love them, but I don't think about it much. Should I?

So: QUESTION: Is it worth spending money on nice PJs? I don't mean crazy-nice- I'm talking matching sets from Gap or something. Or maybe even matching sets from Target... I guess 'matching' would be a ridiculous improvement for me! ;).

Put more generally, should YLF-ers work to get a nice PJ capsule as the budget allows?

Thoughts and suggestions for nice PJs that aren't $90 a pair welcome!

Still a newbie,
J.J.

PS I love YLF and am obsessed and so happy that I 'found' you- what an amazing group of interesting, kind, thoughtful, and funny women!!

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31 replies

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Anonymous

Welcome, J.J.! Wouldn't you want your nearest and dearest to think of you as looking great, not as you look in ill-fitting pjs? I don't wear anything to bed but a bit of fragrance, but if I did, I would want it to look and feel silky. You want your DH to smile when he thinks of you

MsMary

Veteran

Yes!! I bought six pair of lovely Charter Club flannel PJ's from Macy's at the after-Thanksgiving sale last year and I am so, so, so happy with them. And look! They're on sale right now (although selection is limited).

Then last summer I bought a bunch of Dearfoams short-sleeved cotton PJ's, which I also love. I bought a bunch of different stripes and polka-dots and prints and they make me happy.

When it's really hot I wear short-sleeve knee-length sleep tees from Target.

I love, love, love having nice sleepwear. I live alone and nobody sees me, but I still feel fab every night when I go to bed!

Laura (rhubarbgirl)

(website)

Veteran

My pjs are from all over the place - Target, Old Navy, Kohls, Garnet Hill, Eddie Bauer, thrifted versions of all of the above - but I do try to make sure they fit appropriately and are in colors that are reasonably flattering. I used to wear old oversized tshirts with my pj bottoms but then I realized that I found oversized just as uncomfortable to sleep in as too tight.

So yeah, I would say spending a few bucks on cute, comfortable pjs is worth it. They get worn more than almost anything else we own, right?

gradfashionista

(website)

Veteran

Thinking similar thoughts. I have a pair of silk PJs in my cart to surpass my current tank top and flannel bottoms. I don't mind the flannel bottoms for wearing around the house, but I would like to sleep in something pretty and of thinner material.

crutcher

Veteran

You mean sweat pant style bottoms and a Cuddl Dud top isn't fab...I would have never known...I guess I am going to have to get more stylish...smile...

jenanded

Veteran

The longer I was married, it dawned on me that my husband had almost only seen me in bad pjs for years... not those lovely work and going out clothes when I was not with him. I went out and bought new pjs the next day.... I figure 3 fresh pairs a year is a small price in a marriage.

Jenny H

Veteran

I snagged the PJs below during a good sale earlier this year and definitely feel less frumpy. Normally in my frumpy PJ's I feel I need to throw something else on if I hear a knock on my door, but I've opened my door in these and even got a compliment when I did so! Not sure if I sleep better or make better choices, but I do feel great when I wear them!

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Tania

Veteran

Um, does a red union suit from LL Bean count? I just ordered one last night.

Actually, I've typically made do with whatever old t's and pants I have, but last year I purchased one matching set and I wanted to purchase another. The red suit is to match my kids!

Janet

(website)

Veteran

I've tried to step up my sleepwear in the last year. In fact, last spring when I was preparing to have surgery, I purged all my oldest, crappiest sleepwear and underwear and treated myself to a few new things. I'm also reaching the age where I get hot at night, even in the cold weather, so my heavier, warmer PJs are going to Goodwill. Most of my sleepwear is from Nordstrom or Target. But I still have one beloved pair of PJs that belonged to my mom -- they actually don't look bad considering they're probably 8 years old. I think they were from Kohl's.

Anonymous

I'd definitely at least replace the tight pajama pants because, if you can't wear something comfortable and non-binding when you sleep, when can you? I'm not sure my sleepwear is particularly glamorous, but I do try to go for well-fitting, kind of coordinating, and in fabrics that feel nice. It may not make a huge difference, but I think I'd feel a little frumpy if I were wearing faded, ill-fitting, random stuff every night.

Also have to put in a plug for Target sleepwear, since they have lots of nice options in pretty colors for cheap. I especially like the Gilligan and O'Malley modal stuff because it has a kind of silky feel.

Gail

Veteran

I have 2 identical pairs of PJ's that I wear in the winter, they are both black purchased from Target. They are the brand Gilligan O'Malley. The top is a V neck type tunic and the bottoms are a palazzo style. They have a nice drape , satin trim and they are extraordinarily soft. The bottoms swish when I walk lol. However they are almost 8 years old starting to look their age and as much as like them I am ready for something new. I do have a pair of plaid PJ's but somehow just feel too pajamery ( not a word I know !) when I wear them. With the black ones if someone stops by unexpectedly I don't feel uncomfortable. I find the ones with a T Shirt type top are too form fitting as I don't wear a bra when I am in my PJ's ( I want to be comfortable my bras are not ) and would certainly feel weird if someone stopped by unexpectedly.
I did buy another similar pair at Target which I thought were the same fabric but turned out they were similar but not the same they were more silky and made me sweat
I guess I know what I need to shop for !

Beth Ann

Veteran

Yes! My loungewear and sleepwear blur together, because I live in a 1,000sq foot house with one bathroom, and have a 12/13 year olds. I sleep in yoga pants/capris and cute slouchy track pants (black, navy, grey) topped with soft, stretchy knitwear in modern shapes and my favorite colors (burgundy, purple, sapphire). I can't generally afford Athleta, but that's the look I go for (only with more color and ease).

Since I homeschool and work part time outside the home, I'm often giving a writing lesson or grading math in my loungewear before dressing for work. It's versatile when I travel, doubling as light workout wear, and makes me feel presentable when staying in someone else's home or a hotel.

Oh, and I use the "roll" method now for my loungewear drawers -- so much easier and more efficient!

Helena

Veteran

Seconding Gail's suggestion of the Gilligan O'Malley brand at good old Boutique Target ... they are THE softest and comfiest jammies I have ever had.

Irene

Veteran

I've never worn an old t-shirt to bed, unless I wasn't sleeping in my house, and even then! My PJs always coordinate. Sometimes I get nicer ones, lately I've been getting them from Primark. I'm very picky with cut, fabric, fit and colour, so it has happened that I've been out looking for PJs and haven't found any I liked.

I just realized I'm a weirdo lol

Elly

Veteran

I don't like to sleep in clothes (except maybe a tee and undies) so my PJs are technically loungewear, which is probably why I tend to buy either leggings and tunics, shorts and tees (for summer), or sweatpant-type bottoms and sweatshirts because I mostly wear them in mornings before getting dressed and in the evening after dinner when I'm in for the night and reading or watching tv with the SO. I have one pair of plaid thin cotton pants that definitely look like PJs that I wear in transitional weather, and a pair of heavy fleece PJs that were the first gift the SO ever bought me, so I'm reluctant to part with them even though they were a size too small from the beginning (I thought he was buying me a tee or a fleece when he asked my size, so I told him medium and they were short in the arms and sleeves and tight in the shoulders and chest from the beginning). My Christmas list has new PJs on it. I actually find that many of the teeny-bopper stores are a great place to pick up PJ pants and inexpensive sweatshirts and tees so long as you don't mind bright colors. I don't care for most of the sets like Target does in the modal fabrics because I have to buy a fairly large size and then the necklines are too low and the waists are too high. I'm also a huge fan of the SOs tees and fleece PJ pants-- he has dedicated a set to me. I don't think he minds, but he also gets to see me in regular clothes when we are together. I like to save the actual slumpy stuff for painting, cleaning the bathroom, limbing trees, and the like.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Yes. It's SO important. I wear a soft little tee and boyshorts to sleep in (I can't handle more coverage so fun woolly pi's are out), and have great lounge clothes that I wear as a robe over my pjs until I hit the sack.

Diana

Veteran

I tend to go for cute rather than sexy when it comes to PJs. Comfort is admittedly my #1 priority so anything tight, bunchy, scratchy, etc is right out. In the winter, I like my flannel PJ sets from Victoria's secret (of all places!), and I also have some PJ separates (mostly PJ pants and solid tees). In the summer, I almost exclusively wear little cotton chemises.

Actually, recently I've taken to sometimes wearing my husband's old buttondowns to sleep in. It's SO cliche but it's actually quite comfy (they are quite a bit too big for me, and I don't button them to to the top, so the collars don't bother me).

Anonymous

YES!! Yes, I did. I calculated the percentage of time I spent in various categories of clothing: work, casual, dressy, gym, lounging. Lounging accounted for the largest percentage. Who knew?

Once I realized this to be the case, I bought PJ sets (some flannel, some cotton, all incredibly comfortable). I bought matching robes. I have never felt better about coming home, taking off my work clothes, and putting on my lounging clothes. I am sad that it took me this long to come to this realization.

I spoke to a woman at work that also owns a similar lounging wardrobe. She too expressed great happiness about having comfortable clothes that look good too.

I will NEVER go back to wearing cast off, mismatched, icky pieces as lounging clothes. If the after christmas sales are good, I hope to get one or two more sets. Yay!!

shedev

Veteran

The jammie bottoms I'm wearing right now are the most unflattering thing in my wardrobe. Guess it's time for an upgrade.

rachylou

Veteran

I don't know if *unfrumped* is the right word, but I have certainly put thought into it. I have requirements to be met:

- pjs must be light weight
- pjs must be one piece
- pjs must not have spaghetti straps (which I can't get to stay up)
- pjs must be knee length or longer (to protect insulin pump tubing from dog - although, I've gone back to shots, so I could go shorter)

Basically we're talking a nightgown. I have one that's a tunic made of light weight cotton and another that's silky (but not slinky), kinda baby-doll shaped. Nice, but won't sell magazines

Louise

Veteran

For me any excuse to buy lovely things is viable so of course I have lovely pjs. I have 4 sets of winter pjs which consist of coordinating long sleeved tops and long sleeved bottoms with stretchy sleep bras for underneath. I also have a couple of fleeces I wear on top if it's really cold or to sit up in bed reading in x

Staysfit

Veteran

This is a bit like asking if you get a new chair, do you need to get a new couch, and if you do that, do you need a new table, and then do you need to paint the room, and what about the art work? Maybe the rest of the house looks a bit drab too?

I freeze at night, so I definitely wear PJ's but it's not an upgrade, its something I have always done. Not new. I also have a really nice warm robe and slippers. They are must haves for me always. The PJ's are soft though, and I like a spritz of my favorite perfume before I go to sleep also.

Echo

Veteran

I don't wear PJs to bed, but I still have nice ones that I wear before bed and in the morning. But I recently upgraded my loungewear and it has really made a difference in my mood and even my eating habits. I think that the things you wear for yourself can sometimes be just as important as the things you wear for other people or to go places. You could always start with one pair of fun matching PJs and see if they change your mood or attitude. If they do, then you could indulge in more, knowing they would be a wise purchase.

Deborah

Veteran

I get warm at night so I generally wear soft jersey fabrics, tops and shorts, and nightdresses:) I think it's nice to have some nice looking and comfy sleepwear.

TraceyLiz65

(website)

Veteran

I really should think about this, but blogging for a few years now and getting my wardrobe set makes me want to wear sweats and tshirts or running shorts and tanks..Will have to search for some and see if this appeals to me or if I am content for this to be my place to bum it..

Kirstjen

Veteran

My pajamas don't match - as in I didn't buy them as sets - but they do go together. I wear lounge pants with a plain t shirt or tank in the summer. In the winter, I top it with a long cashmere sweater from Nordstrom. Sometimes in winter, especially if it's really cold, I wear long underwear to bed. (I live in a drafty loft in downtown Chicago - practically LIVED in this ensemble last winter!) Even with the Cuddl Duds, wool socks & slippers, I wear the cashmere long cardigan. And sometimes, if watching TV or reading, I'm curled up on a sheepskin & under a blanket on especially brutal nights. I try to look nice, but it's more important to be warm!

It's not that cold yet, but I've got a plan...

amiable

Veteran

My PJs desperately need upgrading, and I've been wondering how to go about it. So thanks for this thread - I'm enjoying reading it!

Jenny

Yes! I sleep better in a pretty ensemble!

abc

Veteran

A year or so ago I went from mismatched on sale mess to matching sets from Target. Also a fan of the Gilligan OMalley stuff. You won't regret it.

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