By Emily Friedman, The Pajama Company Summer Intern
One of the special things about pajama-lovers is our uncanny ability to spot a really nice pair of jammies on our favorite TV shows. We’ll yelp out in bemusement if we spy a character rolling out of bed, decked out in a really nice set of footies. Even glamorous TV characters need sleep! So, here’s a compilation of our absolute favorite pajama cameos.
New Girl
True Blood
30 Rock
Mad Men
PS: Check out a DIFFERENT set of cupcake pajamas Liz Lemon wore from The Pajama Company!
As we all know, beds are traditionally used for sleeping purposes. However, a group of people (perhaps aliens?) have been using beds in entirely different ways. Unbeknownst to us here at The Pajama Company, “bed races” have been going on since the 1950’s.
In bed races, 4 or 5 people push a bed on wheels, while one individual sits atop the (usually ridiculously decorated) bed. In the celebrated Great Grove Bed Race, this push occurs over a distance of 1/8 mile. Eventually, the judges narrow down the competitors to 8 finalists who race to the finish. Bed races are typically judged based on theme, decor, and speed.
True to bed form, every participant in the bed race dons a classy set of pajamas, depending on the theme of their individual bed. Pirate pajamas, Hawaiian pajamas, and princess pajamas all make appearances at the bed races.
For aerodynamic purposes, we love these footie pants.
But for style, you have to go with the biking set.
Many of us look back on childhood sleepovers fondly: baking cookies, movies, and the inevitable pillow fight. It begins innocently enough, an unexpected bonk on the head by a rogue down pillow. Before long, it dissolves into a full-fledged war, feathers flying in every direction. At the end, one victor emerges, proudly hoisting his or her victorious pillow.
Every year, in the Big Apple, you can relive these memories at the Pillow Fight NYC. This year, it was held on April 7th at Washington Square Park. Alliances form, blows are thrown, and laughter can be heard in droves. However, NYC isn’t the only place to enjoy an old-fashioned pillow fight. Cities and towns around the world celebrate International Pillow Fight Day, meaning you’ll have no trouble finding a place to practice your childhood skills. By the end of the day, you’ll be an expert at whacking people across the head with a pillow. Not to mention that by the time you finally get home to set your head on your actual pillow, you’ll be exhausted enough to fall right asleep.
Now, this pillow fight presents a good question, what do you wear? One could go with a breathable pair of shorts or a sassy pair of footies to distinguish yourself from the hustling and bustling crowd. Either way, you’ll be sure to enjoy yourself amongst old friends, new friends, and pillow fight enemies.
By Makenzie Lynch, The Pajama Company Summer Intern
Hi Pajama Company Community!
My name is Makenzie and I am the newest summer intern at The Pajama Company. I am a recent college graduate from Miami University in Ohio. I am hoping to pursue a career in the fashion industry, and was so excited for the opportunity to become a social media intern at The Pajama Company. I will be working with Jilly and Ellie this summer to fill you in on everything happening at the Pajama Company and update you on all the latest trends…plus, I get to do this all in my pajamas, not a bad job!
Editor’s Note: To help us get to know Makenzie, we asked her to answer a few very important questions.
1. Describe your favorite pajamas.
First and foremost, I like my pajamas to be comfortable. But it’s definitely a plus when they are also cute and girly. I love fun patterns and bright colors.
2. What would your perfect day look like?
My perfect days usually involve spending time with friends and family. I would love to sleep in, have an afternoon at the beach, go to a nice dinner (with a good bottle of wine), and end the day watching a movie, hopefully in some comfy pajamas.
3. What was the last book you read?
I actually just re-read The Catcher in the Rye. It was a lot more fun to read outside of my high school English class.
4. What song is currently stuck in your head
Right now, “Pay Phone” by Maroon 5, but that is probably because they play it every few minutes on the radio.
5. What youtube video are you watching over and over?
I love finding funny Youtube videos! The animal ones usually get me. This one of a kitten attempting to jump off of a table is hilarious. The video is only about 7 seconds long but it makes me laugh every time.
6. Winter or Summer?
I would have to lean towards summer because I don’t do too well in the cold, but my favorite time of year has always been early fall.
A few weeks ago, The Pajama Company took over a local high school in Connecticut for a photo shoot. Our brave models put on flannel pajama sets and hooded onesies and posed in the high school halls, classrooms and courtyards.
Photographer Alex Bordelon captured photos that perfectly reflect what The Pajama Company is all about: fun, friendship, comfort and a little bit of silliness.
Now that you’ve seen the photos, we wanted to get to know the person behind the camera. Bordelon, a high school senior, recently spoke with The Pajama Company about his passions, inspirations and plans for the future.
The Pajama Company: When did you first start taking pictures?
Alex Bordelon: I started taking photos when I was thirteen when I went to Italy. But I didn’t start taking an interest until my sophomore year when I was in an intro to photography class.
TPC: What is your favorite subject to shoot?
Bordelon: My favorite subject to take photos of are people. I love working with people and taking photos of them. It’s fun to bring out a side of them that’s not always seen.
TPC: What do you love about photography?
Bordelon: I love that there are so many ways to get involved with the art. Unlike painting, photography (specifically digital photography) is still a newer medium. Because we’re in the digital age, connecting with people online makes creating art and sharing it even easier. I love how photos can permanently capture a moment in time. I also love how nearly anyone can be a photographer. You can be five or ninety-five and take photos, and that is amazing.
TPC: Taking pictures of people can be tricky. What is your best tip for taking better pictures of people?
Bordelon: When working with people in a studio, or on any photo shoot, you need to make them feel comfortable. Most people aren’t used to having cameras and lights in their faces. By making them comfortable you’re able to get to that vulnerability people have when their guard is down. Telling jokes, playing music, and just talking with your subject will make getting the shot you want easier. The other piece of advice I can give is practice. As cliche as it sounds, the more you work with people and work with a camera the better you get at it.
TPC: Which is your favorite photo from The Pajama Company shoot?
Bordelon: My favorite photo from The Pajama Company shoot is the group photo in the studio (Ed note: It’s the one featured above!). It’s really difficult to get a group photo like that where everyone looks good. I’m really inspired by photographers like Annie Leibovitz. She has so many fantastic photos from her job at Vanity Fair and her project with Disney.
TPC: How do you plan to make photography a part of your future?
Bordelon: I love photography but making it big in the art world is incredibly hard. I’d love to work as a photographer for a big magazine like Vanity Fair, Harpers Bazar, or Vogue. I will be attending DePaul University in the Fall and I plan on majoring in International Relations and minoring in photography. Even though photography is my biggest passion, I still need the security of finding a job if I’m unable to break into the business. I still want to keep it on the back burner and take photos as much as possible while in school. If I don’t make it maybe I’ll be able to retire early and pursue it then. Either way, I will be involved with photography. When you’re that passionate about something, it’s nearly impossible for it to leave your life.
Check out more photos of Alex and the models behind the scenes of the high school photo shoot in this video.
We have seen pajamas on the runway and the red carpet. Now it’s your turn to show us how you are styling your pj’s.
This week The Pajama Company is holding the Pajama Street Fashion Photo Contest. The person who submits the best photo of themselves wearing an outfit that features pajamas as part of a fashionable daily outfit will win “Anchors Away” red check capri pajama pants. (Refer to Official Contest Rules for more information)
Now that stars like Rihanna and Salma Hayek have been spotted looking stylish in their pajamas, there is no question that pajamas outside of the house is a fashion trend. And why shouldn’t it be? Pajamas are comfortable, lightweight and flattering.
If you can’t get your hands on Rihanna’s Pucci pajamas, there’s still hope. We have tips to help you make this trend your own and examples of how to do so with pieces from our collection.
To turn your sleepwear into street wear, just follow these three rules:
Rule #1 Wearing pajamas out of the house is not an excuse to look sloppy. Take a shower, do your hair and make-up and make sure your pajamas are clean and freshly ironed.
Rule #2 Pair your pajamas with non-sleepwear accessories like heels or sandals or a classic blazer or cardigan.
Rule #3 Be creative!
—
Here are a few examples using items from our own collection.
Pair these Navy Toile Classic Flannel Pajama Pants
with a navy blue sweater (like this one from stylebop.com)
and blue flats (like these from Steve Madden)
Complete the outfit with accessories like a scarf or bracelets.
Roll up the legs of these pajamas to the length of a cropped pant.
Pair with a black tank top and denim shirt (like this one from Lands End)
Finally, The Pajama Company has an official song. “The Pajama Song” was written and recorded by Alex Badanes, the son of The Pajama Company founder and president Ellie Badanes and the lead guitarist in the pop band Love Via Dance Machine. Check out the song and music video below. Warning: It’s catchy!
Now, Lucky Magazine is weighing in on the trend. They say you can wear your pajamas out in public and still be the best dressed in the room. Of course, we couldn’t agree more.
To help transform your nighttime look into night wear, Lucky provides five easy rules.
The most important in our book: Don’t neglect your hair and makeup. Take a shower, do your hair and makeup as usual, put on a freshly ironed pair of pj’s and feel confident stepping out in style.
Here at The Pajama Company, we love to lounge and think summer is the perfect season to kick back and relax. Not sure how to start this adventure of “Chilln’?” Begin by finding your perfect “Happy Place.” Find it and and go back to it often. Maybe it is plopped under your favorite tree, in your garden, on your deck or porch, poolside or just in a quiet corner of your home. Whether you have all day or just 20 minutes to spare, use the time doing what you love. Settle in with your journal and add one more page, daydream, meditate, snooze, write a blog post, read the next chapter of the book you started months ago or simply sit.
For some, taking time to relax is daunting. For some, life is such a whirl that stepping away even for a moment is stress inducing. Funny how it’s possible for lounging to be stressful. For some, it truly is. For the type A, overstressed we say start the process of relaxing a little slower. Start by coming home and just doing a quick change from work clothes to pj’s or boxers. Something so simple can work very well to melt away a few tense muscles. It’s you saying, “I’m home.” You’ve officially left the office, the playground, the sports field, the “Mom” taxi. You may still have tons to do but putting on pj’s means you are home. Many tell us that they do their best work in pajamas and we believe it.
We love to talk about lounging and love lounging in pj’s. We know grabbing a little quiet time is so healthy and rejuvenating. Find your “Happy Place” and go there, even for just a moment. You will thank yourself.
Summer is the time to smile a little more, laugh a little more and simply do what you love a little more.
