Pyjama Fashion of the 1920s and 1930s

Ethel c1920 Black cotton pyjamas with oriental design

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The black cotton pyjama pants have wide legs with bands of orange at the hem. The pyjamas have two different sleeveless tops, one in black and the other in orange, both decorated with oriental designs in orange, black and blue. The pyjamas were worn with a loose kimono style wrap and lace cap. 

Sometime during the mid-to-late 1920s, pyjamas appeared outside the bedroom as swimsuit cover-ups on the beaches of the French Riviera. Beach pyjamas soon became a double-duty garment for the relaxed resort lifestyle, one that navigated easily from beach to cocktail party. Pyjamas worn for entertaining or relaxing at home became lounge pyjamas.

During the 1920s, beach or lounge pyjamas were usually two-piece ensembles accompanied by a matching wrap. Though pyjamas were available in a tremendous variety of colours and patterns, textile patterns that borrowed freely from China and Japan were especially popular.

 

 

 

 

 

Alternate Top

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Close up of Embroidery