Fashion: Let pyjama suits turn night to day

No longer just for bedtime, pyjamas are perfect for daytime and evening wear. Stephanie Smith has advice on how to wear the trend - even to the school gates.
Floral blouse and matching trousers, coming soon to Debenhams.Floral blouse and matching trousers, coming soon to Debenhams.
Floral blouse and matching trousers, coming soon to Debenhams.

Just when you thought it was never going to be safe to go back to the supermarket or the school gates wearing your pyjamas, along comes the PJ-style trouser suit as a bona fide SS16 fashion trend for day wear and evening wear.

In a move set to see head teachers and store managers wringing their hands in consternation and concern at such woeful displays of sartorial loucheness setting shocking examples to school children and customer service assistants, the world of fashion has decided that sleepwear is in fact an all-day affair, and the pyjama suit therefore has been appropriated for use outside of bedtime hours.

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However, just before you decide to go for it by leaping directly out of your bed and into your Uggs to meet the world, there are a few catches to bear in mind. We are not talking about your ordinary, actual pyjamas here. We are talking rather posh PJs – with careful accessorising essential to ensure that wearers do not look as if they would rather be chilling at home with a box of cereal.

Sports shine ultra-relaxed look on the catwalk from Pringle of Scotland.Sports shine ultra-relaxed look on the catwalk from Pringle of Scotland.
Sports shine ultra-relaxed look on the catwalk from Pringle of Scotland.

The silk floral relaxed trouser suit is a key look. Dolce & Gabbana sent down the runway for spring/summer 2016 some striking, loose-fitting trousers and matching piped-edge collared shackets (shirt meets jacket styles) in sapphire blue silk with an all-over print of white hibiscus – far too lovely to consign to the boudoir.

Florals have in fact been instrumental in the PJs for day wear trend, but forget anything chintzy or sprigged in pastel shades, and instead go for elegant blooms set against a sophisticated backdrop of rich colour. Look at House of Fraser and East for options.

They make ideal evening wear, languid and laid-back (but in a good way) and perfect to wear with both heels and flats. Steer clear of slipper-style shoes, even though these too are a summer trend – it’s all too much.

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Try a PJ-style silk jacket top worn open over a cami top, or experiment with a silky, filmy shirt, for a 1930s-style androgynous appeal. In fact, in both print and plain colour, silk PJ-style jackets work wonderfully well as office and weekend wear, and as evening wear, so consider teaming one with your jeans or with slim smart cropped trousers and a strappy top or lace blouse.

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Floral print top, £25; floral print trousers £35; sandals, £25. All at BHS.,
Floral print top, £25; floral print trousers £35; sandals, £25. All at BHS.
, Floral print top, £25; floral print trousers £35; sandals, £25. All at BHS.

Silky wide-leg floral print trousers also work very well as a separate, especially with summer holidays in mind, to team with crisp white tees and flat sandals for daytime sightseeing, then dress up for evening with heels, a black or white chiffon blouse and a statement metallic clutch bag.

For a minimalist, super-relaxed PJ-inspired look, go for whites and creams, in light fabrics, layered together. Again, it’s important that the trousers are loose-fitting, although they don’t have to be wide-leg. Hareem-style joggers that clasp the ankle work very well indeed for this look, so create your own take by first finding yourself a pair (they really are very flattering and so comfortable) and layering over a light cotton, silk or chiffon top (a long asymmetric hemline style works well), and then with a light jacket over, also in white or cream, in possibly a kimono or wrap shape – beautiful with sandals, flat or heeled. Perfect already but add gold jewellery and you’re good to go pretty much anywhere, all summer long (as long as it’s not too dirty and dusty).

As the spring and summer progresses, the sleeveless PJ-style top could prove a must-have, whether you wear with matching trousers or not. And consider a sportier look, with sweat-style floral or leaf printed top and matching joggers, teamed with white pumps or sneakers.

So there you go – posh PJs can and will be done. Keep hair sleek and accessories smart, and you’ll get away with in style.

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