Time period post: staying in | House clothes and lounge wear
Another request! This is a good addition to one my more recent posts on clothing, this one will focus on pajamas, casual, house clothes and underwear. There’s less to say than you’d think, I’m just very roundabout.
Loungewear-
The initial idea for loungewear comes from a time where dressing multiple times a day (at least for certain groups) and activities was still the norm. Even as the stricter “motoring outfit -> day outfit -> dinner outfit” idea went away the sense of still looking put together and specific clothing was still through the 40s and 50s. Loungewear was designed to emulate the look of beach clothes or other casual wear but be made of comfortable, flexible materials that were— well, for lounging.
In the 60s casual and comfortable all day clothes were becoming a norm, loungewear still emulated nicer outfits but it would begin to lean into the pajama edge a bit more. Loungewear was less a specific activity clothing (though still heavily tied) and now an extra level of casual. There were even “hostess suits” made for entertaining— what is an early sister to the full on jump suit. This is different from the pajama parties of teen girls.
Slippers! Go more plush and soft and cutesy then ever, house shoes more and more start to be associated with pajamas more than all day at home wear. They also get cutesy and more decorative.
Pajamas-
The types of pajamas doesn’t change all too much since the 1950s, nightgowns, night shirts, two-piece sets are still the main standard. Like a lot of clothing the first changes are too the materials, than the colors, then the patterns, like with daytime length- shorts and Skirts got a little shorter. ‘Babydoll’ style sets had been around since the late 40s but really became a darling of starlets and models— the everyday girl still has her tank top nightgown or shirt and capris.
For guys, who aren’t just sleeping in their underwear, the nightshirt is still a thing— usually among grown, older men. The typical button down or long shirt combo gets more variation in color and comfort- or shirtless. This is just how they’re sold not necessarily how they’re worn to bed.
There was a particular flourishing in the industry with “Slumber parties” and “pajama parties” amongst teens, particularly teen girls. In this case they’re a bit more structured than ones today, there might be more literal party elements like a set aside snack table or pre-chosen activities- not always. But it was a good opportunity to show off cute outfits, share products, socialize etc.
Another important shift besides color and material is how T-shirts and Tank tops shift into being “outerwear” and not just undershirts, women’s clothes has had tank top variations but this is more broad. Now, this started in the late 40s-50s (Marlon Brando is involved) but starts to pick up more steam- t-shirts aren’t just under clothes or for school sports but stand more and more on their own— the graphic t-shirt will have its height in the 1970s.
Greasers are sort of ahead of the curb on this one too, it’s like I said in the most recent fashion post. Alternative and working class styles get folded into the mainstream towards the end of the decade, not quite during the events of the book but the start is there.
Underwear-
Think I’ve briefly mentioned (ha) before but I’ll do another rundown here. Like all fashion, new materials, colors and patterns are available and quickly capitalized on for their marketability. It’s not just practical, now it’s stylish! Lace… lingerie! Color! Pattern, stitching on briefs! Nylon and spandex take off.
The girdle and garter combo is almost taken out by the introduction of pantyhose> stockings but it adapts and lasts out a few more strong years. Sleeker, stronger— shorter because skirt length is (it’s the underskirt with the clips). Still form fitting but smaller and more comfortable. Slip dresses! Still fairly popular depending on the clothing type and age.
Double-seat briefs, more support, stronger and better fitting. Briefs would remain the most popular form of men’s underwear until boxer briefs in the 1990s and a cultural shift.
For girls “hip huggers”, similar to the pants style.
Important too is how “teenagers” are now a fully distinct market and are met for everything possible. In this case colors and styles and even practical things like “first bra”.
Wash up-
While society continued to move away from specific clothing for nearly every occasion (again amongst particular groups), the central ideas of presentable and practical/fitting to your day was still strong. Like for a day at the park you’re much more casual but for a department store or play you’re much nicer dress. You have more “outdoorsy” Clothes.Robes and loungewear should stay in your house, sweatpants in the gym, etc.
What is universal among all would be washing up for dinner, if you have it as a family or a holiday, and church clothes being your nicest, cleanest kept attire. While richer folks would have more nicer outfits than “church clothes” the principle behind it is still applicable.
There was an expectation that when you’d leave the house you could be casual, but should still be presentable. It’s still a tiny bit more formal than “casual” is imagined now. Hair done, proper pants on and so on. You could get away with a ‘mid way’ look too, when out running errands and it’s clear someone’s getting ready for an event later. Like having rollers in at the grocery store. (There’s nuance to this, the harshest expectations were on upper to upper middle class)
