Wait, Are Pajamas A COVID Thing?

This week, the Washington Post ran a story in the Style section titled “This Is Our Pajama Moment.” The article goes on to survey the current state of the pajama industry, interviewing market players and concluding that pajamas are endemic to a “housebound nation.”

This may be true. I’m not one to argue the numbers, and there is certainly logic to the fact that as people were forced to spend more time in their home, they would be willing to spend more money on what they wear at home. But still, did people really not wear pajamas before COVID? After reading the article, I think it would be more accurate to say this is our luxury pajama moment. The story highlights Eberjey, a pajama company whose $120 Gisele set is one of Oprah’s favorites:

Gisele Long PJ Set — $54 to $139

As the Washington Post also notes, ’tis the season for matching pajama sets, as many PJ purchases will “be fueled by the performative need to share family pix in matching Christmas sleepwear on social media, the 21st-century visual take on the braggy holiday letter, throwing in the pooch for good measure.” This one I take issue with. Luxury pajamas may be a COVID thing, but holiday pajamas are certainly not a social media thing. For decades, families have been unwrapping matching PJs on Christmas Eve, taking a family photo and then going to sleep so St. Nicholas can arrive. There is nothing exhibitionist or “braggy” about it. Does everything that gets documented via photograph have to be caused by a desire to show off on Instagram? This seems like a rewriting of history, giving our tech overlords way more power than they deserve.

Matching Family Pajamas Christmas Boys and Girls Red Striped Jammies — $8.99 to $37.99

A lot of things have changed because of COVID, and pajama habits may be one of those things. But unlike banana bread or “Tiger King,” many families would be purchasing matching PJs around this time of year anyway. Could it be possible that this is actually just a “family moment”? If so, I can see why that’d be something the Post would be loath to admit.