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I guess it's not unusual to go to the grocery store in the middle of the night and see people with their pajama bottoms sticking out under their jackets or coats. This kind of thing happens when your child gets sick at 2:00 in the morning and you have to rush out to the 24-hr store to buy some medicine or whatever. In those situations it is completely understandable that you wouldn't stop to change into some regular clothes first. But these days, I am noticing more and more people out in public during normal daytime hours wearing what amounts to pajamas.

In the stores and on websites, these clothes, which are not quite pajamas and not quite sweatpants either, are billed as "lounge wear" or sometimes even "active wear". They are usually made from cotton, have a drawstring, and are available in either solid or print patterns. Depending on where you buy them from, they range in price from about $12 a pair to about $32 a pair. Whatever the label, it's clear (to me, at least) that these items are meant to be worn inside the home. I've discussed this trend with several friends and family members of varying ages, and opinions are mixed as to whether or not it is appropriate to wear this stuff when you go shopping at the local mall.

First, I talked to one of my cousins who is still in college. She said that it's not uncommon to see both men and women going to class in those kinds of clothes, especially if the classes are early in the morning. She went on to say that she spends at least 30 minutes every morning choosing her clothes and doing her hair and makeup, so she can understand how some people would just prefer to sleep in, roll out of bed, and walk to class with whatever they've got on. At my high school, we were allowed to wear pretty much anything we wanted during my first two years there. Then the school instituted a dress policy, and today's lounge wear definitely would have been banned under those rule. I have to say that I noticed a distinct difference in my own attitude toward school when I followed the dress code. I took my classes more seriously because I was dressed for the part.

I then talked to a couple of friends who are my age (early thirties). One friend said that while she personally wouldn't wear that type of clothing to the store, she isn't bothered by people who do. She said that as long as they are covered up and wearing something, she doesn't care what it is. The other friend I asked said that she finds it a bit disconcerting to see a grown man out in public who can't even be bothered to get dressed before leaving the house.

Even though I enjoy comfortable clothing as much as the next person, I am decidedly against wearing pajamas or other pajama-like outfits in public arenas. So I can't wait until this lounge wear trend goes away and people start putting regular clothes on when they go outdoors!