This article is from the source 'guardian' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2016/jan/30/is-it-ok-to-wear-pyjamas-in-public-darlington-head-teacher-primary-school
The article has changed 5 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| Is it OK to wear pyjamas in public? | Is it OK to wear pyjamas in public? |
| (7 months later) | |
| Viv Groskop, comedian No. It’s not OK to wear pyjamas in public. The headteacher of a primary school in Darlington wrote to parents last week saying that she had noticed “an increasing tendency to escort children to and from school while still wearing their pyjamas and, on occasion, even slippers”. Since then, at least one mother at the school has defied the ban, in a bobbly scarlet flannelette pair complete with matching red Uggs. “I am running late. I even forgot to put my false teeth in.” Hmm. This lady was suspiciously co-ordinated (and wearing earrings) for the waiting photographers at the school gate. Even if she did keep her mouth closed for the pictures. | Viv Groskop, comedian No. It’s not OK to wear pyjamas in public. The headteacher of a primary school in Darlington wrote to parents last week saying that she had noticed “an increasing tendency to escort children to and from school while still wearing their pyjamas and, on occasion, even slippers”. Since then, at least one mother at the school has defied the ban, in a bobbly scarlet flannelette pair complete with matching red Uggs. “I am running late. I even forgot to put my false teeth in.” Hmm. This lady was suspiciously co-ordinated (and wearing earrings) for the waiting photographers at the school gate. Even if she did keep her mouth closed for the pictures. |
| We’ve all been late for school and we’ve all left the house looking a mess. But if you wouldn’t let your children go to school in their pyjamas, why would you let them see you doing it? I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me on the school run, but I do care what I think of myself. Leaving the house in still-warm pyjamas is a sign that something isn’t right. | We’ve all been late for school and we’ve all left the house looking a mess. But if you wouldn’t let your children go to school in their pyjamas, why would you let them see you doing it? I don’t care what anyone else thinks of me on the school run, but I do care what I think of myself. Leaving the house in still-warm pyjamas is a sign that something isn’t right. |
| Failing to show yourself the basic self-respect required to get dressed is miserable | Failing to show yourself the basic self-respect required to get dressed is miserable |
| Tamsin Blanchard, fashion writer The thing is, we are sending out totally mixed messages. At least once a year, we send our children to school clutching their golden coin and wearing their pyjamas for Red Nose Day or some other charity. They see it as a treat, like it’s a good thing, a way to help save the world. Of course, I am not in favour of them wearing them every day (that would spoil the pyjama day) but I am all in favour of comfort. | Tamsin Blanchard, fashion writer The thing is, we are sending out totally mixed messages. At least once a year, we send our children to school clutching their golden coin and wearing their pyjamas for Red Nose Day or some other charity. They see it as a treat, like it’s a good thing, a way to help save the world. Of course, I am not in favour of them wearing them every day (that would spoil the pyjama day) but I am all in favour of comfort. |
| But this is not about the children, it’s about their parents and how they present themselves. Wearing pyjamas at the school gates says to me that the parent has put their child first and has probably been up since the crack of dawn baking cakes for the school cake stall, helping their children with their homework, making breakfast, making packed lunches, ensuring older siblings get to their schools on time with their teeth brushed and their PE kit together, and that younger siblings have had their nappies changed. When exactly are they supposed to have time to get dressed themselves? | But this is not about the children, it’s about their parents and how they present themselves. Wearing pyjamas at the school gates says to me that the parent has put their child first and has probably been up since the crack of dawn baking cakes for the school cake stall, helping their children with their homework, making breakfast, making packed lunches, ensuring older siblings get to their schools on time with their teeth brushed and their PE kit together, and that younger siblings have had their nappies changed. When exactly are they supposed to have time to get dressed themselves? |
| Of course, some would say that Uggs, red or otherwise, are never acceptable, but then I am often to be seen first thing (and in fact the rest of the day) wearing bright yellow felt bootees because a) they are warm, and b) they are comfortable. So who am I to judge? | Of course, some would say that Uggs, red or otherwise, are never acceptable, but then I am often to be seen first thing (and in fact the rest of the day) wearing bright yellow felt bootees because a) they are warm, and b) they are comfortable. So who am I to judge? |
| VG You make an important point about judgment here. And that’s where I part company with the Darlington headteacher. I agree that parents shouldn’t wear pyjamas to school. But if they are doing this, get someone who knows them well to have a word and see if everything is OK. Public shaming can be cruel and frequently backfires. Look what has happened in this case. Now they’re not only in pyjamas, they’re not even putting their teeth in. Next week they’ll come wheeled in on a hospital trolley. | VG You make an important point about judgment here. And that’s where I part company with the Darlington headteacher. I agree that parents shouldn’t wear pyjamas to school. But if they are doing this, get someone who knows them well to have a word and see if everything is OK. Public shaming can be cruel and frequently backfires. Look what has happened in this case. Now they’re not only in pyjamas, they’re not even putting their teeth in. Next week they’ll come wheeled in on a hospital trolley. |
| Would it be OK if the pyjamas have a designer label in them and are worn with heels? | Would it be OK if the pyjamas have a designer label in them and are worn with heels? |
| The other important thing? “The parent has put their child first.” Yes. But in doing so they have put themselves second. Well, not even second. They didn’t even put themselves on the list. That is what I find gutting. Failing to show yourself the basic self-respect required to get dressed is miserable. This isn’t about aesthetics – your felt bootees sound adorable, Tamsin! – it’s about engaging with life. There are times we all want to put our head under the covers and pretend none of this is happening. But it is. Let’s deal with that fact while wearing clothes we haven’t slept in. | The other important thing? “The parent has put their child first.” Yes. But in doing so they have put themselves second. Well, not even second. They didn’t even put themselves on the list. That is what I find gutting. Failing to show yourself the basic self-respect required to get dressed is miserable. This isn’t about aesthetics – your felt bootees sound adorable, Tamsin! – it’s about engaging with life. There are times we all want to put our head under the covers and pretend none of this is happening. But it is. Let’s deal with that fact while wearing clothes we haven’t slept in. |
| TB But on a purely aesthetic level, wearing pyjamas during the day is actually the height of fashion right now. I’m not clear if the Darlington headteacher would have objected if the parents were turning up in silk pyjamas (as opposed to bobbly flannel) or a nice velvet smoking jacket. But for the past few seasons, the catwalks have been awash with pyjamas as daywear and the fashion crowd love nothing better than to turn up to events in their PJs. | TB But on a purely aesthetic level, wearing pyjamas during the day is actually the height of fashion right now. I’m not clear if the Darlington headteacher would have objected if the parents were turning up in silk pyjamas (as opposed to bobbly flannel) or a nice velvet smoking jacket. But for the past few seasons, the catwalks have been awash with pyjamas as daywear and the fashion crowd love nothing better than to turn up to events in their PJs. |
| And we’re not talking school assemblies here but the red carpet. Rihanna, Sofia Coppola, Cara Delevingne… the list is endless. Cara isn’t averse to an animal print onesie in fact. Would it be OK if the pyjamas have a designer label in them and are worn with heels? And what exactly is the line on the onesie? Pyjamas aren’t just something to sleep in, they are the ultimate fashion statement right now. | And we’re not talking school assemblies here but the red carpet. Rihanna, Sofia Coppola, Cara Delevingne… the list is endless. Cara isn’t averse to an animal print onesie in fact. Would it be OK if the pyjamas have a designer label in them and are worn with heels? And what exactly is the line on the onesie? Pyjamas aren’t just something to sleep in, they are the ultimate fashion statement right now. |
| VG I have just Googled this and Valentino has a crepe de chine set for £1,665. (Really, it’s another world...) But we both know this is not what this is about. I am fine with anyone giving it the full Kardashian on the school run, if that’s what makes them happy. What makes me anxious is the thought of anyone so down on themselves that they can’t be bothered to get dressed. Partly because I know what that feels like. We’ve all had those days. You have to fight them. | VG I have just Googled this and Valentino has a crepe de chine set for £1,665. (Really, it’s another world...) But we both know this is not what this is about. I am fine with anyone giving it the full Kardashian on the school run, if that’s what makes them happy. What makes me anxious is the thought of anyone so down on themselves that they can’t be bothered to get dressed. Partly because I know what that feels like. We’ve all had those days. You have to fight them. |
| I’m sure some of these embattled, stretched mothers will square up and say: “Why can’t I wear pyjamas? Kate Moss wore them to a party last week.” But it’s just passive aggression covering up something else. They’re not dressing up in the latest look. They’ve given up on life and on their responsibilities. We should care about that. And it is always mothers, isn’t it? There is never anything about fathers wearing pyjamas on the school run. I think that would do us in as a society, to see men losing their self-respect like that. In women, we accept it and make a joke of it. Or judge them for being shabby and slutty. Say no to daytime sleepwear! Unless you have a spare £1,665. | I’m sure some of these embattled, stretched mothers will square up and say: “Why can’t I wear pyjamas? Kate Moss wore them to a party last week.” But it’s just passive aggression covering up something else. They’re not dressing up in the latest look. They’ve given up on life and on their responsibilities. We should care about that. And it is always mothers, isn’t it? There is never anything about fathers wearing pyjamas on the school run. I think that would do us in as a society, to see men losing their self-respect like that. In women, we accept it and make a joke of it. Or judge them for being shabby and slutty. Say no to daytime sleepwear! Unless you have a spare £1,665. |
| TB Funnily enough, I saw a dad in his PJs and slippers in my own school playground not that long ago. It just made me smile and think he’d had a busy morning, not that he had given up on life and needed counselling. | TB Funnily enough, I saw a dad in his PJs and slippers in my own school playground not that long ago. It just made me smile and think he’d had a busy morning, not that he had given up on life and needed counselling. |
| You might think the fashion world is a little crazy with its luxury pyjama days, but perhaps it’s not so frivolous as it seems. Pyjamas as daywear are the polar opposite of power dressing (even if the label inside your pyjamas happens to read “Valentino”) and is part of the bigger trend for what is being called “athleisure” wear, which is just a pretentious name for wearing your tracksuit for anything other than running. Sure, some like the Darlington head might see it as a manifestation of all-round slovenliness, a return to the days of Waynetta Slob, but ultimately it’s about the changing face of the workplace. Maybe these parents at the school gates are not going back home to go to bed, but to work. It’s just that their offices are at home and there is no dress code other than practicality and comfort. | You might think the fashion world is a little crazy with its luxury pyjama days, but perhaps it’s not so frivolous as it seems. Pyjamas as daywear are the polar opposite of power dressing (even if the label inside your pyjamas happens to read “Valentino”) and is part of the bigger trend for what is being called “athleisure” wear, which is just a pretentious name for wearing your tracksuit for anything other than running. Sure, some like the Darlington head might see it as a manifestation of all-round slovenliness, a return to the days of Waynetta Slob, but ultimately it’s about the changing face of the workplace. Maybe these parents at the school gates are not going back home to go to bed, but to work. It’s just that their offices are at home and there is no dress code other than practicality and comfort. |
| I think the Darlington head is totally out of tune with the times. Life has become altogether more fluid and more relaxed. In all likelihood, the children who do well in the future will be the ones who stay at home to work, to set up their own businesses. | I think the Darlington head is totally out of tune with the times. Life has become altogether more fluid and more relaxed. In all likelihood, the children who do well in the future will be the ones who stay at home to work, to set up their own businesses. |
| I dislike the way schools have become so businesslike, with teachers wearing suits. Perhaps the pyjama-wearing parents are just protesting against the corporatisation of our schools. And really, if parents are getting their children to school on time, wearing their school uniforms or something else appropriate, I don’t really think it’s anybody’s business how they are dressed themselves. | I dislike the way schools have become so businesslike, with teachers wearing suits. Perhaps the pyjama-wearing parents are just protesting against the corporatisation of our schools. And really, if parents are getting their children to school on time, wearing their school uniforms or something else appropriate, I don’t really think it’s anybody’s business how they are dressed themselves. |