The pyjama horoscope

Pjamas. Pjyamas. Pyjamas. Got there in the end. Even now the spelling baffles me. (This is from a student studying English at Oxford...) 

Pyjamas, as well as having a funny name, are funny things in themselves. Think about it: a whole new ‘outfit’ just for bed time. Despite the fact that only you, yourself and your bed will see these pyjamas - and possibly your partner – the pyjama industry has never been bigger. But there are so many options out there. And actually, after speaking to a couple of friends, there are also a number of alternatives. 

All this got me thinking - could it be that your preferred night time dress says something about who you are? Quite possibly.

Introducing your official pyjama horoscope…..

All-in-one night shirt

Image: Asos

Often seen in films following a loved up night between the lead couple, the buttoned up shirt (whether your own or your partners) is fuss free and sexy. You don’t mind if your hairs a bit like a birds nest, you strut around making breakfast humming along to Always Look on the Bright Side of Life. The all-in-one night shirt is chilled and laid back – a bit like you then.

Silk chemise/slip

Image: Breakfast at Tiffanys

Pass me a glass of champagne darling, no matter it’s before bed. And my fur trimmed/embroidered night cap. Now, just give me a minute to apply my Elizabeth Arden night cream....

Yes, you are a true lady. You ooze sophistication, glamour and all round class. Your pyjamas have to be silk because only silk will do. The fact that pyjamas are for sleeping is not a factor – you never know who might turn up. High maintenance? Never!

Onesie

Image: Imgix

You give Cara Develegnine a run for her money when it comes to pulling funny faces. You’re the first to crack a joke at a dinner party and your favourite type of crisp is Monster Munch. The onesie began during a night in with your girls – now, it’s your ultimate sleeping staple.

Oversized T-shirt and knickers

Image:rlv.zcache

For the party animal. Your nights out usually end around 3-4am and, after a stop for chips , all you want is your bed. With no time to dig out your matching pyjamas which haven’t seen daylight (or should that be night-time) in the last 5 years, you go for the T-shirt and knickers. Comfortable and easy. Friends describe you as up for a laugh, down-to-earth and a tad lazy.

Matching jim jams

Image: Asos

A classic. Found on the girl who never does anything too outrageous. Assignments are always handed in on time and you have a soft-spot for both baking and puppies. For you, the best pyjamas are comfortable and preferably matching. Whether its polka dots or heart designs, you’re a sucker for all things cute. 

And finally….your birth suit

Image:dreamstime

‘Of course I wear pyjamas!’ (Biggest white lie ever). You are super confident and it shows – not many people would sleep completely naked. But for you, it’s the best way. You’re the first to indulge in an extra piece of cake, you like to shower with the temperature on full heat and yes you like your red wine. If sleeping with no pyjamas equals more comfort, then heck you’ll do it. Sensuality is your second name.  

The biggest love-hate relationship in fashion

Is it me, or are shoes one of the hardest things to buy?  So you find a beautiful pair of stilettos (not hard) only to try them on and look like you are practicing for the next world tightrope championship. Or you find a pair of black wedges that are just what you were looking for, only to find they don’t have them in your size. Even after you ransacked the entire shelf. And waited for them to check the entire stockroom - twice.

Aged five: what do you mean they don't have my size!? 
Image: onestoryslinger

It seems the only shoes where you can’t really go wrong are flip flops. Which isn’t surprising given the simple design – piece of plastic with a strap doesn't leave much room for 'shoe problems.' No wonder they have become a commercial asset. Many a time I bought a glossy magazine just for the free flip flops and I still have my complimentary spa flip flops from Champneys last year. (If only all shoes were this free!)

Yet most shoes are not that simple. I wish they were, for right now I am in the desperate need of some new shoes. (disintegrating pumps is never a good look.) Any excuse to buy shoes right? Wrong. For me – and I suspect many other people – it turns out to be an outright hassle as you trawl the shops to find a pair that:

1) Look good
2) Come in your size
3) Come in your size and actually feel like they do
4) Be of decent quality
5) Won’t cost the earth
6) Reaches the standard of any former shoes you are replacing
7) Not be green

The shoe checklist
Image:123rf

That’s SEVEN criteria right there. (or 6 if you love green shoes). And that’s not even factoring in all the additional criteria when shopping for a particular occasion.

The problem is we never learn – if I see a beautiful pair of black killer heels that fit and feel fine for the brief ‘trial walk’ then yep I’m gonna buy them. And yes we WILL complain when we go out and have been dancing for what seems like an age (but is actually 15 minutes) and our feet feel like they are burning up, being crunched or undergoing some other form of foot torture. However, shoes remain a girl’s best friend. We have evolved to automatically hold  a soft spot for them, despite the stress they often cause.

If there was ever a love-hate relationship in fashion, this is it.
  

Image:jezebel

Wear what suits you - not what's on trend

Being a ‘slave of fashion’ is, I think, one of the worst things to be when it comes to the world of fashion. Why? Because it suggests oppression in an industry that should allow individuals to express themselves however they want. It suggests that current trends are something one must follow to the nearest (24) inch catwalk waist. It suggests that obsessing over being ‘on trend’ is more important than enjoying fashion.Yet the irony is, it’s pretty much impossible given how fast paced this industry is - you have more chance of keeping up with Mo Farah on the racetrack then the trends on the catwalk!

Image:askyourface

Don’t get me wrong I LOVE seeing what is kicking off right now. But does that mean I’ll suddenly go out and ensure that I follow it? Hell no. Take the pale pink trend last year. Seeing those gorgeous, marshmallow pink coats on the catwalk made me feel very tempted to buy one. Indeed, after looking around I actually found quite a few that I liked the look of. Sadly, none of them suited me. The colour - baby pink - goes against every inch of my personality (far too cute for my liking). Then there's the fact pink is my least favourite colour.

Image: stylecab

If I had bought any of those coats it would have been purely because it was ‘on trend’ - not because it looked good or I actually liked it on me. And think about crocs. They were massive for some time and could be seen EVERYWHERE but many women (myself included) refused to wear them, despite the craze. (NB: even If Beyoncé began to wear them I could never be a fan).

Image: wired

The point is trends or fashion crazes come and go, but style stays with you. It's always best to wear what you look good in and what you feel good in.  If this so happens to be something on trend, then great! If not, who cares? The fashion police are a myth, after all. We've all been there when we see something gorgeous on the hanger only to try it on and hate the damn thing. A mini skirt on one person might look great – but on another may make them feel body conscious or uncomfortable. 

Fashion is most fun when you do YOU. Embrace your own style and wear what you know will look good.Yes, it’s great to get inspiration from trends and the catwalk but there really shouldn’t be any pressure to follow them, if that’s not what you want. But given that some are pretty crazy, I guess that's just as well!