He said, she said: Are pajamas socially acceptable?

MAIREAD BROCK
PHOTOGRAPHER

LOTTIE CARMAN
LAYOUT EDITOR

10/14/2024

She said:

Wearing pajamas to class has been a common phenomenon that has been normalized throughout the United States and Alma College. I think it can be agreed upon that there are appropriate times to wear pajamas, but nonetheless, it is socially acceptable to wear pajamas around campus and to class.

Alma College students are known for being involved in a plethora of clubs, sports and extracurricular activities. I think it is safe to say that many Alma students may feel a large amount of stress in their everyday lives. Wearing pajamas is a comfort tool that allows students to sit comfortably in a classroom during long lectures or a series of consecutive classes in one day.

Many types of pajama pants are a stylish fashion trend used during fall and winter months. The known red and black checkered pants is a style that is likely to not go away anytime soon. Especially as the days are getting colder, sometimes common everyday clothes just do not cut it. Pajamas are designed to be warm and soft, which will only enhance comfortability in students that are trekking through snow to go to their early morning class.

Like the debate about any other clothes being questionably appropriate, wearing pajamas does not correlate to how the individual and others can learn in a classroom. Personally, would I wear pajamas during a class presentation? Probably not. But I will continue to walk across campus in pajamas for my 8 a.m. Hydrology class, and I have no intention of stopping.

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SCOTT SPARKS
LAYOUT EDITOR

He said:

Wearing pajamas out in public might be seen as a cultural phenomenon, but only to those who frequent Walmart at 11pm. When you are out in public and you have nothing on but an oversized white t-shirt and Cookie Monster sweats, people notice you differently. If that is what you are going for, then go ahead. However, don’t expect professors to think you are taking their class seriously when you have the least amount of thought into your clothing.

When I go to class, I see my professors dressed in professional clothes. This shows that they are serious and take pride in what they do. When a student ambles in wearing clothes that they wore overnight, it might be seen as disrespectful and lazy. Just because you have given up on your GPA, doesn’t mean you should give up on fashion.

When someone dresses more formally, it gives them a sense of confidence and assurance in their everyday life. Some even wear suits or dresses to exams to capitalize on this feeling of confidence. When you wear pajamas out to class, this might have the reverse effect, making you feel tired and unmotivated.

When it comes to the style of pajamas, I can’t deny the classic red and black checkered pants. Believe it or not, this style is so popular that it has its own line of fashion called flannel. If you enjoy the style, go grab a nice flannel shirt and enjoy it in a socially acceptable fashion. Ultimately, everyone is different and can do what they want when they are the ones paying to be there. Just don’t be surprised if we meet and I greet you with a “goodnight.”