One morning in Paris as I ventured to the salle de bain in my pajamas, Madame Chic stopped me. The look on her face was one of concern.
“Jennifer,” she said (in French, bien sûr), “Did I do that in the laundry?”
She was referring to the hole in the knee of my sweat pants- my favorite white sweat pants that I wore religiously.
“Oh no!” I exclaimed, eager to ease her mind. “These have had a hole in the knee for ages!”
The look of concern on Madame Chic’s face grew to one of confusion. “Why would you keep them if they have a hole in the knee?” she asked.
I remember looking at her, in her chic kimono style dressing gown- her hair pulled gently back from her face. “That is a very good question,” I said with embarrassment. “I don’t know.”
And the truth was, I didn’t know. Why did I haul my ratty old holey sweatpants all the way from California to Paris (Paris!) to wear as sleepwear? Yes, they were comfortable, but they weren’t that comfortable. I was instantly horrified/ enlightened.
That afternoon I headed straight to Etam and bought some suitable pajamas. (I’ll never forget them. I bought two pairs- a cream colored structured button down pajama set and a pretty orange lace chemise) The white holey sweatpants were thrown in the bin.
From that moment on, I developed a taste for lovely sleepwear...
My favorite brands are Calvin Klein Intimates (they put out beautiful pieces each season) and Intimissimi (I purchase something from their Kings Road shop whenever I am in London).
I used a recent gift certificate to Bloomingdales on this beautiful set of sleepwear by Calvin Klein (pictured above and below). I really enjoy sets because you can mix and match the options. I purchased a chemise, camisole, pant and dressing gown- all black with a plum lace trim. Perfectly understated and the sort of item that I wouldn’t mind anyone seeing me in…
Madame Chic would be so proud…
13 comments:
I've had favorite clothing like that too. It just gets SO comfortable My sleepwear isn't anything too fancy. Boxers and sometimes a T-shirt. I guess I could fancy it up a bit!
I am so guilty of this sort of thing but I have to say just last month I got disgusted with what I was calling pajamas and I went shopping. I came home with 2 new pairs of pajamas. They are cute, cool, and comfy and fit to be seen. I really do feel better! (And I am sure my family is happier) :)
I love the Calvin Klein sleepwear. I have to check it out. As I type this I am wearing a Victoria's Secret night shirt based on your recommendation. Now I can't sleep in frayed or old sleepwear!
i love that you put so much care into your sleepwear. it is beautiful. i love loungewear too. i just can't seem to sleep in anything though. i get all tangled up. no one around here is complaining though!
~janet
Oh, how funny that you should post this now! I was looking at sleepwear yesterday, ready to pull the trigger and buy something for my (first-ever) trip to Paris...it just seemed...right. And then I wondered if I was perhaps searching for justification...
...now I know I need to go right back and get the very set I had been carrying around!
I will, of course, be referring DH to you when the bill comes through. ;)
How elegant your choice of sleepwear is....
I could have learned a lot if I had Madame Chic as as mentor as well...lucky you!
Isn't Janet the cutest?
Great lesson learned, pretty lingerie makes you feel so good. I've always had a penchant for silky sleepwear, so France has been a dream for me. A boulangerie and lingerie boutique on nearly every corner!!
How are you feeling? It is very close now isn't it. All my best to you my friend;
Mimi
Michael- Fancy it up! You won't regret it :)
Lisa- I love that you purchased new pajamas last month... A lot of the time I think pajamas are low on my priority list (I'd would rather buy clothes) but what my family sees me in at home is just as important (if not more!) than what strangers see me in throughout the day...
Rebecca- I'm so glad you got the Victoria's Secret night shirt- isn't it the best? I love that it is so comfortable and cute. The sort of thing you wouldn't mind being caught in!
Janet- lol! I'm sure no one is complaining! That is the other alternative- beautiful sleepwear or nothing at all (maybe some perfume like Marilyn Monroe?) too funny.
Scentscelf- haha- yes you can refer DH to me. I will diffuse the situation. I hope you go out and purchase your pieces- you deserve them! xo
Hostess- Janet is the cutest. And yes I was very lucky to learn these lessons from Madame Chic... I don't know where I would be today with out her (although I didn't quite know it at the time).
Mimi- Oh you are so lucky to be in France amid all those lovely lingerie shops. Even the less expensive ones have beautiful options... xxx
Madame Chic would be Madame six foot under if she saw my pjs. I once loved glam nightwear but now feel happy as a clam in my patterned very unglam pjs. I always dread a fire if I had to rush out in them with my curlers in! I don't wear Flinstones pjs, I hasten to add - all floral of course! xx
this made me giggle- I always try to have nice sleepwear and house clothes but somehow it doesn't last- Madame Chic would be horrified with me
One of my big goals this year is to get rid of dodgy pajamas, underwear, robes and house shoes. When my husband returns from Afghanistan, he's going to be thrilled! Thanks for the inspiration. Also, I wish the Intimissimi were available online or here in the States. I'm off to Paris in a few weeks. Perhaps new pajamas will be my luxury treat to bring home!
Jennifer -
In the interest of starting off the New Year right... I looked up Intimissimi on the internet: http://uk.intimissimi.com/category/products/nightwear/pc/4803/4905.uts
Have you ever ordered from them online?
Also, in general, would you say that the sizing is pretty standard to what we are used to in the US?
Thank you for your help in this area!
Hi Maven- I have not ordered Intimissimi online- I've only bought straight from their shops in the UK... but I found that their sizes really run true to size. The last time I was in England in the fall I never made it to their London shop and was so sad! They have really great sleepwear... Good luck!
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