Fighting those urges
@GardenGerty (160879)
United States
January 13, 2013 12:06am CST
Okay, for years I have seen lingerie style dresses. Oh, and the fuzzy fleecy pajama bottoms are everywhere you go in public. A lot of people wear house slippers out to shop. I had this strange and compelling urge today to wear my bathrobe as a coat! ( I did not do it though)
How about it? Honestly, I have not done fancy dress lingerie, or my bathing suit top for a summer top. I do not even own a printed pair of pajama pants and no one is going to catch me wearing men's boxers instead of shorts in the summer. None of these things. How about you? I do see discussions from countries other than the US that talk about having "house clothes" what are they like? Is the US the only country that wants to dress inappropriately in public? I do not have a strict dress code to follow, but most of what I have just mentioned would not be allowed for work. And I surely would not wear it to go shopping.
How about it? Honestly, I have not done fancy dress lingerie, or my bathing suit top for a summer top. I do not even own a printed pair of pajama pants and no one is going to catch me wearing men's boxers instead of shorts in the summer. None of these things. How about you? I do see discussions from countries other than the US that talk about having "house clothes" what are they like? Is the US the only country that wants to dress inappropriately in public? I do not have a strict dress code to follow, but most of what I have just mentioned would not be allowed for work. And I surely would not wear it to go shopping.10 people like this
38 responses
@WildHorses (718)
• United States
16 Jan 13
I keep different clothes for different purposes. I just can't even begin to think of wearing something such as pajamas to go grocery shopping and I have seen it happen plenty. I won't dress up as if I expect someone to hit on me but I will at least wear casual tops with jeans for most outings I go to. It's just plain wrong to see night clothes being worn out. Bathing tops are another story. A female can use it as a part of a suit and no one know of it; that is to wear such as a blazer over.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
They seem to be everywhere, don't they. You can carry it to extremes, like you said, dressing like you expect someone to hit on you, or like you are looking for a date may be too much. On the other hand, I used to dress up just to make myself feel good and pretty. For me, dressing nice makes me feel nice and dressing in poor taste makes me feel kind of down.
@WildHorses (718)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I'm more concerned about people who try to fit into clothes that are too tight for them. umm.. hellooo.. you're not a teenager anymore to fit into everything.
@allknowing (137546)
• India
13 Jan 13
I am particular about what I wear in public and even at home. Once I am up I am into something that I am comfortable with, being seen even in public. My night clothes are only for the night.
Work clothes here in India would be a saree,a skirt and a blouse - not a part of the bathing suit
but a proper blouse sleeveless, short sleeves or may be even full sleeves, a pant and a shirt a salwar kameez and may be a pant suit but never a house coat.
The not so educated would be seen roaming around on the road with their house coat.
but a proper blouse sleeveless, short sleeves or may be even full sleeves, a pant and a shirt a salwar kameez and may be a pant suit but never a house coat.
The not so educated would be seen roaming around on the road with their house coat. 3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
Even here in the United States most of the women I see from India are dressed beautifully. I like that and would love to wear similar things.For the work I do it would not always be appropriate. I like to get up and dress for the day in clothes that will be appropriate for all of my activities. I would not really wear my house coat, but I do like how it fits even over other clothing. It is warm and comfortable and this is a cold day.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
There can be good take aways from every culture. I have seen pictures of the "swimming costumes" women wore to the beach about eighty years ago. I would have drowned.
1 person likes this
@allknowing (137546)
• India
13 Jan 13
The only minus point here is that people will still wear a saree even if they are wading in knee deep water on the beach!
. I admire you Americans who have different clothes for different occasions be it gardening, morning walks, swimming, exercising, the works!
. I admire you Americans who have different clothes for different occasions be it gardening, morning walks, swimming, exercising, the works!2 people like this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
17 Jan 13
Many people in the United States really don't care about the state of their dress. They figure if the pertinent bits are covered they are 'decent'. There are places in the United States that are so hot that I am inclined to agree with them.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
When other people have to look at me, I think I want more than the pertinent bits covered. I get really hot here, and I will wear less around the house and in my yard if no one is about to be watching. I also have been known to have a wading pool up and go in and out of it all day in the summer. Wet T shirt look then.
1 person likes this
@CraftyCorner (5600)
• United States
19 Feb 13
Because of my health and multitudes of medications, I must have air conditioning. There is no arguing how mild a summer or how high the utility bill. I do only keep the bedroom where my bed and computer sit cool. That does keep the power bill somewhat less monstrous.
@jalucia (1431)
• United States
13 Jan 13
It's funny because my mom is always chastising me about what I wear around the house. But I would never wear what I have on in the house outside. And, like you, I don't have a strict code. Have you ever noticed how CNAs and Home Health Aides never take their uniforms off? They'll go shopping, cash their checks and walk around all day with scrubs on after they leave work. I, personally, would at least take the germ infested shirt off. What I really don't appreciate is my kids being exposed to girls who are half dressed and boys whose whole butts are sticking out of their pants. I don't even like my kids to see swimsuit billboards. They will say to me, "Ew, why is she in her underwear." America is lax because they try to be accepting of everybody and everything. So people are constantly trying to push the envelope. And it constantly gets pushed further and further back.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
Around here the hospital keeps its gowns, and gives you back your clothes. However, they never offer to cut off that bracelet. I know many care providers stop at the store on their way home from work. I did the same when I worked in that field. I would make an exception though if I had been exposed to anything very contagious. I have worked in jobs where the direct support people would go shower and change before picking up their kids from day care, to make sure they stayed healthy. America seems to try to put us all down on the same level, instead of bringing us up. Just to prove we are not "too good" for those around us.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Jan 13
Hi jalucia and GG I worked as a nurses aide and i often wore my uniform to shop especially if I was on my way to work.
Believe me my uniform was cleaner and more sanitary than a lot of casual clothes I saw.I took pride in my white uniform and was always clean when I went ou .Usually you have to get home and find the scissors to get the hospital bracelet off your arm
and sometimes they will put on ones for blood transfusions and one for has balance prob ems so you if you are fortunate you can cut them off your left arm but last time I had all three bands on my right arm and had to get my roommate to cut hem off for me.
1 person likes this
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
16 Jan 13
I have never worn my pj's or house shoes out in public. When I was younger several of my friends thought it was fashionable to wear the boxer briefs in public. I thought it was kinda cool too (mid teens) but I would not have been able to get away with it. My parents would have never let me wear them. These days when I go to Walmart I see women walking around wearing the same thing you described, fuzzy fleecy pj bottoms and the house slippers topped off with a wife beater. Most of the time they look as if they have just crawled out of the bed.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
17 Jan 13
Who on earth could even think that was attractive. I might wear something like that in my own back yard. If my clothes that I am wearing at home are skimpy, like when it is hot, I still keep a shirt to go over me if someone comes to the door.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
Yeah, it is for real isn't it? I loved this discussion and all of my friends that participated.
@Shellyann36 (11384)
• United States
21 Jan 13
I was at Dollar General tonight and the woman behind me in line was at least in her late 40's or early 50's.... it was 7:30 at night and she was dressed just like this... she had on those fuzzy jammy pants with a wife beater and bedroom shoes. She topped the ensemble off with a zip up sweatshirt material jacket and a big old bed head. LOL! I thought about this discussion when I saw her.
2 people like this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
24 Jan 13
I know what you mean. It seems to me that people rather be comfortable then uncomfortable. Thats what I think it comes down to. Also, the girls when I was growing up wore those tight jeans and short skirts. But now it seems they wear those tights, no underwear, nothing. It is also a generation thing as well. If you look back, every generation pushed the envelope a little more then the previous one.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I wore some pretty short things, and some pretty tight things and some pretty revealing things. . . when I had the shape, time and money to do so.I believe I am a bit older than you are, too. It seems today the goal is to spend as little time on grooming and appearance as possible. I still feel more "on my game" with styled hair, pretty clothes, make up and jewelry. If I dress like a slob, I feel like a slob. That is why the bathrobe was only a mild urge.
2 people like this
@inertia4 (27960)
• United States
15 Feb 13
Wow, that weird. I just responded to this and it never went through. Oh well. I will try and see if I remember what I wrote. I am 51 and I grew up in the late 70's and 80's. I got married in the 90's. What a mistake. I lost a decade. I remember the styles back then and have seen them change. I also have seen some things come back in style. But each generation does their own thing.
1 person likes this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
13 Feb 13
There used to be a woman where I work that worked graveyard shift. On weekends she would come dressed in her pajamas and sometimes hair in rollers and slippers on etc. I would never do it though. But when you go shopping later at night, you see almost anything especially in some of the lower class neighborhoods.
2 people like this
@KrauseHome (36448)
• United States
23 Feb 13
I know. I never set my hair anymore either. I have a little bit of natural curl to my hair so most of the time I just tend to wear it down in a barrette or a pony tail. And yes, some of the night clothes they are making now are quite comfortable and made of cotton so sometimes you would never know if someone is in their PJS or a night shirt.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I am at home in my sleepwear now, and it feels good. I am trying to stay out of the stores, as I spend less. I guess the only good thing I can think of is that some of those fleece pajama bottoms look better than some other things I have seen. I was raised never to go out in my hair rollers though. And now I never set my hair at all.
2 people like this
@AmbiePam (93739)
• United States
13 Jan 13
Where I used to live the women would wear picks in their hair. You know what I mean by a pick, right? They always tell you to use those when you have a perm instead of a regular brush, I believe. I mean women would come in the Dollar Store (and granted clientele at the dollar store is not high up) with house shoes, curlers, and picks in their hair. Living in Nomran now, I NEVER see that.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
I remember the picks in your hair, but not for me. Of course I did not do perms either too much. I was more the type that had long hair and always had some claw type clips attached to my purse to put my hair up. And pony tail holders or scrunchies on my gear lever. Do you see anything strange in Norman. I would think with it being a university town there would be some pajamas in the store and late night runs to places.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I know about Spencer, my first hubby grew up there. It also really lives up to the term "red neck" but my mom always said they were "green horns". The terms seem to change over the year. Yes, there were more people of color in Spencer.However, the wearing of picks also was considered defensive if they had long sharp handles. Now my older sister went to Star Spencer for a year, but even at other schools she seemed to seek out the "rougher" sort. In her day and age it was metal rat tail combs. My nephew used to live in Norman, and he was pretty strange. I do not know if he was Emo or Goth, it is so funny to think of because he is Navy now. He was the type that did his own piercings, put black nail polish on and dyed his hair bright red and black and wore ninja boots.
@AmbiePam (93739)
• United States
15 Jan 13
I'm not sure how to say this. The picks were always in the hair of a certain race of people. Spencer, where I lived, was primarily one race.
As for Norman, anything strange? Maybe I'm just not going to the right places, but I don't see a lot of people in jammies. Since it's a university town I'm sure there must be, but I don't really recall it.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
16 Jan 13
I do have one pair of men's silk boxer shorts that I wear in the house, not out on the street, in hot weather. Once II had to go to A wedding on short notice and all of my tops were soiled in the laundry I put once satin pajama top that happened to go with my travel skirt. Fortunately I had a large scarf to throw over it as well.I seriously don't think anybody noticed. But in an emergency Sometimes we do what we have to do. You might have enjoyed an article I read online recently about people who wear tights as pants. I would only do that with a sufficiently long Tunic or big shirt.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
17 Jan 13
I think tights under a shortish dress are cute, but then I look at myself in the mirror and that is not the look for me. I can imagine a silk pajama shirt elegantly accessorized in a pinch.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
17 Jan 13
Some people buy extra straps to stick on with the real ones so they have two set going. You just made me flash to the camisole rage where you wear one over another in layers. I would sweat like a pig, even though they are sleeveless and just have straps. I would wear slippers in the car. In fact I take them on long trips so I can be comfy.
2 people like this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
18 Jan 13
I have worn my bathing suit as a top. I've seen people wear PJS in public. Its different when a school has a PJ day but to me pjs shouldnt be worn to work or to a sporting event.
I dont think sexy lingere should be worn in public. I have comfy pants and tops i wear at home but...unless its winter and a heavy coat is going over them they get changed into something nicer for public consumption.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I still have the mental image of "what if you were in an accident, or had to walk cause the car broke down?" I might wear sweats over pajamas, if it is really cold.
1 person likes this
@saundyl (9783)
• Canada
26 Feb 13
My pjs tend to be things like flannel pants and a t-shirt or sweats and a shirt Something is someone wandered into our home when i'm watching tv i wouldn't feel exposed! I don't have a problem with dashing out to my car and starting it in them because the flannel or sweats tend to be warmer than my dress pants for work anyways!
People who wear exposing slinky little jammies in public puzzle me!
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
13 Jan 13
i was just about to say im to old to do that anyway, especially the more riske pjs and bikini tops but looking back, i never did when i would have looked good in them. its a matter of "dont care" like everything else here these days. very few people except for a few older ones care about anything any more. 
most under 40 yrs have no respect. just think about what they want to do. its sad
its a matter of "dont care" like everything else here these days. very few people except for a few older ones care about anything any more. most under 40 yrs have no respect. just think about what they want to do. its sad@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Jan 13
Yeah, none of that is worth a beating, bunnybon. My mom was strict but not abusive. I think people need to respect themselves.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
I wore cute clothes, short shorts or short dresses and cute blouses, but I never wanted to show my belly. I think no one has a mom raising them anymore.
1 person likes this
@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
14 Jan 13
just thinking oh my goshj if my mom ever c uaht m e toing anyplace inmy nighite and robe she wou ld hav ehad a fit as that was night clothes and lounging clothes but not to wear in publicand If I had shown my belly in public I imagine she would hab e spanked me hard lol but my mom did not spank she just gave us the look
she got so sad looking like we had been so naughty we were making her cry and boy did it ever work . I learned to use it on my two also.Little Lisa did not understand so I just would go" no no stp that now."Fpr a so called brain child she was a smart little angel
and she seldom was naughty. My son liked to take care of his little sister so one da y he even tried to give her a hair cut
but he got his scissors caught in her long hair and she cried o
ut"No n W obbie no :" So I came at a run and stopped the hair cut.
ut"No n W obbie no :" So I came at a run and stopped the hair cut.1 person likes this
@Iriene88 (5343)
• Malaysia
16 Jan 13
I hardly see people wearing lingerie out walking about here.
Maybe because I am living in Malaysia (a Muslim/Islamic country).
However, I do see many girls wear very short shorts walking at
the malls. At times in the cinema too wearing a sweater / jacket on
top. I used to tell my son, 'those girls legs do not feel cold in the
air conditioning place like the cinemas?' I normally wear jeans and
t-shirts when I am out and about. Proper pajama at home? NO ...
t-shirt and short is more comfy.
3 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
At home I certainly want to be comfortable. I think we could all be a lot more modest than we are here in the US. I always wondered about people who wored shorts and then sweaters, etc. They sometimes do that even in cool weather here.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Jan 13
Believe me, it's not restricted to the US. Yesterday we were out and about (the sun was out but it was cold so we had to wrap up warm to a certain extent) but the sights I saw were amazing. Inadequate clothing everywhere we went. A guy in ASDA was wearing knee length shorts, a T-shirt and canvas shoes. He was bald too. I realise that he'd probably just nipped out in his car for a few bits but it was really cold outside and I can't understand why he was wearing hardly anything in January.
It has to be a happy medium for me. The other day I made the mistake of OVER-DRESSING by wearing a thicker jacket than usual with my scarf and hat and I regretted it once I got in the shop as it was boiling. Yesterday, I wore my leather jacket (always open) with my big wooly scarf and was snug as a bug in a rug without being hot. I felt much better. I also ditched the hat but gloves were a must!
It has to be a happy medium for me. The other day I made the mistake of OVER-DRESSING by wearing a thicker jacket than usual with my scarf and hat and I regretted it once I got in the shop as it was boiling. Yesterday, I wore my leather jacket (always open) with my big wooly scarf and was snug as a bug in a rug without being hot. I felt much better. I also ditched the hat but gloves were a must!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
There are people who are just naturally warm all the time I guess. I am usually pretty warm, so I go with the unfastened coat, but often gloves. Scarf if I have to be out for a longer period of time. If I do not wear gloves I try to make sure I have some in the car. Leather jackets can be rather toasty, I think.
1 person likes this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
If we all wore our bathrobes for outer wear we would never have a chance to wear our cute fleecy coats, etc.
@Janey1966 (24170)
• Carlisle, England
13 Jan 13
Not as toasty as my thick-ish fleecy coat with tigers' faces all over it!
2 people like this
@danishcanadian (28955)
• Canada
28 Jan 13
I am not the most fashionable person in the world, but I know better than to wear pyjamas and lingerie out of the house. LOL If I am wearing a baithing suit, it is going to be because I am on the beach, or by the pool, not because it's just a summer top. Sadly those damn pyjama bottoms have become somewhat of a style.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Feb 13
I can see running into the store in a bathing suit with a cover up over it if I am enroute to a lake, or pool and need something like sunscreen. But those coverups can be really cute. You are right, the fleecy pj bottoms are a style. They even mention them as a "don't" in our company dress code.
1 person likes this
@suzzy3 (8341)
•
13 Jan 13
We did have a fashion for mums to take the kids to school in their pyjamas but the school complained ,people were going to the supermarket in their dressing gowns and pyjamas the supermarket stopped them from entering the shop.Go home and get dressed.Personally I don't like seeing people in their night ware.How lazy is that .How can anyone get out of bed and go straight to shops it beggers belief have they no pride in their appearance.I can not understand it.Are they to poor to buy proper clothes.There are plenty of charity shops around.I go the charity shops to buy quiet a few clothes and cheap shops.Maybe I am just hung up on convention and doing the right thing.I often wonder what house clothes mean as well.In England I wear my pyjamas untill the housework is done then I put my jeans and top on ect.Going out in my bedclothes is just unthinkable.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Jan 13
In earlier days women wore a "duster" over their clothing to clean house. It looked a lot like a housecoat. We all went out looking decent. I know a lot of people claim it is basically for comfort. I see that some people have explained that they have office or work clothes that they wear and then change into something not so nice for around the house.
@marguicha (223720)
• Chile
13 Jan 13
I just read (a couple of days ago) a post about a shocked mylotter that did not understand how was it that some people went out with their PJs. I remember my own shock, when I was little and I went to live in the US when I saw ladies at the supermarket with curlers in ther hair. My mom, from another country, had another morning routine and I loved to watch. She powdered her face, painted her lips, combed her hair to perfection and then went out. I don`t think she would go to her front yard before. It is a pity that some women (not all, I`m sure) forget that she should look clean and proper. There are comfortable clothesthat are not "night clothes". THey are as beautiful as a party dress in their own way. I nice jean with a matching top is all you need.
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
My mother would not go anywhere without clean clothes, her hair fixed and make up on, just as your mother did. It is alright up to a point but it kept her from going places spontaneously. My dad would have liked that on occasion. I have seen beautiful gowns and peignoirs, and it has been a few years since I saw girls wearing gowns to the mall instead of sun dresses.
@alberello (4752)
• Italy
13 Jan 13
Well, I am not a national of the United States (in fact I'm Italian), I was never interested inquiries regarding clothing.
Among other things I did not know that in the U.S. there is absolute freedom on clothing.
I do not want absolutely brand clothes. My moral is: A dress that's okay? Ok I wear it, no matter how much I paid, especially not to be famous brand. I do not spend money on designer clothing.
However, sometimes I leave the house dress, but with her ??pajamas underneath.
No one notices, but this is good for me Asthe, especially in winter keeps me warmer, and then, when I get home and I take off, I've read my pajamas without having to wear!
I'll be weird? But to me, when it's okay!
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
Okay, I can understand leaving sleep clothes underneath for a quick trip and to stay warm. In fact that was kind of why I thought my heavy robe over my clothes would feel good. I do not buy designer clothes either. I just do not have the money.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
13 Jan 13
I think,in a general way,what people tend to wear is something that has to do with their cultural background.Granted that Today's trend is toward less formal clothing,but I don't think it is very becoming for some to wear pajama and the like to go shopping or show up in public.I dress in a rather conservative way,however what I wear when I go out differs from what I wear at home.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
13 Jan 13
If I know for a fact that I will not be going anywhere, I may wear some more casual clothing. Sometimes what I am wearing keeps me from making impulsive shopping trips as well. It is also according to what is acceptable in our culture. I am more casual than my mother was, that is certain.
1 person likes this
@changjiangzhibin89 (16784)
• China
17 Jan 13
It seems that what you are wearing always suits the occasion and you don't want to be conspicuous because of your bright clothes.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
14 Jan 13
I have only gone shopping in my pajamas once and that was after I had been taken to the Hospital and released but had to pick up meds before going home. We don't live near a pharmacy and since we like to save on gas it was our only option. I felt so weird but my husband keep telling me that it was just fine people do it all of the time.
2 people like this
@GardenGerty (160879)
• United States
14 Jan 13
I can really understand about that. However, I would have just insisted the hubby go in and get the meds and let me rest in the car. I am sure pharmacies see a lot of that though.
@Pegasus72 (1898)
•
14 Jan 13
They wanted me to walk around and get some of the meds out of my system and I knew once I was home I would just go to sleep. thankfully it was late at night and there weren't that many people out and about.
