When men's sleepwear ruled the world

As a committed lounger-about-in-nice-pajamas, I have long suspected that the golden age of men's sleepwear was in the past. Here I present conclusive evidence for my hypothesis.

Loungearounds! & other sleep/loungewear

I write books. My latest is a YA science fiction novel called Homeland (it's the sequel to Little Brother). More books: Rapture of the Nerds (a novel, with Charlie Stross); With a Little Help (short stories); and The Great Big Beautiful Tomorrow (novella and nonfic). I speak all over the place and I tweet and tumble, too.

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Antinous / Moderator

All you need is ten dollars and a men’s wear store that’s up on its lines.

Of coke. Possibly laced with PCP.
jamois

I’m totally with you on loungewear, but I remember Dacron. The thought of relaxing around the house while sweating and itching just makes me squirm. The design is spectacular, however. I’d kill for it in cotton!
- http://twitter.com/Ohyran Jens Reuterberg
  
  Yeah… anything polyester. Why do people still buy that? Cold when its cold, too warm when its warm and always clingy and nasty.
  Although if its good enough for goddamn Zeus its good enough for the likes of us!
  - taghag
    
    welcome to my one-woman campaign to defend polyester! you’re right that some weaves and knits of polyester are uncomfortable, but camping wear ‘fleece’ is 100% polyester and keeps you nice and warm. this is just one example of this versatile polymer hiding in comfortable fabrics. why do i care? polyester is super-recyclable and arguably more sustainable than natural fibers because of this. cleverly designed clothes using polyester for thread and trim can be recycled without first dismantling.
    - http://twitter.com/Ohyran Jens Reuterberg
      
      Really? Honestly. Not a sarcastic “really”. I thought Polyester was really shit for the environment – perhaps I should look into it.
      BUT if its so versatile why can’t they make a polyester-blend shirt that doesn’t make you sweat as if your trying to put out a fire in your armpits?
- Andrew Singleton
  
  Agreed.
- Boundegar
  
  Yea they had me until 65-35. Those jams would feel like a hefty bag.
John G Bell

I’m amused by the comment on this which says, “Oh, c’mon! Did anyone really think that a hot blooded bachelor would believe that these Zeus “Loungearounds” would be even remotely attractive to the opposite sex?” at http://retro-ads.net/v/1960s/Fashion/Men/1968_Pleetway.jpg.html

Here are some photographs of this pajama in a bright golden yellow, probably the Athenean Copper mentioned in the ad: http://trim.ocnk.net/product/401

But, look! The ad copy says there’s a matching toga!
- chgoliz
  
  Who said anything about the opposite sex?
  - malindrome
    
    I believe that is what is known as “Greek-style”.
    - voiceinthedistance
      
      As the saying goes, “When in Athens . . . “
http://twitter.com/ShoeBlogger Manolo Shoeblogger

Zeus? That sounds too ambitious for the sleepwear. The Manolo would prefer to don the Bacchus line of pyjamas.
http://2012diaries.blogspot.com/ tristan eldritch

“One of the old Greek Gods might have parted with his last drachma for drama like this.”

What, these guys turned themselves into effing bulls to steal people’s daughters, but pajamas they’d pay for?
http://lemoutan.blogspot.com/ Lemoutan

Zooce soots?
chgoliz

These pajamas are made by a division of Puritan Fashions Corp. The mind boggles.
- Vengefultacos
  
  Yeah… nothing says “fashion sense” like a Puritan.
  
  Does the ensemble come include a hat with a buckle on it?
fuzzyfuzzyfungus

If you’ve ever had the urge to turn into a swan and get your rape on, we have a product for you…
malindrome

Me hercule!
Editz

What in Jupiter’s Balls?
timquinn

Bloggingwear!
theepdinker

I know what is going on my Xmas list!
robdobbs

I would wear these to get coffee someplace in NYC. And with my Anthora cup in hand I’d be ready for my spot in Vice Magazine’s “Do” column.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anthora
ujin

Shut up and take my money$
http://profiles.google.com/stephen.schenck Stephen Schenck

That ad should feature an Our-Man-Flint-era James Coburn.
- http://www.markcrummett.com crummett
  
  Oh, man! I was going to say that I could totally see Derrick Flint in that!
Mitchell Glaser

I think it’s the belt that really makes it. I would shoot lightning bolts out of my ass for a set of these.
penguinchris

I’m not crazy about the neck, and being a dedicated thrifter I’m quite familiar with how awful Dacron is, but this design in a nice lightweight cotton with a re-worked neck I would be quite tempted by.
Grey Devil

It looks fun and really stylish, but my problem with this particular bit of sleepware is that it borders on being a bit too costume-y
- Antinous / Moderator
  
  And yet, so much women’s sleepwear looks like costumes from Rocky Horror.
David Hall

I think that’s Captain Murphy!
- Felton / Moderator
  
  There go my nipples again!
Vengefultacos

Hmm… has a Star Trek “Plato’s Stepchildren” vibe to it… young William Shatner could have rocked this with a laurel wreath in his hair.
http://boingboing.net/ Rob Beschizza

Ebay reports “0 results found for zeus loungaround ” alas
http://twitter.com/dexitroboper dexitroboper

At least you could look the part for the golden shower.
Frank Diekman

Looks like Captain Kirk’s casual wear.

Ah Ahh ah…bitter dregs.
Frank Diekman

New band name: Zeus Loungearounds.
egriff5514

I saw a guy on the London tube at Oxford Circus today in a pajama Chicken suit…
Rich Keller

I’m trying to remember which nymph Zeus put the moves on when he took the form of a Johnny West action figure.
gerry canter

To return to that golden age how about this Retro allinone look:
http://www.funzee.com/funzee-range/retro-funzee