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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

To think that women (or men) who drop their kids off at school in PJS, go shopping in Tesco in pj's and come down to the breakfast in a hotel in pj's are wrong in the head?

784 replies

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:22

I visited Amsterdam last year and was shocked to see an apparently middle class women coming down to breakfast in her pj's,dressing gown and slippers. Similarly going round Tescos where there are people, especially women in pj's and slippers. No doubt I'll be called an old right wing fascist or something.

OP posts:
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ChocolateGanache · 30/05/2025 06:43

The slovenly slatterns should give their heads a wobble, eleventy billion times!!!!
(clutches pearls and faints!) 🙀🙀🙀

Parker231 · 30/05/2025 06:17

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:28

How does a child feel being dropped off at school by a parent who can't even make an effort to look presentable. Personally, I don't go out unless I have make up on and am wearing jewellery and nice clothes. What's wrong with that?

I would always get properly dressed before going out but make up and jewellery aren’t a part of that. I don’t wear makeup or jewellery - am perfectly presentable without needing to.

PinkCrochet · 30/05/2025 06:16

I have never had a pj day. Never eaten breakfast in my pyjamas. I have to be be up and dressed. I don’t think I could leave the house in pyjamas at all, even to empty the bin. I would feel so self-conscious! We are all clearly very different.

Helpmeplease2025 · 30/05/2025 06:09

It’s grim. Especially as they never seem to be nice pyjamas either. Usually adult Disney horrors from Primark. I think DH would think I’d had a mental breakdown if I appeared wearing these.

Liesontoast · 30/05/2025 05:51

I think it’s weird that you care that much. How does it affect you in anyway? Avert your eyes if it’s too painful to see pyjamas in public.

WhateverWheneverWherever · 30/05/2025 03:49

I don't care what other people wear. I wouldn't wear PJs outside myself as it would make me feel weird, although I've only seen that happen in hotels.
But I don't understand the claims of it being dirty, do you all sleep in filthy beds or something? Putting the jeans that you've worn outside all day yesterday is probably far dirtier. Although now I'm going to incite the wash everything after one day crew.

HereWeGoOverAndAgain · 30/05/2025 03:02

Paramedic here. You’d die if you saw me on the school run half of the time. Even sometimes, shock horror at school pickup!

I’ll just have worked a 12.5-16hr shift or thereabouts, come home, had a shower and jumped into PJs before getting into bed, sometimes only for an hour, setting an alarm to wake in time to get my kids fed, dressed and out the door into the car to school, and back to walk straight back in the door and into bed, to get some much needed sleep, before starting the whole thing again in 6hrs time!

Or I’ll have been in bed for 4hrs, only to have to set an alarm to collect them from school, again in PJs so I can come back and get another hour before I need to get up to get their dinner ready before I head out for another long arse shift overnight trying my damn best to look after and save the lives of people in my community.

So sue me for being seen in PJs in my car on the school run! I’m far from fucking lazy or dirty or slovenly. I’m a fucking hard working widowed mother, doing my best to raise my children, give them the life they deserve and pay my mortgage.

NattyTurtle59 · 30/05/2025 02:45

It's not something I would ever do, but I voted YABU as they are not "wrong in the head" - any more than those who think they simply couldn't leave the house without their make-up. It's just different choices, and as long as they aren't harming anyone then they can do whatever they like.

Trendyname · 30/05/2025 02:42

Pistachiocake · 29/05/2025 23:38

To be fair, some of the clothes advertised as day clothes look like PJs, and some people with say that at least PJs cover more up...and when you look at photos of people on their seaside holidays, even in the 70s, they're all so smart, most of the men in suits and ties, women in smart dresses and heels (yes, some wore what we think of as more casual 70s things, but a LOT were very formal)...well they'd probably be shocked to see how most of us dress now.
I believe a headteacher once asked parents not to drop off in PJs, not sure what happened. I wouldn't do it, but then I've always had to go to work straight after so I couldn't-some of the parents who do say what's the point getting dressed as they want to get home and back to bed asap. Maybe some of the people on holiday are intending to have another snooze, but have to come down for breakfast because there's no room service/a time limit? No, I wouldn't do it (clothes for bed shouldn't go outside in my opinion), but that's only my view.

I agree with this.

Codlingmoths · 30/05/2025 02:36

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 20:30

My question is: why do you not have even basic pride in yourself or care about your child? If you have no care for yourself, does this mean your child is neglected, unwashed and not suitably dressed?

I think the answer depends entirely on if ‘no care for yourself’ means doing the school run in pjs or if it also means doing the school run in clothes with no makeup or jewellery. You have made quite a few comments so far indicating you think it’s both. In which case fuck off with thinking you can impose your rigid standards of femininity on all women, and I’ll collect my children wearing whatever j want.

Renabrook · 30/05/2025 02:29

Todayismyfavouriteday · 30/05/2025 02:18

I can't even sit home in my PJs. I shower and change into clean, comfy leggins and a t-shirt if I'm not going out. I feel disgusted by people in PJs and slippers at the supermarket, and always assume their mental health is not the best. It takes two seconds to pull on a pair of leggings and a sweater. Basic social skills.

How do you know people dont sleep in a tshirt and leggins & put clean PJs to go out in? sounds silly but that is why I dont judge on appearance alone you never know and judging says more about the Judge than anyone else

If people have so little in their lives they want to judge others that is on them

Todayismyfavouriteday · 30/05/2025 02:18

I can't even sit home in my PJs. I shower and change into clean, comfy leggins and a t-shirt if I'm not going out. I feel disgusted by people in PJs and slippers at the supermarket, and always assume their mental health is not the best. It takes two seconds to pull on a pair of leggings and a sweater. Basic social skills.

LadyRoughDiamond · 30/05/2025 01:36

I truly believe that this is harmful to society. The normalisation of a slovenly appearance is damaging to the aspirations, mental health and work ethic of society in general.

We already have a huge number of people who are not engaging in work or training in this country. Normalising a lifestyle where people don’t get dressed reinforces a lack of engagement. It becomes a symbol of this lifestyle.

EconomyClassRockstar · 30/05/2025 01:05

Turmerictolly · 29/05/2025 23:11

I’ve never seen anyone in PJ’s at a hotel, including dozens of stays in a Premier Inn all across the Uk. I observe it to be a ‘thing’ in certain areas or amongst a certain class of people.

OMG, I full on laughed out loud at this. It's the Premier Inn bit 😂😂

Smallsalt · 30/05/2025 00:59

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:28

How does a child feel being dropped off at school by a parent who can't even make an effort to look presentable. Personally, I don't go out unless I have make up on and am wearing jewellery and nice clothes. What's wrong with that?

Maybe people judge you for being pathetic enough to need make up and jewelry for the shops, in the same way that you judge people for their PJs.
How about you do you.....

AnneMarieW · 30/05/2025 00:56

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:28

How does a child feel being dropped off at school by a parent who can't even make an effort to look presentable. Personally, I don't go out unless I have make up on and am wearing jewellery and nice clothes. What's wrong with that?

You had me thinking YANBU until you said that. It’s implying that “being presentable” means wearing makeup and jewellery and “nice” clothes (whatever those are). It also makes you sound judgmental only of other women - I’m guessing you aren’t judging the Dads who aren’t wearing makeup and jewellery at drop off.

Imo it’s completely appropriate for parents to encourage the way they would like their kids to dress by their own actions - so clean face and hands/nails, hair brushed, clean, neat clothes and suitable footwear for the parents dropping off at the school as well as the kids going in. Pyjamas are nightwear and no more appropriate for the school drop off (or even the supermarket ideally) than a ballgown or morning suit. Perhaps better than wearing nothing at all but still quite socially incongruous 🤣

Makeup, jewellery and “nice” (fashionable?) clothes aren’t what matters and its a sad example to set kids to suggest they are imo.

Daybrake · 30/05/2025 00:06

I definitely don’t need to wear makeup to go to the supermarket etc. I’ll make sure my skin and lips are moisturised as they get so, dry and will of course have washed my brushed my teeth etc but that’s about it. But I do all these things even if I don’t leave the house.

But why would you even want to wear your slippers to Tesco? That’s riddiculous wearing them as outside shoes . My slippers don’t leave my house so they’re nice and clean. And most slippers aren’t that comfortable on super hard surfaces like concrete , nor are they supportive.

And as for pyjamas - do they wear the same pyjamas they’ve worn outside to bed? Kind of defeats the purpose of pjs! Glad to say I’ve only ever seen this once or twice in my life but I do feel sympathy for those who are severely depressed and can’t muster up the energy to get ready before dropping their kids off . The others are just being ridiculous.

BeanQuisine · 30/05/2025 00:05

Occasionally see kids in their PJs and dressing gowns in our local supermarket (usually with fully dressed parent), and it seems inoffensive enough. This is a smallish town and people are generally tolerant of local eccentricity.

I don't even own any PJs as such, haven't worn them for years. I usually sleep in an oversized T-shirt and shorts.

I wouldn't go out without dressing presentably, but rarely with jewellery and never wear make-up.

Luddite26 · 29/05/2025 23:58

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:30

How would those kids feel if their teachers turned up dishevelled in their pj's.

Don't suppose they would GAF.

Renabrook · 29/05/2025 23:55

YourAmplePlumPoster · 29/05/2025 19:28

How does a child feel being dropped off at school by a parent who can't even make an effort to look presentable. Personally, I don't go out unless I have make up on and am wearing jewellery and nice clothes. What's wrong with that?

Not that I could be bothered but I judge people with make up on, it looks terrible and like you are trying to impress someone and just because feminists give permission doesnt mean I dont think women who think they are doing it for themselves are actually doing for men yet complain how evil men are how women should be able to do what they want and it is not for them it is to make themselves feel better

Now I have never worn PJ's out of the house but if I did what would happen would the sky fall in? if any us of wear them to school or shops people may think 'oh look at them they look terrible' and what? I would rather be a PJ wearer than someone who judges based on looks

Greywarden · 29/05/2025 23:46

I agree that it isn't great to do things that embarrass your kids needlessly so school drop-offs in PJs would be a no from me (I'm sure I'll end up embarrassing my DD in plenty of other ways by mistake so best not to add to the pile of grievances unnecessarily).

But in general... just can't get worked up about the issue. Sure, we can go on about 'standards' and 'pride in appearance' but it's all just about fashion and social convention, which has changed constantly throughout human history and will continue to change. In the days when only a minority of people could afford to walk around looking physically clean and wearing fancy jewellery etc, those people wanted to preserve their sense of distinction and (imagined) superiority. Gradually more people could access that lifestyle, prompting of course richer folks to develop ever more exclusive ways of separating themselves from others and sometimes even leading to the snake eating itself where looking casual or scruffy could be a mark of 'poshness' (although I think most wealthy people still don't buy into that). The social utility of status-signalling through clothing has declined, I'd argue. People around the world and through time have worn every shape and colour of garment imaginable. So really, ultimately, does it matter if more people now are putting causal comfort first? We could even argue that it's just a natural expression of lifestyle changes, with barriers between work and home, formal and informal, getting eroded more and more (not saying this is a good thing or a bad thing, just the thing that is happening).

Charmofgoldfinch · 29/05/2025 23:42

I’ve always wondered if people who do this then go back to bed in the same PJs later that night - and if so are they then getting the dirt of the day/ outside in their bed?!

PleaseSortItOutThanks · 29/05/2025 23:39

WhereHasMyPlanetGone · 29/05/2025 23:12

I have never worn pyjamas on the school run, or to a supermarket, or indeed anywhere other than bed. I am pretty lazy in general though. If I have an opportunity for a nap I’ll take it. Is it still a bad human trait if it doesn’t involve going to Tesco in my onesie?

Well it's not a great one is it?

No-one ever says 'I hope my child will grow up to be lazy'.

Or 'I really want to marry a lazy man and settle down'.

Pistachiocake · 29/05/2025 23:38

To be fair, some of the clothes advertised as day clothes look like PJs, and some people with say that at least PJs cover more up...and when you look at photos of people on their seaside holidays, even in the 70s, they're all so smart, most of the men in suits and ties, women in smart dresses and heels (yes, some wore what we think of as more casual 70s things, but a LOT were very formal)...well they'd probably be shocked to see how most of us dress now.
I believe a headteacher once asked parents not to drop off in PJs, not sure what happened. I wouldn't do it, but then I've always had to go to work straight after so I couldn't-some of the parents who do say what's the point getting dressed as they want to get home and back to bed asap. Maybe some of the people on holiday are intending to have another snooze, but have to come down for breakfast because there's no room service/a time limit? No, I wouldn't do it (clothes for bed shouldn't go outside in my opinion), but that's only my view.

Tiredofwhataboutery · 29/05/2025 23:37

I do this. Plain black cotton bottoms and plain dark long sleeve t shirts. Saves getting changed before walking the 🦮 I saw a woman wearing a dressing gown and slippers out in town in the middle of the afternoon today. Hair and make up done. I don’t really care but I thought it was such an interesting choice to put on lipstick but not outdoor shoes.