Photographer Justin Guariglia has just published a book called Planet Shanghai, which captures the day-to-day life of the people of Shanghai, one of the largest cities in China.
An intriguing set of Justin's photos reveal a strange trend over there: wearing pajamas as outdoor wear. Here's more info from James Danziger's blog:
The prevalence of pyjamas, Guariglia explained to me, was due to both the extreme summer heat and the lack of plumbing. Most Shanghaians share outdoor communal toilets and thus the boundaries of what was considered one’s home have expanded past people’s houses to the public bathrooms. Once that relaxation of the dress code became acceptable (starting around the 1980s) the perimeter for p.j.-wear just kept expanding until many people were wearing them day in day out.
Having said that I would never go out further than my mailbox wearing them! I remember when I was little kid I would spot my Grandfather walking down the street in Orange County Ca. wearing boxers and a hanes shirt.. LOL. I told my mom to tell him those weren't shorts!
When US-American series and "casual type"-movies where shown first on TV in the 80s(showing the "normal" "average" life in the US), I was astounded to see that people seemingly wear their "outdoor"-clothes indoors and also their shoes! Even when getting comfortable on a sofa!
I guess people in Europe think, it is more tidy, if the "dirt" from the street stays outside - well, and most of the times we tend to dress more formally being on the street, so it is just uncomfortable to wear those clothes at home.
About wearing a pajama on the street: I remember that in the early 90s there was a trend among youngsters wearing old (satin)pajama-trousers outside...in Europe...
So comfort really is key!
I'm still trying to get over the communal bathroom thing. I don't think I could live in Shanghai.