Beach pajamas first came into the picture during the mid 1920s and remained in fashion until the 1940s. In the 1920s athletic activities became a fashionable past time among the well to do set. With women now having fewer constraints due to the war, it became acceptable for women to take up typically male dominated activities such as yachting. As a result there occurred a need for elegant and practical attire for women who wanted to partake in these activities. Coco Chanel who took up wearing androgynous fashions as early as 1918 went on to spearhead this trend for fashionable wealthy women to wear baggy pajama style trousers with loose fitting tops. The name pajamas originated from the Hindi word paejama for leg covering and although pajamas had in fact been around since the Victorian era, at this stage it was still not acceptable for women to be seen wearing trousers out in public.
Beach Pajamas as they became known to French Riviera set, were quite controversial and considered to be risqué at first, worn only by the most daring. However after the initial shock they became the most fashionable attire for promenading along the boardwalk and yachting. Boardwalks became runways where the most vibrant and striking beach pajamas could be shown off, worn most often with wide brim hats. Despite the stir they caused when they first became popular, by the end of the 1940s more revealing swimwear became socially acceptable and women were encouraged to show off their figure.
As I have said many times, finding true vintage beach pajamas can be a bit of a headache, and heart ache too – if you are lucky to find a pair in your size it’s likely that the price tag is the same as a few weeks rent. Some vintage girls have cleverly been able to create their own, but if you’re no good with the needle just as I myself am not, there are some fantastic vintage reproduction beach pajamas out there.
Miss Candyfloss who create some of my favorite jumpsuits as you will know from previous blog posts, were very kind to send me the Zsa Zsa Jumpsuit from their latest collection to review and I am delighted with how close the design is to original vintage beach pajamas.
Miss Candyfloss are a Swedish company and are best known for their styles inspired by the 1940s & 50s created with a vintage aesthetic but designed as every day wear for the modern vintage loving woman. Something that is important to note about Miss Candyfloss is that all of their clothing is made in Europe under fair trade conditions. This is something that is important to Miss Candyfloss and can be seen in the quality of their clothing, which is one of the reasons I became so fond of this company when I purchased my first Miss Candyfloss jumpsuits earlier this year.
I am wearing the Zsa Zsa Lee Halterneck Palazzo Jumpsuit in these photos and with a striking piece such as this, you can imagine that I was not short of compliments when I was at the beach! Although the boardwalk is no longer a runway the way it was in the 20s & 30s, this jumpsuit caused quite a stir. I felt as if I was floating wearing this jumpsuit as the soft fabric flows freely and there was not a single bit of fear when I got caught in a cheeky gust of wind.
Like all of my other Miss Candyfloss jumpsuits, I find the Zsa Zsa jumpsuit true to size and incredibly comfortable in fit – flattering on but with plenty of room for movement. I am 5’5” and in these photos I am wearing heels that are 2.5” high for an added boost to keep the hem from dragging. If you are my height or shorter, have a pair of heels or platforms on hand! I am wearing the jumpsuit in a size S and my measurements are 32-27-36. If like me, you too are on a perpetual quest for the perfect beach pajamas, the Zsa Zsa jumpsuit comes in two colour ways – navy and mint.
Wearing:
Zsa Zsa Halterneck Palazzo Jumpsuit – courtesy of Miss Candyfloss
Novo – heels
David Jones – hat
Love love love this look on you. Such a lovely look and location.
This is such an elegant and beautiful look, you are a total beach babe in this! No wonder you picked up lots of compliments 😀 I know I’m too short for beach pyjamas, even with platforms my legs wouldn’t have the length to pull off the width. It’s a shame, but I guess we all have things we do and don’t look great in and c’est la vie. At least I can look at beauties like you in them 🙂
Oh my wow just wow, I love Miss Candyfloss jumpsuits so much…you look just amazing! xo
Ugh super super amazing!! I love the beach pyjamas and I think they’re perfect for European summer too (which isn’t very summery!)
These are so amazing and you look so fab in them!! Idda van Munster recently posted a photo of herself in the mint colour which I loved too and honestly I would struggle to choose which ones to go for as they’re both so gorgeous. I’ve never come across Miss Candyfloss, so I will go and have a good look through their site now. xx
How cute!! When I hear “beach pajamas,” I immediately picture you in a two-piece flannel button down set, covered in kitties or duckies. HA! Well, this is better! How adorable and fun is this jumpsuit? It looks like it was made for you.
Such a striking outfit, no wonder you had so many compliments!
I bet you nearly caused a riot! It’s like that jumpsuit was just made for you. Totally, utterly fabulous. I am dying to get a set myself, but am waiting to see what House of Foxy bring out later this year, I know they have a design in the pipeline! You look wonderful x
The chevron accents are what draws me this jumpsuit. I love an unusual/interesting detail. You look utterly ravishing in this jumpsuit and I’m not surprised that you were the main attraction at the boardwalk. No one dresses to impress like this anymore so I bet everyone was in awe of your style and sophistication!
You look like a Hollywood Starlet! I haven’t looked at this company yet, but that is great to hear that they are fair trade- as that is so important to me too. I’ll definitely be checking them out!
Incredible!!! So chic, so alluring, and so very stunning!!!
xoxo ♥ Jessica
These are just beyond fabulous on you! I’m incredibly impressed with how well these fit you – jumpsuits are always a bit of a gamble, but this fits like it was made with you in mind. (Was it? I gave their website a quick glance, but I didn’t notice if they did custom orders/tailoring.) I love the look of 1930s beach pajamas, and the bold color scheme and geometric design really pops against the sea and sand. I’d love to be the woman who’s handing enough to make her own pair, but this might be more my speed!
I can’t even tell you how great these look on you and how well you pull it off! It’s the sort of thing I wouldn’t even think to wear, but you rock it and make it look amazing! I feel like aside from the beach it’s the perfect outfit for when you’re having a few friends over on a summer night to just hang out and enjoy the warm weather. Not that we’re having any of that at the moment in Sydney, but we can dream.
Jessica – littlehenrylee.net
Omg! This outfit looks so amazing! I need beach pajamas now. <3
Many hugs
Sandra <3
Oh, goodness! If there’s anything that’s more comfortable than beach pjs I’d like to know what it is… These look absolutely amazing on you Harlow dear, and I really can’t imagine a more elegant or comfortable holiday ensemble. You look so like Miss Fisher in this outfit, I just know she’d wear something like this! ❤
xox,
bonita of Lavender & Twill