Who says pajamas are only for bed? In Cambodia, the comfortable garments have evolved into an all-purpose wear, perfect for any time of the day or night, writes Amirtha Martin
Available in a cornucopia of colours, designs and styles, pajamas are probably the most comfortable pieces of clothing a girl could own, but they have taken on a whole new direction in Cambodia.
Pajamas are worn by Khmer women at all times of the day - to markets, on the streets and even to some restaurants. Most foreigners assume Cambodian women don't know what pajamas are. We know that they were designed to be worn to sleep in and possibly laze about in on weekends, but under no circumstances would we wear them in public.
But perhaps we foreigners are a little too quick in our assumptions. Cambodians are very aware of what pajamas are. In fact, the direct translation is "sleep dress" or "sleeping". Some however, knowing it was night wear, simply refer to them as "ka play", meaning clothes.
Why do they use them as all-purpose wear? "It's comfortable," they stated, plainly and unanimously. The most popular locations for acquiring pajama attire are markets and street stall-type shops. The market sellers also wear them, saying they love the practicality of pajamas. When your job requires you to sit most of the day, they are comfortable. Polyester pants and zips are a no-go it seems.
"It's like a habit. I don't like zips on trousers," said Chanthi from Sakada market. "They are too hot and tight. It's hard to sit in for a long time." Souen Hay, a fellow market stall owner, agreed. "The elastic waist is much more comfortable, light and loose," she said. "At my (advanced) age, I need something so baggy to wear in this heat."
Another motive was cultural - the need to be modest whilst working in busy streets and markets. All the ladies admitted to owning several sets of pajamas and say there is a difference between daywear and nightwear.
When asked why they weren't wearing their night-time dresses and slips, they blushed."No, no, that is not for public. That's not appropriate. It's for inside," one woman explained. "Pajamas cover us, Khmer women want to cover."
"Foreign women wear sexy clothes. They show. Not like this, this covers everything." Most of the women in the markets and street stalls wearing pajamas were all probably above the age of 25, married with children. Not only is it unpractical to sit in shorts and singlets during the day whilst doing their work but it would probably draw unneeded trouble and attention. Some women also reported that by being fully covered, it protected them from the sun.
"If I wear my ordinary night clothes and singlets out, I would get black and sun burnt," a seller called Sophea explained.
The bright colours and patterns are also a big attraction."There are so many colours and look at these beautiful flowers," said Souen Hay. One young girl agreed. "Sometimes other ladies look at me and compliment me when I wear a nice one. They think its new."
Orange floral appeared to be the most popular, with cartoons in yellows and pinks a close second. Ranging between US$3-6 and available from most markets including Sakada, Psar Depot and Central, they are also affordable.
We may think pajamas originated in Europe, but Cambodians would beg to differ, saying Thailand, Vietnam and China began the trend. After all, they say - who has ever seen a foreigner in pajamas?
The Khmer women all had one thing in common; they simply were not troubled by the idea of committing what to us may seem a huge fashion fau paux. No, it made sense for them to wear comfortable clothes, no matter what purpose the clothes were originally intended to serve, and anyway, they ask, why would anyone else care?