World War I introduced the world to so many terrifying new ways war can bring havoc and destruction, and chief among those was, of course, the new terror of airplane bombings.
It was the first time that Britain came under attack from the air. You didn’t even have to be a soldier. For Londoners, the threat began in January 1915, when the Germans sent zeppelins loaded with bombs. Eventually, they sent planes, too.
The air raids, often at night, accomplished little, but their true purpose was to terrorize civilians, cause destruction and sink British morale.
Small details give a human touch to our understanding of what happened during those night air bombings.
For example, the typist whose life was saved because she dashed back to her desk for her handbag during a raid, and so missed the worst of the bomb blast. A child, identified only by the unusual shirt button stitched on his cuff just the night before the bombing.
Aldwych tube station being used as a bomb shelter in 1940
The air raids brought the war to the home front. The war entered the bedroom, the most private space of all. And thus, it had quite an effect on fashion.
Think about it this way: Bedclothes are among the most casual clothes. But with the advent of nighttime raids, people would suddenly be asked to evacuate their homes and would be on the streets at a moment’s notice. Forget Instagram, this was the original “I woke up like this”!
A crumpled nightdress would no longer do. It was a matter of practicality! But also a matter of looking good!
The Rise of Pyjamas: A Statement of Courage
As the bombings continued, distinct trends took hold. Pajamas, or “pyjamas,” as the English called them—became especially popular. Women in trousered attire of any kind was a new phenomenon in 1915 and many magazines saw pyjamas simply as ‘the season’s novelty ‘.
But they ended up being much more than a season’s novelty—“pyjama” sets are hanging on the racks of your local shops even today!
But not just that, pyjamas were considered fashionable and women would wear them every night. During the air raid they would run out of their homes – dressed in these silky, beautiful yet practical pyjamas, ready for action while looking entirely presentable!
An air raid sleeping suit from 1918/ Lucy Adlington
Pyjamas were both warmer and more practical than thin nightdresses during air raids, attractiveness was important too.
Now, you must be thinking how unnecessary it is to think about how you look when there are bombs falling from the sky, right?
Well, remember how the only reason Germans were bombing the common people in the cities of England was because they wanted to break their morale and spirit? Fashion was the way women were defying war and keeping the morale up.
The message was this: “so you want us to get scared by these bombs? We are not scared! We’d rather think about what to wear when we go out in the night”. That’s some great way of showing courage, isn’t it?
A diary entry from 1916 shows life went on despite the raids: “Quiet day. Zepp raid. I saw it. Had my hair shampooed”.
Among the more courageous ones was a fashion editor, quoted by the historian Lucy Adlington: “I do want a little zep scare, so that I can wear them,” the editor confessed about her black silk pyjamas. “Of course I don’t want anyone to be killed.”
The Brave New Woman
When the last bombs fell on London in May 1918, fashion had settled into a calm and simple style – women for the first time ever were wearing trousers, pyjamas, shirts and clothes that were simple, but practical.
Women in trousers were a shocking sight to many, but definitely fit for purpose.
During and after WWI, women took on jobs formerly filled by men. Women and girls who previously worked as domestic servants took jobs in factories, performed administrative work, worked as drivers, nurses, and on farms. They volunteered for organizations like the Red Cross and joined the military. A new image of freedom and self-respect led women away from their traditional roles. They drove cars and demanded the right to vote.
As women dressed for these new roles, gender-dictated dress codes relaxed. And now women were dressing the way they wanted to.
What started with a small step of dawning fashionable Pyjamas during air raids led to a long journey of fight for the freedom and rights of women in the Western world.
Raza has been writing since 2008, be it fiction, poetry, or articles on science, politics, and history. He believes that words can change the world, and he uses them to inspire and empower people through his writing. When he is not working, he is watching nature documentaries or playing with his cats.
Arya C is a 4th grader who talks about her transition from the US to India and how BYJU`S has helped her at that. She also loves how BYJU`S has made learning a lot more fun.
Meet Sourabh who has a ton to say about his BYJU`S learning experience. His love for quizzes, games and other fun activities are paying off!
V Shriya is a class eight student who has been using BYJU’S for a year now. She shares her experiences with using the app and how it has helped her in improving her academic performance.
Aanvi from class 9 has been with BYJU`S for just 6 months and hear what she has to say about her learning experience with the app.
Comments
Advait Kumbhar
August 17, 2021
This was a good
ADC
August 13, 2021
Fantastic!!
Samiksha Shakya
August 13, 2021
Very nice ? knowledge
Madhusri
August 11, 2021
Nice ?
Madhusri
August 11, 2021
amazing ?
urva
August 8, 2021
it was just “amazing”
Manjila khatun
July 31, 2021
Wow
Ritika
July 30, 2021
Nice
Sneha. D
July 30, 2021
The power should be equally distributed among everyone (all are equal before law). For asking Human Rights , maybe this trend helped women in one step and they got the courage by these simple strange activities…
I want to explore my learning ?
Sanjay
July 30, 2021
Good
Asritha
July 30, 2021
Interesting it helps to my general knowledge
Lakshmi
July 30, 2021
Thanku so much byju’s
Rugveda Jaybhaye
July 29, 2021
It is really very amazing story ?
I didn’t heard about this first?
Farheen unnisa begum
July 28, 2021
1 answer
World War 1 introduced the world to so many terrifying new ways war can bring havoc and destruction , and chief among those was, of course, the new terror of airplane bombing
K.rajitha
July 26, 2021
Nice
Harsh
July 26, 2021
Thanks for this information
amazing to read journey of pajamas
July 26, 2021
thoroughly enjoyed the journey of pajamas, its equally inspiring too.
look forward to many more such articles.
Riya Bhatt
July 26, 2021
Family
K. Bharath Krishna
July 25, 2021
It’s very interesting thank you byjus
Dhruvika D Singh
July 25, 2021
link between pajamas and world war 1! superb
Aryan
July 25, 2021
Super sir I want more to learn like this
Tanisha Bhardwaj
July 25, 2021
I love to read the topic. Interesting ??
Arnav Bakshi
July 25, 2021
Fascinating learning article
Mohak Ambade
July 25, 2021
The story is very interesting to read it tells us so many thing
Diksha
July 25, 2021
V good knowledge store
Dipayan paul
July 25, 2021
Nice blog
Diyasmi Pal
July 25, 2021
Wow!… Didn’t even know pajamas are this serious… Thank you for informing
Sharshti Chauhan
July 25, 2021
Byjus helping math science and ready l am so so happening
sadhana
July 25, 2021
It makes history as a favorite subject and interesting.
Athravasinha
July 25, 2021
Very interesting and its help me in my general knowledge
Maviya
July 24, 2021
I am amazed by this shocking connection between pyjamas and world war 1.
I am surprised by how pyjamas made women wear western clothes and I am also shocked how women were wearing pyjamas in World War 1 to just look good at night and it also makes a new fashion world. That’s amazing.
Sidhi Dalal
July 24, 2021
I really like to know about the world war 1 and the pyjamas.
Vandana
July 24, 2021
Thanks for this knowledge
Abhishek Kumar
July 24, 2021
hi
Souradeep Maji
July 24, 2021
Wow! What a nice story.
Now I am curious to know that , how other dresses were became popular.
Aaditya Singh
July 24, 2021
So good and know so much things from this so good and funny also
Rohit Sharma
July 24, 2021
It was the first time that Britain came under attack from the air. You didn’t even have to be a soldier. For Londoners, the threat began in January 1915, when the Germans sent zeppelins loaded with bombs. Eventually, they sent planes, too.
Nuha khan
July 24, 2021
Great article ???? thank you for sharing byjus
Nivedita Aswal
July 24, 2021
OMG! I never knew that. suberb!
Krishna ghomy
July 24, 2021
Nice it’s very interesting
Prachi Salvi
July 24, 2021
Thanks byju’s?
A.YUGAN SANKAR
July 24, 2021
NICE INFORMATION. THANK YOU RAZA MEHDI.
Shagun Mishra
July 24, 2021
That’s an interesting fact !
Saranya
July 24, 2021
Nice Statement
Sagar
July 24, 2021
Best knowledge word war
Prisha
July 24, 2021
Hello
Suhana Rahaman
July 24, 2021
What a great reality
Athashree
July 24, 2021
Ok , I but I didn’t know this is how pyjamas came into existence; thanks for sharing.
Kumari Ananya
July 24, 2021
Wow
Lekhana Laxminarayani
July 24, 2021
Superb
Arsh raj
July 24, 2021
This is a very good article
Arre wah kya baat hai
July 21, 2021
Kya baat batai hai too shocking as the name suggests