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Wednesday, 14th May 2008

What kind of pyjamas did President Kennedy wear in bed?

Why Churchill did not wear silk pyjamas is a mystery to me. Twenty years ago, my friend Carla brought me back from China a present of a fine silk pair of pyjamas. I have worn them ever since ‘for best’, i.e. going to weekend house-parties, trips to Venice or on cruise liners etc. They are still absolutely perfect, as good as new, and evoke admiration from butlers, grooms of the chambers, chambermaids and others who glimpse them. I also have an amazingly thick pair, of a savage dark red, made of Cumberland wool, which were bought in the Lake District during a Wordsworth conference — the sort of garment worn by John and Roger, I imagine, in Swallows and Amazons, quite possibly by Nancy, too, though I suspect she preferred to sleep naked, for bravado. Today, I’m told, most girls under 25 also prefer to be bare in bed, though they put on sexy nightdresses for special occasions. The lads wear vests like Churchill, though not of silk, and boxer shorts. So pyjamas in the West have lasted only 100 years. What is needed is another Coco Chanel, who designed fancy pidgies for men and persuaded even ‘Bendor’ Westminster to wear them.

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Zack

May 16th, 2008 1:48pm

So....? What kind of pyjamas did President Kennedy wear (to bed or elsewhere)?


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