What once was an outfit worn on Pajama day has long become an everyday look, and the ever-so-fashionable “loaf” wear is visible in every corner of WJ. Some may see this style as a sign of disrespect to school and education as a whole and generally dislike the PJ look, but I’m not entirely sure I agree with this sentiment. 

Though simply rolling out of bed and coming to school in pajamas is probably disrespectful, I don’t think that intentionally wearing sweats and slippers to school is a sign of an unwillingness to learn. For students, it’s not always easy to wake up early in the morning and put together an entire outfit and still be ready for school. Some can barely make it out of bed early enough to get to school on time.

Mental health struggles and an overwhelming amount of work and extracurriculars usually lead to students getting to bed at 12 am or later, and with an early wakeup call, it’s no wonder that students opt out of putting together an outfit and instead grab sweatpants, sweatshirts, pajamas and slippers. 

This also notes the issue of comfort at school. It’s no secret that teenagers are self-conscious and that school isn’t the most pleasant environment, and it’s much easier to feel comfortable in school when you’re wearing an outfit that you can sleep in.

Self-expression and identity are also factors that affect students in their decision-making for outfits. It’s hard to feel comfortable in yourself if you don’t feel comfortable physically, which results in these kinds of outfits. 

There isn’t just one group that engages in this trend, because as a high school student, there are days when the only thing you have energy for is to put on a pair of sweatpants, a hoodie and go to school, and we shouldn’t be judged for it.

I think it’s time that we realize that what people wear doesn’t reflect how they view school and their attitude towards learning and just let people wear what they want, “loaf” or otherwise.