In the glamorous heyday of the 1920s, the French Riviera emerged as a playground for the rich, famous, and fashionable. Against the backdrop of azure waters and sun-kissed beaches, a new trend in leisurewear began to take shape, transforming the concept of beach attire and setting the stage for modern resort fashion.
During this golden era of the "Roaring Twenties," the French Riviera became synonymous with luxury, leisure, and hedonistic indulgence. Affluent travelers from Europe and America flocked to the sun-drenched shores of the Mediterranean, seeking escape from the constraints of everyday life and embracing a carefree lifestyle of sunbathing, swimming, and socializing.
At the heart of this burgeoning resort culture was the emergence of a new style of beachwear: the glamorous beach pajama. Inspired by the exoticism of the East and the liberated spirit of the Jazz Age, beach pajamas represented a departure from traditional swimwear and a celebration of freedom, comfort, and modernity.
Beach pajamas were characterized by their loose, flowing silhouettes, reminiscent of the loungewear worn in exotic locales such as India and the Middle East. Made from lightweight fabrics such as silk, satin, and chiffon, beach pajamas draped elegantly over the body, creating an effortlessly chic and relaxed look.
Women embraced beach pajamas as a fashionable alternative to the restrictive bathing suits of the Victorian era, which typically consisted of corsets, bloomers, and voluminous skirts. With their wide-legged trousers, billowing tops, and plunging necklines, beach pajamas allowed women to move and breathe freely while exuding an air of sophistication and glamour.
On the beaches of the French Riviera, stylish socialites and Hollywood starlets paraded in an array of extravagant beach pajamas, accessorized with oversized sunglasses, statement hats, and beaded necklaces. They lounged on sun-drenched terraces, sipped cocktails at chic seaside cafes, and danced the night away at glamorous soirées, epitomizing the carefree spirit of the Jazz Age.
For men, beachwear on the French Riviera also underwent a transformation during the 1920s. Traditional swimwear gave way to more casual and comfortable ensembles, such as knitted polo shirts, linen trousers, and straw boater hats. The relaxed yet refined aesthetic of men's beachwear mirrored the laid-back elegance of the era and complemented the effortless glamour of women's beach pajamas.
The fashion for beach pajamas on the beaches of the French Riviera in the 1920s represented a departure from convention and a celebration of freedom, self-expression, and modernity. As the sun set on the Jazz Age and the world teetered on the brink of change, the legacy of beach pajamas endured, leaving an indelible mark on the history of resort fashion and the allure of the French Riviera.
The resort of Juan-les-Pins on the French Riviera became known as "Pyjamaland" or "Pyjamopolis" as pajamas became a common attire for its visitors. Many wore fashionable pajamas in the Chanel style.
Vogue magazine advertised the pajamas as a "wool suit for the beach."
Lido, the most famous beach in Venice. He lured potential wealthy visitors to the Lido to a "beach of sun and pajamas." The beaches and hotels of the Lido were places where people could feel comfortable either relaxing during the day or going out for a night of partying, wearing clothes that today are associated with sleep, illness or lazing around on the sofa.
Throughout the 1930s, this style spread further and could already be seen on the beaches of Great Britain.
By the start of World War II, the pajama craze was fading, and the swimsuit overtook pajamas in popularity as women's beachwear of choice.
