Product Review: PajamaJeans

What is it: The manufacturer’s tag line says it all: “Looks like denim … but feels like PJs!” PajamaJeans are basically sweat pants designed to trick people into thinking you’re wearing jeans.

Price and Where to Buy: $39.95 on the PajamaJeans website. Your PajamaJeans purchase comes with a bonus T-shirt.

Pros: If you’re wondering why you’re reading about PajamaJeans on a travel site, just hear us out.  Tight clothing worn in flight—jeans included—is a reported cause of DVT (deep vein thrombosis), a dangerous condition that occurs when blood clots form in veins. Moreover, a narrow pair of skinny jeans worn on a red-eye is only slightly more comfortable than death by boa constrictor.

Are PajamaJeans the solution? Possibly. The pants, which are available in bootcut and skinny variations, are pretty comfy. The fabric (a blend of cotton and spandex) is thick and, although I’ve only had my pair for a few weeks, feels durable enough to withstand the rigors of travel. While the outside has a rugged jean-like feel, the inside of the jeans is soft and fleecy, like a good pair of sweats. I certainly don’t feel like my legs are being asphyxiated when I’m wearing them.

Cons: PajamaJeans promises that its product looks “too good to keep hidden under the covers.” That’s not exactly what ran through my mind when I tried on my bootcut pair and braved the mirror. The fit is all off: tight on the bum but very baggy in the legs. They felt like sweat pants, but they looked like weird ill-fitting discount store jeans or pants made by someone who misread a sewing pattern. There’s a hidden drawstring at the waist, but any scrunching destroys whatever limited jean fantasy the pants maintaned in the first place.

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With the fake fly that looks drawn on (there’s no zipper but there’s a kind of decorative fly detailing on the front), brass rivets, and school bus yellow stitching, the pants are not shy about what they’re pretending to be. But I don’t think anyone who has seen the commercial for PajamaJeans (read: anyone who owns a television) or visited a Bloomingdales would be fooled.

How it Rates:   

• Usefulness: 4/10 – The jeans are mostly a novelty. They’re perfect if you’re looking for a comfy alternative to sweat pants for long plane rides and you’re absolutely desperate to wear jeans. Otherwise, you could always opt for a long skirt or wide-leg pants. See more ideas on our Pinterest page.
• Portability: 5/10 – PajamaJeans are pretty thick, so they’re not ideal for packing. We recommend wearing them in transit to save suitcase space.
• Value: 7/10 – At less than 40 bucks, these pants are a fraction of the cost of designer denim.
• Durability: 10/10 – PajamaJeans could be the most durable pseudo-sweats you own.
• Cool Factor: 1/10 – If a commercial promises that a product is “stylish” and “sexy,” it’s probably not. These pants were made for comfort, not for successful first dates or job interviews.

Final Verdict: PajamaJeans are a step above actual pajamas, but they’re no style substitute for good denim. If you hate wearing jeans on planes but wouldn’t be caught dead outside the house in sweats, these could be for you.

Editor’s Note: Reviews are based on usefulness, portability, durability, value, and “cool factor.” Some review products are sent to us free of charge and with no incentive to offer a favorable review. We offer our unbiased opinions, positive and negative, and will never accept compensation to review a product. If you have any questions or comments concerning our reviews, or would like to suggest a product for review, please email us at [email protected].