Mother's Day approaches, and the perennial question of what to gift the maternal figure in your life emerges. This year, pajamas have become the unexpected hero of the occasion - a choice that reflects a deeper shift in how we view women's intimate apparel. Long before the modern pajama set, the lingerie industry was shaped by the needs of mothers. In the 19th century, the corset reigned supreme, but its rigid boning was impractical for nursing or rest. By the 1920s, designers like Paul Poiret began championing looser silhouettes, paving the way for the lounge and sleepwear we now take for granted. Brands such as Eberjey, founded in 1996, revived the tradition of soft, feminine nightgowns, while Nordstrom's Moonlight line - introduced in the 2000s - democratized luxury with its eco-friendly knits. Even Cozy Earth, favored by Kris Jenner, echoes the early 20th-century shift toward comfort, when silk kimonos replaced restrictive bed jackets. For the modern mother, today's pajama options are a far cry from the starched linen shifts of the Victorian era. Gingham sets evoke the 1950s housewife aesthetic, while constellation-printed styles nod to the space-age optimism of the 1960s. As you consider a gift, remember that you're not just buying fabric - you're honoring a lineage of women who fought for the right to rest in comfort. Whether it's a $20 sea-print set from Old Navy (founded in 1994, democratizing fashion) or a timeless Moonlight knit, each piece carries the legacy of liberation from the corset.
Originally reported by US Magazine