Pyjamas in public - the height of fashion or a turn-off?

Pyjamas are going public more than ever, thanks to A-list endorsements and the desire of some people to show off expensive PJs.

Fashionista favourite Victoria Beckham wore a negligee-like dress to the Wimbledon tennis final last week and a trend which started in small rural towns and cities like Kaitaia and Gisborne has reached trendy Ponsonby in Auckland.

And a popular style of trousers - known as harem pants - has fed the fires with their resemblance to pyjama bottoms.

But fashion experts are not in favour. Stylist Pebbles Hooper says pyjamas are for bed only.

"I do often see people wearing pyjamas in public, and it's just like, you're not in bed.

"To wear pyjamas in public isn't being outspoken, it's not proving any point, it's just clarifying you're lazy. Unless you're Hugh Hefner, it does not work."

Gisborne businessman Ken Hubert says the number of pyjama wearers has dropped since last year's publicity."Maybe it's moved on to the cities," he laughed.

Waikato designer Annah Stretton says public PJ-wearers need to "value their visual" a bit more.

"It's been happening rurally for a long time, so if city folk want to emulate that and label us as trend-setters, good on you.

"But the onesies are dreadful - just stretch-and-grows for adults."

The Edge's Jay-Jay Feeney says pyjamas are acceptable only in homes, hospitals or rest homes.

"They're very comfortable and I can understand why they are worn, but you just look like a lazy slob with nothing going on in your life.

"Onesies are also something to be kept hidden in the privacy of your own home. I do wear mine nightly, but I wouldn't even walk out to the letterbox in it."

Heart of Gisborne support manager Jade Baty says it is still "not a good look" and is openly discouraged in the East Coast centre.

"We would like people to have pride in the city centre, and that goes for the way they present themselves in public.

"If people feel comfortable to wear them, maybe we've made it too comfortable a place to be."