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January 19, 2015

Chic, cozy, completely charming vintage appropriate sleepwear from Maddy James


For most of us, even those who love these icy cold months, there is no season that calls for hunkering down inside and staying roasty-toasty quite like winter. It just seems natural to get our inner grizzly bear on and hibernate - at least come evenings and weekends - from November to March (or April/May, if you live in most parts of Canada!).

Tony and I love to do just that on our rare days off as snowflakes whirl around outside like giant handfuls of confetti, settle in for movie marathons, TV series binges (how did any of us get by on that front with out Netflix? :)), games of scrabble and long, delightfully leisurely hours of reading (he, usually, on his Kindle, I - die hard traditionalist - with a good, old fashioned paper book in hand).

This winter I've had the immense pleasure of spending many of those care-free, much needed moments of relaxation in a pair of fabulous Aubrey Pajamas that I received as a review gift last year from vintage inspired loungewear company Maddy James (who you may remember from this April 2014 interview post with the company's founder, Gina).

As I discussed in that post, Maddy James' timelessly classic, highly vintage inspired sleep and lounge wear fills a major void in the vintage reproduction/vintage inspired world - that of beautiful old school approved attire for our downtime at home (not to mention when one is traveling and comfort because an even more important issue while living out of a suitcase).




The Aubrey pajama set (pictured above) is truly charming and very well constructed - not to mention as comfortable as a winter cloud. The short sleeve top is made from lightweight viscose rayon and trimmed with cotton on the adorable fluttery sleeves. The pants - an area where I often run into issues due to the fact that it's challenging for me to wear tight things for long periods on my mid-section due to some of my medical conditions - are fantastic and a million miles away from being tight (due to the waistband, I mean) or hard to sport for hours or even full days at a time. They're made of 100% cotton, are flat front and sport a very easy to get along with elastic back.

Like most of the best pj's out, I find that this two-piece 1940s style set only gets softer with each washing and having lived in frequently for for a few months now, I can honestly say that they've held up superbly after many wearings and washes. I love that this sleepwear set can work all year round. During the chilly winter months I do top it with a robe or cardigan sometimes for extra warmth, but its combo of short sleeves and long pants mean that it will be perfect on its own for the other three seasons, which I can't say of most other lighter or heavier weight/long sleeved pj sets.

The Aubrey pajamas, which are available in two colours (purple and blue) retail for $70.00 US and are worth every penny (and then some!) in my books. They're truly comfortable, highly becoming (which is not something that can be said of all sleep or lounge wear in the slightest) and wonderfully mid-century looking.

In addition to this fun set of forties style pj's, Maddy James, an American based company that just started last year, sells a great selection of other vintage appropriate lounge and sleepwear with pieces to suit the tastes, moods, and lifestyles of many early to mid-century fashionistas (and of course, their timeless beauty makes them ideal for those who are fans of contemporary garments as well).

Nightgowns in lux, completely Jean Harlow worthy fabrics and cuts, pajamas so soft and comfy you may never want to take them off, robes that exude glamour and sophistication at every turn, and cute, fun separates that suit summer's heat especially well, round out the current list of Maddy James offerings. Many (if not all!) of which I know any of us would love to add to our lounge and sleepwear wardrobe (thank you can do just that from ordering directly from Maddy James’ online shop).



{The unendingly sophisticated Cynthia Breakfast Coat from Maddy James' line of robes. Image, along with that of the Aubrey pajama set above, via Maddy James' website.}


I would personally place Maddy James' offerings at high up on the quality scale and adore that this US based brand is offering women the the ability to bring a heart dose of yesteryear off-duty style into their vintage or 21st century wardrobes alike (at present Maddy James offers small to XL sizes, as well as plus sizes for some of their garments). My Aubrey pajama set came with us to Vancouver Island last fall and has seen more play since I received it (thank you so much for the awesome review gift, Gina) than any other loungewear in my wardrobe, hands down.

From their classic Hollywood sophistication to their soft-as-a-feather materials and top-notch construction, Maddy James' pieces are the kind of lux, own it for years (if not forever!) sleep and loungewear that any old school loving lady's wardrobe needs.

Trust me, I'm honest-to-goodness sporting my Aubrey pj's as I type this. You'll live in anything and everything you receive from Maddy James and wonder how your at home leisure hours ever got by without these stylish sleepwear offerings.


24 comments:

  1. They're so pretty, I'd be tempted to wear them out and about.

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  2. Hello dear friend Jessica okay?
    This pajama is just wonderful, a real glamor and very chic. It must be a great feeling to use an appropriate vintage clothing inspired by the 1940s in full in 2015!
    Sensational and it seems that the fabric is very comfortable.
    I really like winter but here in the region where I live, although Southern Brazil is not enough to snow. But you can use a good coat, scarf and gloves, much like this season in June and July.
    In this year have stipulated a goal to re-read some books and I'm a list of movies to watch. I just love staying at home, watching a good movie, eat popcorn, a simple entertainment and fun.
    Please forgive the words I use Google Translate.
    I wish a great weekend with lots of health, happiness and many achievements!
    Tons of hugs!
    Love, Cris.

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    1. Hello lovely Cris, thank you very much for your friendly comment. I'm well, dear gal, how are you this week? It is a treat to wear beautiful 1940s style pajamas like this. I highly recommend Maddy James' awesome offerings, if you're ever looking to add some great vintage inspired lounge or sleepwear to your own wardrobe.

      There's no need to apologize at all. It's wonderful that we live in a day and age where the technology for Google Translate exists and that it allows us to converse even though we don't speak the same language.

      Tons of hugs coming your way from snowy Canada,
      ♥ Jessica

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  3. I really like the maddy james stuff and plan to order one of their 30s style night gowns eventually

    retro rover

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  4. Her stuff is a bit out of my price range, but I do love some of the designs. The 30s style sleepwear is really lovely. I let my inner grizzly out in more way than one (hey, no one sees my legs for a few months anyway...), so some nice looking lounge about clothes are key.

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    1. Too funny! :D I can't stand the feel of peach fuzz on my gams (or other body parts for that matter), so I shave all year round, but if such wasn't the case, I'd be going au natural with you on that front come winter, too.

      If Gina ever asks me for names of bloggers to work with (sometimes sponsor companies will do this), I'll put in a good word for you, dear gal.

      ♥ Jessica

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  5. Oooh, those look deliciously comfortable! This time of year I'm usually bundled up in my old-man plaid flannel PJs, waiting for spring. These look like a nice stylish alternative. ;)

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  6. I hope to get a good bit of money one day so I can buy a pair of those gorgeous pajamas! They look so elegant, and cozy. I'm sure you floated about your house like a lovely starlet after receiving your pair, huh? (I know I would!)

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    1. Massively so! The fact that they're as soft as a cloud helps one to float about like one all the more. :)

      ♥ Jessica

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  7. These pj's are so cute. I really love the style of the top and they look so comfy.

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  8. Very nice indeed! I find myself wearing clothes that I don't like at home, just because my skin cannot handle certain fabrics that are used for going out. And I lack of pretty indoors clothes that are comfy and Maddy's sounds lovely!

    Hugs x,
    Beta

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    1. My sweet friend, I can imagine how challenging that must be. I have to avoid certain materials due to allergies, but that's not the same camp you're in at all, I know. I wonder if any of Maddy James' beautiful offerings would "play nice", if you will", with your skin's medical situation?

      Tons of hugs coming straight back at you from snowy Penticton,
      ♥ Jessica

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  9. How sophisticated is that robe!! I like that it has buttons, not a tie as I always walk round the house searching for the tie for my robe!

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    1. Does't it just ooze old Hollywood glamour and elegance? I don't own it (that robe) myself, but I certainly wouldn't mind adding one to my closet some day. It's a truly timeless stunner.

      That's cute - if, for you, a bit irksome. Do you have any pets that might be to blame for your robe tie's frequent disappearance?

      ♥ Jessica

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  10. Now I have a picture of you and Tony reading in front of a fireplace, sipping spiced tea (or hot cocoa) and eventually exchanging remarks of what you read, or kisses. Not bad at all. In fact I sit in front of the lit fireplace and read (your blog) with a mug of spiced tea. :) And do I long for a piece of Maddy James?! I've seen it before, and really truly love it, but since I live in Denmark, it would be VERY expensive if it got caught in customs, and it often does. Only small boring envelopes go right through customs. But a girl can dream, right. :) I bought a lovely Edelweiss lounge set in Austria last summer, it was not a set, but I made it into one. Grey pants with green Edelweis embroidery and a matching green T-shirt with a rhinestone reindeer, so I don't complain. Wishing you a lovely day, dear. I will read on ...

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    1. Hi sweet Sanne, I hear you loud and clear on the import costs front. We get hit with hefty charges there, too, here in Canada when importing things from anywhere outside of the country. I think it should be against the law for any country to charge import on personal mail, but alas, such is the case and I highly doubt it will ever change.

      Your Edelweiss set sounds so charming! Aww, a little rhinestone eyed reindeer, how precious!


      Tons of hugs & my happiest wishes for a great day to you as well, dear friend!
      ♥ Jessica

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  11. I have to admit that I'm drawn straight to the high-glamour pieces of the range! These PJs look very comfy indeed, and are a nice colour/fabric, but I think I could probably find something similar on the UK high street, so it wouldn't be a worthwhile purchase on those terms. But the silky night gowns - I would be very tempted indeed if MJ was based over here! x

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  12. There are some beautiful pieces on that website. The pj's do look comfy, you could probably wear the top as outwear in warmer weather? I have some gorgeous 20's and 30's nightgown sewing patterns from my grandmother which I always promise I'll make but I never get around to it.
    Thank you for your lovely comment on my last post - I was very touched to hear you've been thinking of me! I think of you (and other bloggy buddies) often as well, I just don't get on here very often these days, but I'm trying to make the effort. I hope you had a fab Christmas and New Year xxx :)

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    1. They (or at least the pair I received) is as comfy as cloud! You know, while I don't usually advocate wearing pj's out and about (I sooo wish that trend would vanish!), I agree that this shirt could easily be worn as a lovely flutter sleeve t-shirt. I'd probably pair it with either a 50s pencil skirt or circle skirt or a pair of 40s style high waisted jeans.

      How marvelous that you have some genuine 20s and 30s sewing patterns from your grandmother. I think that the vintage items we receive from family members are the most precious we can ever own (that's the passionate genealogist in my speaking :)).

      I definitely have thought of you often, my lovely friend, and hope that life has been kind to you in recent months. I'm always here if you want to chat "off blog" via email or even good old fashioned snail mail.

      I had a lovely holiday season, thank you (of which, perhaps because it was was of the most relaxing days of that month, Christmas Eve was my very favourite day). I hope yours as a peach, too.

      Tons of hugs coming your way,
      ♥ Jessica

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  13. I am going to think of myself as a hibernating bear on cosy winter days in from now on! I really like the sound of your day in, a perfect set of activities. Mind you, I am hopeless at Scrabble. For someone who is pretty well read I do very badly as I can never think of any words! The Maddy James set is very stylish.

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  14. Oh my word, this shop is sensational! As as self-confessed homebody I love having something a little bit spesh to slip into at home. I just clicked over to the online store and I've selected a couple of items to add to my birthday wish-list, namely the velvet lounging pants and the Katharine Jumpsuit. I'm also going to forward this onto my Mum, because I can see many potential Mother's Day gifts among the Maddy James collection!

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    1. It really is marvelous and in terms of the PJ set I've tried at least, their products are equally fantastic. I love that they appeal to you and are also something that you could see your mom enjoying. Such does not always ring true in the fashion world, but I think that the truly timeless pieces that Maddy James offers appeal to those at all stages of adult life.

      If either or both of you try any of their products, I hope that you adore them to bits!

      ♥ Jessica

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  15. I'd love to have seen you in this, its so adorable. And the exact favorite of mine from her line as well. Except the one Va Voom Vintage modeled with a rotary phone, I believe.

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    1. That one was stunning, too! Perhaps one day. We have exceedingly little natural light let alone room for an indoor shoot in our house, which is why I virtually never do them indoors (it just kills, understandably, Tony that he can't get a good set up inside or the quality of photos he's happy with presenting to the world, so we generally refrain there). Perhaps one day if we're on holiday or move to a bigger abode and if the jammies are still in presentable shape, I'll do an outfit post with them.

      ♥ Jessica

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