I feel sympathy for the pyjama wearers & would probably do it myself if I had the guts. I have often done the school run unwashed in a tracksuit (the closest I dare to PJs). I agree that it is disgusting.

Difficult to take pride when you are struggling to get several children under 5 out the door.

Tara, Wimbledon,

I was really quite surprised to read this, and I actually thought it might be a joke or an early or late April Fools Day trick. However, the comments on here from people who live in N.Ireland confirms it.

Why do they go out in their pyjamas? Are they trendy pyjamas and is there a particular way to wear them? Do they have lots of pairs of pyjamas? The whole thing is so strange I find it quite difficult to understand, do they spend the whole day in pyjamas? I suppose it saves them worrying about what to wear but it does seem a very, very lazy thing to do.

Anna, Cambridge,

Yeah and middle class people driving their kids in petrol guzzling cars when their spoilt kids could walk isn't offensive.

The Irish still remain as something to jeer at, which of course tells us more about the ignorance of those who jeer.

As someone who lives in 'dreaded' Belfast and who knows some of these mothers there is no doubt that their children are loved and cared for. Pride in children remains pretty much a constant among such women. What about that B in Swindon?

Paul, belfast, NoSnobsTown

> The kids probably haven't been washed or brushed their teeth in days either. The
> headlice they must have in those schools.

To assume that Belfast women would let their children get lice because they themselves drop their kids off to school in pyjamas is probably one of the most snobbish, bigoted, idiotic extrapolation I have ever heard.

Hang your head in shame, "B of Swindon"

An Amateur Anthropologist, Liverpool,

I have seen these same people and its never ceased to amaze me that it doesnt dawn on them how embarassing it is. Do they not realise that other people going about their daily tasks look at each other and snigger at the PJ brigade? I have come to think that these people dont know any better and the same goes for those who think its okay to walk about clad in nightwear. Oh, Ive just thought, they are sleepwalking. Maybe we should all give them a good shaking to wake them up!!!!!!!! Somehow or other I dont believe it would make a blind bit of difference. It makes me cringe watching these 'ladies' going to and from schools and shops well into the afternoon. Come on girls get a grip of your 'whata ma call its' AND GET DRESSED and stop letting the side down.

Máire , belfast, ireland

No doubt these are people who haven't anything to get dressed for, having outsourced the onerous burden of providing for their family onto the state.

It would seem the situation suits them well enough, as pepole actively trying to find work would at least take the time to get dresed of a morning.

The kids probably haven't been washed or brushed their teeth in days either. The headlice they must have in those schools.

B, Swindon,

Maybe you shouldn't be looking in the cars at what their wearing...so sad the attention paid to things that don't matter...I like the one that said "looks awful" well don't look.

Crystal Knierim, Manahawkin, nj

Is it true that the head superintendent's wife is a pj mama as well?

Emma H., Ottawa, Canada

Older mothers are more likely to wear pyjamas outside the house. Fathers also. Even grandparents roped into childcare will do this. They are simply tired and would rather be relaxing at home possibly. Older people are being overstretched by childcare responsibilities. This goes unrecognized and unplanned for.
Child rearing and care demand high energy levels and are occupations best undertaken by the young.

niki, london, uk

I've lived in Derry all my life and never seen this, thank God. What a shame.

sinead, derry,

yes, it is shameful to se these women...but then these kind of 'low-life' women have no pride or class anyway, so there is little point in trying to talk sense to them. They wouldn't know what 'class' was if they tripped over it. Ugh...they disgust me.

Stephen, Belfast,

Gary, Belfast-

Aye, Liverpool too mate. Although I don't think it's the Irish-Catholic connection so much as the "Can't be bothered to get ready in the morning" connection.

Although I must say that, though we have the same thing, I've never seen it on the scale of fifty mothers at a school gate all still in their PJ's. The odd girl maybe, but fifty of them calls for a council cleanup crew, surely.

Simon Harkner, Liverpool, UK

II just love my pyjamas....so I often come home after a long day at work, shower...change into my pyjamas to curl up and watch a movie. On the weekends...I love to laze away in them and I often do my housework in them....for the same reason as Freda - Spain....so as not to get my clothes dirty...Funny isnt it!! Once finished..a quick shower and off I go...
BUT as for wearing them out....I have been known to pick the boys up from football in them but never get out the car.
So how did I come across this story...lol....I have my friend over in the UK right now...frantically hunting for a new pair of trendy pyjamas for me......and he cant find any!!!

Bev, Melbourne, Australia

Of course they could always have spot fines for mothers wearing such attire? Then it could be discussed in the House of Commons/Parliament/Lords and a Law passed so it becomes 'unlawful' to wear jammies and those so doing given ASBOs. BUT what a lot of money, time and energy wasted this would be (as is much else!), however the good thing is that NOT to do so (on this occasion!) might actually set a precident for far more common sense taken when addressing such issues, and those in 'power' might even ask themselves such questions as " Is this issue worthy of public debate or not?", thus reducing 90% of all newspaper, media and political reporting/discussion/debate, thereby saving billions of pounds of taxpayers hard earned money.

T. Bishop, London, UK

In Liverpool also? Must be an Irish Catholic condition!

Gary , Belfast, UK

I live in inland Spain. The ladies in this Pueblo do there house work and wash the front step in pajamas and dressing gown during the winter, in summer it is too hot. When asked about it they say, why get your clothes dirty.
Personaly I would rather have clean jamas.
Where we would rush to get dressed to answer the door, they consider that they are dressed.
Really it is all a matter of custom and taste.

Freda, Malaga, Spain

Wearing Pyjamas out and about is commonplace amoungst local residents in shanghai where we have lived for 3 years. Shanghainese like to stroll about the neigbourhood after supper with their families or loved ones in various types of nightwear (always pyjamas never nighties or negligees). Some pyjamas can be quite smart with padded versions for the colder months, some in silk or bold designs. Some ladies are rather glamourous with full make up and 'put up' hair styles. There is also a fair share of sad baggy seen better days jimjams(usually on older males) but only a smattering of ugly slippers - normal shoes including high heels prevail here. Here no one bats an eyelid - it is a vital part of the huge fashion cornucopia that is Shanghai and long may it continue. Belfast is not usually known for its fashion mavens, but it may be on to something here !

Mason, Shanghai, PRC

Does this mean they havent washed that morning? and how long do they wear each set of pyjamas for- several days and nights on end? ewwwww!

J, Oxford,

They do the same in Liverpool, looks awful.

pete, Bristol, England

what's it got to do with him what people choose to wear?

John Ledbury, Kings Lynn, England

For goodness sake! Take a bit of pride ladies!!! This is taking casual just a bit too far.

Lucy Crosby, Liverpool,