University life is often celebrated as a space of freedom, freedom of thought, expression, and identity. Among these freedoms is the liberty for students to dress as they please, embracing personal style without the rigid boundaries of uniforms.
However, as this culture of self-expression evolves, a new trend is quietly reshaping campus dress codes, the rise of pajamas in lecture halls.
What was once confined to the privacy of bedrooms and late-night routines has now made its way into academic spaces.
Pajamas, increasingly spotted in lecture halls, are becoming a statement whether of comfort, convenience, or a shifting attitude towards formality in education.
But the question still remains “are these acts a result of laziness or there is an undiscovered reason fueling the trend?”
The University of Zambia (UNZA) humanities and social sciences publicity secretary, Lisa Phiri echoes a different view as to what should be done to curb this trend.
“As a university, they can’t regulate students dress code but there should be some sort of provision that helps in maintaining how we students dress,” said phiri.
She added that every student is at liberty to wear anything especially under the school of humanities and social sciences where there is not one stipulated uniform for students.
However, Phiri noted that regardless, it’s socially unacceptable because it depicts students who are in Pajama as lazy and unorganized.
“When we look at the situation from a social point of view it’s not right because it communicates how unserious and irresponsible they are,” said Phiri.
“Personally I believe it is less about the Pajamas themselves and more about what they symbolize.”
Are students now trying to redefine the boundaries of formality?
As many may argue, people dress for different reasons such as seeking to stand out and feel good about themselves.
According to the National Institute Health, dressing appropriately helps students improve academic achievement and social behavioral engagement.
Meanwhile, a Social work student Esther Chitalu echoes a different view stating that wearing Pajamas in class or any public spaces doesn’t automatically make students lazy rather more about the symbolism and perception.
“Laziness is tied to effort, discipline, and engagement with studies, not clothing,” said Chitalu.
She argued that sometimes a student in pajamas could be just as hardworking and focused as one in a suit.
“As for me, clothing does not influence mindset, the idea that what we wear affects how we think and behave sometimes is not right,” said Chitalu.
Does this trend reinforce a casual or disengaged attitude among Students?
“Universities prepare students for the professional life and I believe attires are part of that social training,” noted Chitalu.
She added that wearing Pajamas in public spaces like malls can be also perceived as disregarding social etiquette, especially on the cultural expectations of our Zambian Soviet.
Chitalu has since called on the university to put guidelines on acceptable attire for lectures and campaigns to promote professional dressing by highlighting the link between attire and future career expectations.
Is it a harmless trend or it risks weakening respect for academic spaces?
This marks a stark contrast from secondary school life, where uniforms symbolize discipline, unity, and identity. In universities, that structure fades, replaced by individuality and choice.
But as the line between comfort and appropriateness begins to blur, an important question emerges, where do we draw the line between self-expression and setting standards in academic environments?