Pose & style reference · Outfits and accessories
Pajamas
Also called: pyjamas, sleepwear, onesie pajamas, kigurumi, パジャマ
In short
Pajamas are loose, comfortable clothes for sleeping and lounging, usually a matching top and trousers. In character art they range from classic button-up sets to nightgowns and kigurumi, the one-piece animal onesie pajamas with a hood shaped like an animal's head. They instantly set a scene at home, at night or on a lazy morning.
Reference photos
Photos are shown from mfan8.com with credit to the photographers and models. Tap a photo to open the full set.
Why pajamas work in character design
Pajamas show a character off duty. A strict or cool character in fluffy pajamas is a classic contrast, and a sleepover scene lets a whole cast show their personalities through what they sleep in. The word itself comes from Hindi and Urdu, where it meant a loose leg garment.
Kigurumi, a Japanese word for costumes worn as a whole-body outfit, became popular as sleepwear and casual wear in the 2000s, especially in animal designs.
Types of pajamas
- Button-up set: shirt with collar and piping, matching trousers. Neat, a little old-fashioned.
- T-shirt and shorts or jogger set: casual, modern.
- Nightgown: a long, loose dress, often with lace or ruffles at the neckline.
- Kigurumi onesie: a one-piece suit with a hood, animal ears, sometimes a tail and paw-shaped sleeves.
- Fleece or knit loungewear: thick, fluffy texture, oversized fit.
- Accessories: sleep mask, nightcap, hair band, slippers and a pillow or plush toy.
How to draw pajamas and loose fabric
Pajamas are drawn bigger than the body. Leave space between the figure and the clothes, especially at the elbows, knees and seat, and let the hems bunch at the wrists and ankles. Folds are soft and rounded; avoid the sharp creases you would draw on a shirt or uniform.
For a kigurumi, draw the hood as a separate shell around the head with the animal face on top of it, and let it sit slightly back from the forehead. Ears on the hood are stuffed fabric, so give them soft, rounded edges. Sleeves are often too long, covering the hands; this is a common cute detail called sleeves past the fingers.
Posing and photographing pajamas
Cosy poses fit naturally: hugging a pillow or plush toy, stretching with arms overhead, rubbing one eye, sitting cross-legged on a bed or curled up on a sofa. Raising a hood with both hands or making paw gestures works well in animal onesies.
Shoot in warm, soft light, such as a bedside lamp or window light in the morning. A slightly high angle on a bed or floor scene feels intimate and gentle; an eye-level angle feels more like a candid moment.
FAQ
What is a kigurumi?
A kigurumi is a one-piece costume or onesie, usually in an animal or character design, often worn as pajamas or loungewear.
Is it pajamas or pyjamas?
Both are correct. Pajamas is the usual American spelling and pyjamas the British one.
How do I make pajamas look comfy in a drawing?
Draw them oversized with soft, rounded folds, let the cuffs bunch at the wrists and ankles, and use a thick, slightly fuzzy line for fleece.