How did Indian pajamas become popular in Europe?

Indian pajamas were introduced to Europe in the early 17th century, initially serving as a form of informal, private attire. These garments, consisting of a soft cotton suit with trousers and a loose, fitted jacket, were brought to the West through trade and colonial contact.1

While they appeared in England during the 17th century, they initially fell out of fashion. Their widespread popularity in the Western world as men's sleeping attire was reestablished around 1870, after returning British colonials brought the style back from India. By the beginning of the 20th century, pajamas were adopted as women’s sleepwear, and by approximately 1920, they became fashionable as at-home evening wear.23

The term itself is derived from the Hindi and Urdu word pājāma, which originates from the Persian pā (leg) and jāma (garment). While the word refers specifically to loose trousers in India, its Western adoption evolved to describe the two-piece suit commonly worn for sleeping or lounging today.342