What Are Drop Seat Pajamas?

Drop seat pajamas are sleepwear with a flap over the buttocks that the wearer may lower at his or her discretion. The garments also are known as butt flap pajamas. The primary purpose of the drop seat is to allow the wearer to easily use the toilet without removing the entire pajama. This kind of sleepwear was popular around the 1950s, but it has declined in use to the point where it is somewhat difficult to find in general department stores. Drop seats are easy to find through online vendors, however.

The flap of the pajama typically is held in place with hook-and-loop closures, snaps, or buttons. When the wearer wishes to lower the flap, he undoes these fasteners and lets the material of the flap fall downward. The wearer simply reverses the process to reattach the flap to the rest of the pajama. Snaps are the standard on contemporary drop seat pajamas, as they are easier to manage compared to buttons.

Usually, manufacturers make this type of sleepwear for children, particularly toddlers, although some adult versions are available for both men and women. These versions often are purchased for novelty or reasons of nostalgia. In some instances, adult pajamas prove useful when a person has a medical condition that limits mobility.

Although the main function of drop seat pajamas is to let the wearer use the bathroom, parents also often like them because they allow the parents to check a child's diaper or pull-up with ease. Parents who support spanking as a method of discipline also sometimes like the pajamas because the parent quickly can expose a child's bottom, although this is a controversial benefit. Another advantage includes modesty, as the pajama does not require total removal.

Companies who make these pajamas typically use materials like polar fleece or polyester, which are fire-retardant. They are very warm, as well, which is important for small children who may not be ready to use regular blankets. In adult versions of drop seats, however, more variety is found in the material. Some manufacturers produce versions that use only natural fabrics like cotton to meet the needs of those with skin conditions or allergies.

Traditionally, drop seat pajamas are just one color, having no design. One reason for this is that the materials used tend to pill and show wear rather easily, meaning that designs can become less vibrant or clear over just a few washings. This sleepwear is produced in a wide range of colors, and some companies do make versions with designs, particularly if the design relates to a popular phrase, concept, or media production. In these cases, the design connects directly to the company's marketing scheme.