Louisiana commissioners urge 'no pajamas' dress codes

Resolution encourages businesses to prohibit patrons from wearing pajamas

SHREVEPORT, La. – Caddo Parish commissioners have voted 8-3 for a resolution encouraging businesses to adopt dress codes that would prohibit patrons from wearing pajamas.

Commission member Michael Williams sponsored the resolution, which was approved Thursday night.

"It's not by force, it's by choice; and I think people do better when you give them a choice," said District 3's Michael Williams, who authored the legislation. "You can't go into the Caddo Parish Courthouse sagging and in pajamas. Dressing can leave a negative image on children. Next is Victoria's Secret, and the next generation we might as well be in our Adam and Eve uniform."

Williams has been a vocal critic of wearing pajamas in public. He has been pushing the pajama issue since February and said he hopes passage of the resolution will later lead to an ordinance banning the wearing of such clothing in public.

Commissioner Michael Thibodeaux voted against the measure, saying it is an issue that shouldn't be solved by government.

Also Thursday, commissioners introduced an ordinance that would ban sagging pants. They'll vote on that proposal Nov. 8.

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