The quote describes a peculiar custom within Hugh Hefner's Playboy Mansion, where his live-in girlfriends were expected to wear matching pink flannel pajamas before engaging in activities that often included orgies. This tradition seems to be an attempt by Hefner to create uniformity and control over the intimate environment of the mansion.
On a deeper level, this quote highlights the complex dynamics within the Playboy Mansion’s social structure. The requirement for the girlfriends to wear identical pajamas symbolizes a blend of control and conformity imposed on women in a highly libertine setting. This practice also underscores the idea that even within environments characterized by sexual liberation and excess, there can be strict rules and conventions governing behavior and appearance. It reveals the paradoxical nature of such social arrangements, where freedom is juxtaposed with regimented expectations.
The quote comes from Monica Hesse, an American journalist known for her work on cultural history and lifestyle pieces. She has contributed to numerous publications and has a particular interest in exploring unconventional living situations and their implications on societal norms and individual freedoms.