Buying Guide – Shopping for the Best Women's Pajamas
Below we are going to cover every aspect you should consider when looking to purchase new pajamas, including the different materials to choose from, styles, colors, and patterns.
We want you to know your options when you are searching for new pajamas and making your sleep the best possible quality.
Material
When it comes to picking out new women’s pajama set, the most important aspect is material. You will not see the pattern while you sleep, but the wrong material can keep you from getting the sleep you need.
Moisture-wicking fabrics in sleepwear and bedding is always a great idea, so you stay as comfortable as possible at night. Sweating overnight can disturb your sleep or make you wake up uncomfortable. This is true in both warm and cold climates.
Here are the most common materials you will have to choose from:
Silk
Silk is a fabric which has been shown to have several benefits, including relief from hot flashes and keeping your skin hydrated. The tightly-woven smooth fibers of silk help keep moisture close to the skin and is great for dry skin. Silk has also been known to help soothe irritated skin and is a hypoallergenic material. Silk is usually more expensive than some other materials and can be harder to care for, some even requiring dry cleaning.
Satin
The difference between silk and satin is that satin is a weave and silk is a naturally-occurring fiber. Satin is usually made up of a mix of fibers such as silk, polyester, or nylon. In addition, silk is more difficult to produce and usually more expensive. Satin is a luxurious-feeling material and is very gentle on your skin for less money and gives you many of the same benefits as silk.
Cotton
Cotton is widely-available and very well known, making it relatively inexpensive and available in many different styles and designs. Cotton is soft, comfortable, durable, and washes well. The only real negatives to cotton is that it is not very insulating and tend to collect moisture versus wick it away.
Linen
Linen is made from cellulose fibers which grow in the stalks of flax plants. Linen is considered a luxurious material for sleepwear, much like silk. However, it is extremely soft and durable, as well as being especially breathable. Linen is a top choice for warmer climates.
Fleece
Fleece repels water, so it is extremely moisture-wicking to keep you comfortable, is an excellent insulator, and is breathable and washable. However, it is a fairly heavy material and can make you overly warm if you are in a warm environment.
Flannel
Flannel is very durable and tends to get softer the more you wash it, and is easy to keep clean. However, it is a heavier material made to insulate, and so is best in cooler temperatures. Flannel tends not to be a year-round material, but is extremely cozy and comfortable in the winter. Be aware that flannel is also flammable, so keep away from open flame.
Microfiber
Microfiber fabric is very thin and is synthetic, made of very fine fibers of polyester. It is a very affordable material, stay quite soft, and resists pilling and wear and tear. It is less breathable than cotton but will keep you warm with less material.
Bamboo
Bamboo is a soft and breathable material which is becoming more and more popular for sleepwear. It can be anti-microbial and natural but is often touted as not eco-friendly because even though bamboo is a sustainable plant, the most common way to process it uses environmentally toxic solvents.
Style
There are several different styles of women’s pajamas, many of which are featured in our top picks above. Styles can range from practical to loungewear to closer to lingerie and come in every design you can imagine. Whatever your style wants, there are pajamas out there for you!
Here are some different pajama styles you can expect to see when shopping:
Dress/Nightgown
- A dress or nightgown style sleepwear tends to be flowy, soft, and nonrestrictive. It is made for you to stay comfortable in any position.
- A sleep shirt or shorter dress is similar and will hit above the knee. Dress style sleepwear can ride up while sleeping but gives you a lot of freedom of movement.
- Dresses, sleep shirts, and nightgowns can come in almost any style you can imagine, from Victorian-inspired to more like a silky robe to menswear-inspired button downs.
- Consider whether you are looking for long sleeves, short sleeves, sleeveless, tank top style, or other kinds of straps when looking at pajamas.
Sets
- Pajama sets are usually coordinated sets of two pieces to form a top and a bottom which match each other or go together well. They are often made of the same material and style and are bought together for one price.
- Sets can be any two pieces, such as long pants and a long sleeve top, shorts and a short sleeve top, shorts and a tank top, and more.
- No matter your style, you will be able to find a comfortable pajama set.
Onesie
- Onesies have recently exploded in popularity, making them very easy to find at an affordable price and in many different styles.
- Onesies can have a button-front closure or a zipper closer.
- You can get either an animal-themed onesie or a pattern or solid color.
- Onesies come in all shapes and sizes but are typically not very form fitting.
Individual Pieces
- If you don’t want a matching or coordinated set, you can easily purchase individual pieces to make a unique set of sleepwear or loungewear.
- Individual pieces include lounge pants, pajama bottoms, t-shirt style tops, button downs, long sleeve and short sleeve tops, tank tops, and many more.
- By purchasing individual pieces, you are going to be able to find exactly the right pieces which fit your personal style.
Color & Pattern
When it comes to colors and patterns, it is not an exaggeration to say that you’ll be able to find anything you want in sleepwear. From unicorns and rainbows to plaid to solid colors to a taco print, if you can think of it, it more than likely exists in women’s pajamas.
If you are splurging and looking to keep the pajamas for a long time, think about focusing on more neutral colors and styles, as they are more timeless and you are less likely to lose interest in the pattern.