Choosing the right sleepwear can help you get the good night’s sleep that you deserve.
So, what to wear in bed? The main things to consider are body temperature and comfort. That means natural fabrics are the order of the day thanks to their ultra-breathability compared to synthetic materials.
PJs, T-shirt or birthday suit, find out what to wear to get a great night’s sleep.
Best clothes to sleep in
It’s not so much the style of clothing, rather the materials that make the most difference for improving your sleep.
However, comfort is key, so go for loose-fitting clothing that gives you room to stretch out and sleep comfortably.
Some examples of popular sleepwear include;
- Pyjamas
- Nightdress or nightshirt
- T-shirt and pants
- Shorts and a vest or tank top
- Underwear
- Sleeping naked
What is the healthiest thing to wear to bed?
Many people agree that sleeping naked is one of the healthiest ways to sleep. Wearing just your birthday suit to bed keeps you cool, allows your skin to breathe and could even improve circulation.
Sleeping in your underwear can result in a build-up of bacteria or inflammation, especially for women. To avoid skin irritation and infections, many medical professionals suggest that you should ditch underwear alongside your pyjamas when going to sleep.
What should hot sleepers wear in bed?
Overheating is one of the most common causes of sleeplessness, providing an uncomfortable environment for you to sleep in.
If you often awake with night sweats, then choose a material that helps to regulate body heat. Stay cool in bed wearing loose and lightweight cotton, silk, bamboo or linen sleepwear. And whatever you do, avoid synthetic fabrics.
Best fabric for pyjamas and sleepwear
Here’s a breakdown of the best fibres to improve your sleep quality...
Cotton pajamas and sleepwear
Cotton is a lightweight and breathable material, allowing air circulation when wearing it to sleep in. This material causes minimal irritation to the skin, promoting a comfortable night’s sleep.
Be careful though, as cotton fabric provides little insulation and could cause you to be too cold when temperatures are low. It might be best to bring out the lightweight cotton PJs when temperatures are a little warmer.
Silk
I know what you’re thinking, fancy schmancy. But this lightweight, breathable material is super soft and comfortable to sleep in. This magical material provides warmth when you’re cold and cools you when you’re hot.
Despite these benefits, sleeping in silk isn’t for everyone. This slippery fabric can be annoying for people that aren’t used to it. Not only this, but silk usually needs to be dry cleaned...talk about high maintenance.
Bamboo
This natural fabric is more comfortable than it sounds, being silky and soft to the touch. This material should keep you at the perfect temperature for a comfortable sleep. The list of benefits is long; bamboo pyjamas are hypoallergenic and therefore beneficial for allergy sufferers. They are also eco-friendly… guilt-free pyjamas!
For allergy sufferers, a hypoallergenic mattress that’s designed to prevent allergic reactions can help you sleep more comfortably.
Flannel and woven fabric
Flannel is an insulating and thick material for pyjamas, adding warmth on colder days. It’s also still breathable which means it should stop you from overheating, despite being thick.
Linen
Linen is a breathable fabric that’s also soft to the touch making it great for sleepwear. A luxurious option that’s perfect for hot nights.
Sleep accessories
If you have trouble sleeping, there are a few accessories that could help you fall asleep.
- Eye mask - to block out the light and help you fall asleep quicker
- Earplugs - to block out background noise and distractions
- Socks - to keep you warm in bed on chilly nights
What to avoid wearing in bed?
Wool is your pyjama enemy. As cosy as woolly pyjamas feel throughout the winter months, these PJs are probably going to induce overheating when you’re trying to catch some Zs.
Other things to steer clear of include;
- Any sleepwear in a synthetic fabric
- Dirty clothes - such as the pants and T-shirt you’ve been wearing all day!
- Clothing that is too tight or restrictive
- Buttons or zips that could dig in uncomfortably
- Scratchy or itchy lace
- Tight underwear or bras
- Wearing makeup or jewellery in bed
Why wear pyjamas to bed at all?
You might have seen the articles flying around on the internet, suggesting that you shouldn’t wear pyjamas to bed. Apparently, sleeping nude helps with the regulation of your body temperature, and this could lead to a range of health benefits.
Firstly, not sleeping in pyjamas means that you won’t be waking up in the middle of the night feeling overheated and uncomfortable. Overheating prevents your body from producing enough Melatonin and growth hormone, which are both used for repair and anti-ageing.
Because of this, anything that prevents overheating is going to be beneficial for not only your sleep but overall health and rejuvenation.
With this in mind, our Coolmax range of cooling memory foam mattresses is designed to regulate temperature and keep things fresh.
What should I wear to bed?
Everyone is different, and what you find comfortable will depend on what type of sleeper you are.
It's not just what you wear to bed - the surface you sleep on plays an enormous role when it comes to comfort. A memory foam mattress will provide a number of health benefits and a luxuriously soft feel - every night of the week.
Armed with the right PJs and the perfect mattress, you’ll be sleeping like a dream. If you think your mattress has seen better days, take a look at our luxurious range of memory foam mattresses.
