How to Choose Better Pajamas (And Why Fabric Matters More Than You Think)

It’s almost National Pajama Day, which falls on April 6. Although it’s a lighthearted holiday, it raises a good question. When was the last time you bought pajamas?

You probably sleep in an old T-shirt or worn out clothes, but sleepwear matters more than we think. We often care a lot about the quality and material of our sheets, mattresses, and pillow cases, but pajamas are the ones that sit directly against your skin for hours every night. So why don’t they get the same amount of attention?

Since we spend about a third of our lives sleeping, comfortable and breathable sleepwear can take a big part in the quality of your rest.

Synthetic fabrics such as polyester may be affordable and popular, but they can trap heat and moisture against your skin, shed microplastics, and the production is often bad for the environment. They also tend to smell worse over time.

Plus, during the manufacturing process, they are often treated with chemicals that may include phthalates, bisphenols, and PFAS. Most of these are considered endocrine disrupting chemicals, which can actually disrupt hormone systems in the body and lead to other issues.

This may not necessarily mean that synthetic fabrics will harm you right away, but prolonged exposure to heavily chemically treated fabrics could become problematic, and after I found this out, it was unironically keeping me up just thinking about it!

Cozy Earth Women’s Sutton Short Sleeve Pajama Set

Cozy Earth Women’s Sutton Short Sleeve Pajama Set Made from 100% lightweight cotton poplin and sandwashed for a soft, lived-in feel, this short sleeve set is crisp, breathable, and comfortable. The classic Peter Pan collar adds a timeless touch, making it a simple and stylish choice for everyday sleepwear.

Old Navy Poplin Pajama Pant Set

Old Navy Poplin Pajama Pant Set This crisp cotton poplin set from Old Navy features a long sleeve button-front shirt with a spread collar and patch chest pocket, paired with elastic-waist pants with on-seam pockets and a decorative button fly. A few cute all-over prints make it easy to pick a favorite style.

L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas

L.L.Bean Scotch Plaid Flannel Pajamas Made from premium durable Portuguese cotton flannel, this set is brushed for ultrasoft warmth without overheating. Pull-on pants have an adjustable elastic waist and on-seam pockets, while the yarn-dyed fabric stays vibrant wash after wash for lasting comfort. L.L.Bean’s exclusive flannel is a classic that will last you a long time. They have one for men as well.

L.L.Bean Women’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Nightgown

L.L.Bean Women’s Scotch Plaid Flannel Nightgown L.L.Bean also makes this in a nightgown version. The relaxed fit falls to the ankle and features an extra-long button-front placket, collarless neckline, buttoned cuffs, and on-seam pockets. Now you can have your classic tartan in different styles.

Hanna Andersson HannaJams™ Pajama Set

Hanna Andersson HannaJams™ Pajama Set Made from 100% organic combed cotton rib knit, this kids’ set from Hanna Andersson is soft, hypoallergenic, and eczema-friendly. It features flatlock seams to prevent irritation, and comes in a variety of fun all-over prints. They make tons of fun designs for kids and offer family matching sets. OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and GOTS certified.

Quince 100% European Linen Pajama Set

Quince 100% European Linen Pajama Set Crafted from 100% European flax linen, this dolman-sleeve set is breathable, lightweight, and naturally temperature regulating. The pants have an elastic waist and side pockets, and the deliberately rumpled look gives it a relaxed, effortless feel. The fabric is OEKO-TEX certified and eco-friendly.

Quince 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Pajama Set with Piping

Quince 100% European Linen Long Sleeve Pajama Set with Piping Made from soft, breathable European linen, this long sleeve set is lightweight, durable, and naturally temperature regulating year-round. The button-front top features a chest pocket, while the elastic-waist pants have functional pockets and contrast piping for a classic look. OEKO-TEX certified and sustainably sourced.

However, they are considered semi-synthetic because they must be chemically processed into a liquid to form fibers. Despite this, it is still popular for its breathable and soft qualities.

Dagsmejan Nattwell Sleep Tech T-Shirt

Dagsmejan Nattwell Sleep Tech T-Shirt Made from sustainably sourced beechwood, this modal sleep shirt is designed to be more breathable, softer, and better at moisture management than cotton. Flat seam placement and a tagless design help prevent irritation during sleep. The fabric is made in Europe and is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified.

Lake DreamModal™ Kimono Pajama Set

Lake DreamModal™ Kimono Pajama Set Lake’s kimono style modal pajama set has a relaxed drape and wide fit that’s easy to wear for sleeping or lounging. The wrap style also makes it a convenient option for pregnant or nursing women, and it’s one of the brand’s best selling styles. They also offer maternity versions, as well as matching options for men and kids.

Eberjey Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set

Eberjey Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set Often considered the brand’s signature pajama set, the Gisele is made from ultra soft TENCEL modal. It features a button front top with contrast piping and relaxed straight leg pants, and comes in a wide range of color options. The fabric is verified OEKO-TEX® Standard 100.

Old Navy Sunday Sleep Knit Jersey Short Set

Old Navy Sunday Sleep Knit Jersey Short Set For a more affordable option, Old Navy makes great pajamas sets. This one is made from soft modal jersey with a comfortable stretch. It also comes in regular, tall, and petite sizes, which makes it easier to find the right fit compared to other brands.

$45 at Old Navy (Price at Time of Publishing)

Cozy Earth Women’s Bamboo Stretch-Knit Short Sleeve Pajama Set

Cozy Earth Women’s Bamboo Stretch-Knit Short Sleeve Pajama Set Made from bamboo viscose with a bit of stretch, this pajama set has a soft drape that feels lightweight while still resisting bunching during sleep. The short sleeve top and relaxed shorts include side pockets for convenience, and the style has even been featured in Better Homes & Gardens.

Bamboo Short Sleeve Capri Pajama Set

Bamboo Short Sleeve Capri Pajama Set Designed for hot sleepers, this bamboo viscose pajama set is breathable and moisture wicking to help regulate body temperature during the night. The soft stretch fabric is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified and includes a tag free neckline and relaxed capri pants for comfortable everyday sleepwear.

Kyte Baby Zipper Bamboo Footie

Kyte Baby Zipper Bamboo Footie These baby footie pajamas are made from soft bamboo rayon that feels gentle on the skin. The design features a dual zipper for easy changes, fold over cuffs on smaller sizes to prevent scratching, and sole grips on larger sizes once babies begin to stand and walk.

Nowadays, many brands offer machine washable silk pajamas. Here are a few:

Lunya Washable Silk Tulip Back Set

Lunya Washable Silk Tulip Back Set Made from 100% washable mulberry silk, this set is lightweight and naturally thermoregulating for warm sleepers. The tulip racerback top and matching bottoms have a flowy shape and tulip hem that moves easily with different sleep positions.

Lunya Washable Silk High Rise Pant Set

Lunya Washable Silk High Rise Pant Set This set is made from 100% washable mulberry silk with natural thermoregulating properties. The high rise pants have an elastic waistband with silicone grippers to keep them in place, plus side slits and pockets for comfort and ease of movement.

Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Printed Long PJ Set

Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Printed Long PJ Set For those interested in prints, Eberjey has many to choose from. The 100% mulberry silk fabric is processed using bluesign certified methods and is OEKO-TEX Standard 100 verified, and the set features a relaxed button up top with a notch collar and high rise straight leg pants.

Petite Plume Women’s Silk Pajama Set in Panthère de Luxe

Petite Plume Women’s Silk Pajama Set in Panthère de Luxe Petite Plume’s bestselling Mulberry silk set features a playful panther print with contrast piping. The classic pajama silhouette includes an elastic waistband, breast pocket, cuffed pants, and practical pockets. Petite Plume offers luxury pajamas for the whole family, all made from natural fibers, with timeless patterns and select styles available for monogramming.

A common guideline is to wash pajamas after 3–4 wears, however if you are a hot or sweaty sleeper, you may like to wash them more frequently.

On the other hand, if you shower before bed and keep your sheets clean, you can make it last longer between washes.

Good sleep is important for overall health. Research has linked poor sleep to problems such as fatigue, mood changes, and reduced concentration during the day.

Choosing comfortable sleepwear may seem like a small detail, but it can contribute to a better sleep environment.