I’m calling it, it’s officially cold enough for it to be acceptable to wear your best pyjamas and watch Netflix on repeat all weekend.
A year of lockdown has meant brands have worked hard on cool and innovative PJ designs, and we’re still reaping the rewards this season – gone are the days of the humble button-down shirt.
As we transition fully into autumn trends, we’re seeing a lot of chic oversized pyjamas in bold tones and prints and rich jewel hues, which you can easily dress up or down depending on your plans for the day. Cult brand Sleeper have always been great at serving up co-ords that simply need a pair of heels to feel put-together.
If you’re feeling decadent, and after all, this isn’t an investment you’ll regret, there are plenty of designer sleepwear options out there. Head to my favourites Desmond & Dempsey, Three Graces, Agent Provocateur, Olivia Von Halle and La Perla, where you’ll find everything from luxurious lace-trimmed silk slips to short linen suits.
That said, there are plenty of budget-friendly and just-as-chic styles on the high-street, from Rosie Huntington-Whiteley’s range for M&S, to Zara Home’s neutral cotton gowns and striped pyjamas.
Sustainable sleepwear
If you’re looking to add more sustainable clothing brands to your wardrobe, then there’s no reason to stop at pyjamas. The key is to do your research on the fabric, prioritising those that are as natural as possible so they will stand the test of time, but also avoiding blends that aren’t easily recyclable.
For example, 100% cotton or 100% recycled polyester can be recycled, but a blend of both can’t be, for the moment at least. It’s also worth looking at how ethical the fabrics are.
Companies such as Nightire and Luna & Noon use vegan silk rather than silk derived from silk worms, and if cotton or linen are your preference, make sure the fabrics are certified fairtrade and organic, so you know that workers are treated fairly. You can usually find this information on the product page or on the ‘about us’ page online, though you can always call Customer Service for more information.
Here’s an edit of the best pyjamas to shop now.
Organic Peace Silk Pyjama Set in Hazelnut, £495 at Ethical Kind
Ethical Kind's timeless collection of natural silk PJs, camisole sets, kimono gowns, slips, pillowcases, and accessories is ethically crafted from non-violent 100% Organic Peace Silk. The fabric is made using a biological and cruelty-free process to rear silk cocoons and practice regenerative agriculture methods, a chemical-free crop rotation method that promotes biodiversity and restores the balance of nutrients in the soil in the remote regions in Jharkhand, India.
EBERJEY Charlie Pima cotton-jersey jumpsuit, £130 at Net-A-Porter
Made from the label's signature Pima cotton-jersey, this jumpsuit has a relaxed fit, slim straps and cropped wide legs.
Alya Long Sleeve Night Dress, £150 at RIXO
Part of Rixo's new sleepwear collection, the Alya features a gorgeous constellation print and an embroidered pie crust collar.
Marika Sleep Set, £190 at GAÂLA
This soft, elegant pyjama set features a charming shirt collar framed by subtle button detail and a chest pocket, cut in luxurious striped silk.
Gaâla personally handpicks a variety of cotton, viscose, silk and wool fabrics leftover by Italian fashion houses and procure deadstock linen in Belarus, where linen has been the primary fabric for centuries. It sources some of the world’s finest silks from surplus stock.
SLEEPER Feather-trimmed crepe de chine pyjama set, £245 at Net-A-Porter
Sleeper's nightwear-turned-partywear takes cues from classic vintage styles. Made from lightweight crepe de chine, this pyjama set includes a mint shirt with tonal piping and fastens with mother-of-pearl buttons. The matching pants have an elasticated waist and signature feathers at the hem.
LA PERLA Silk-satin nightdress, £220 at Net-A-Porter
La Perla's nightdress is made from smooth silk-satin that drapes languidly over your frame. It has slim adjustable shoulder straps and a generous back vent for added comfort.
Rosie Satin Pyjama Set, £35 at M&S
Crafted in soft satin, this Rosie Exclusively for M&S pyjama set will make an elegant addition to your sleepwear collection. The set is cut to a comfy regular shape and features a vintage-inspired jacquard print.
Emily dress, £199 at If Only If
The inclusive brand (it offers sizes 6-24) is a small family business who believe in creating seasonless, timeless and consciously made designs for every generation of women. Founded by Issy Falkner in 2014, and subsequently relaunched and rebranded in October 2020 by her daughter Emily Campbell, If Only If use 100% natural, breathable materials in their nightwear not only to ensure a comfortable night's sleep but also because of its sustainable, bio-degradable nature.
Made of 100% pure silk, the Emily is the most elegant cut nightdress with lace trim to the bodice in the option of Pearl Grey, Ivory or a limited edition Butter Yellow. Pandora Sykes is a fan.
QUILTED GILET, £29.99 at Zara Home
This cute gilet can be worn on its own with matching shorts, or layered over a nightdress or pyjamas for extra warmth.
Cotton jersey pyjamas, £19.99 at H&M
Sometimes, simple is best, and you can't go wrong with this cotton jersey t-shirt and matching shorts from H&M.
DESMOND & DEMPSEY Printed cotton-voile pyjama set, £120
Inspired by the tropical landscape of Madagascar, Desmond & Dempsey's pajama set is printed with illustrated ravenala palms and lemurs. It's cut from lightweight cotton-voile and includes a short-sleeved, collared shirt and elasticated drawstring shorts.
HANRO Natural Comfort Tencel pyjama set, £138 at MATCHESFASHION
Hanro's navy Natural Comfort pyjama set is crafted from breathable Tencel lyocell, a sustainably sourced fibre that reflects the label's environmentally conscious ethos.
Sleeping with Jacques Lace Detail Silk Pyjama Trousers, £220 at Browns
These black Sleeping with Jacques lace detail silk pyjama trousers feature an elasticated waist and flared cuff hems with lace detailing. I love this label for elegant sleepwear that can be worn during the day too.
THE SLEEP SHIRT White linen nightdress, £175 at Harvey Nichols
The Sleep Shirt strikes the balance between pretty and practical sleepwear for this white nightdress. This sleeveless loose style is made from breathable linen that’s not too sheer and features drawstrings at the neckline and back waist that create a sweet ruffled trim.
Alexa Ruffle Cami, £95 at dora larsen
The designer's sleepwear collection is too pretty to just wear to bed.
Laranja Vegan Silk pyjamas, £160 at LUNA & NOON
Taking colour inspiration from Guarana, an orange and white fruit native to Rio; this vegan silk set will have you dreaming of your next getaway.
