What to Wear to Bed

6 Min Read | By Shannan Humphrey

Last Modified 3 September 2024   First Added 26 November 2021

This article was written and reviewed in line with our editorial policy.

Being comfy at night is key to getting a good night’s sleep, so what should you wear to bed? Whether you choose to wear pyjamas, a comfy t-shirt, or sleep in only your underwear, if you tossing and turning at night, you could be wearing the wrong thing to bed. Let’s learn about what you should be wearing to bed.

What you should wear for a good night’s sleep

There are lots of types of things you can wear to bed. Everyone sleeps differently and wears different things to bed. But here are some things to consider when you dress for bed to get the utmost comfort and to keep you from being cold at night.

Types of pyjamas:

  • Joggers and T-shirts
  • Shorts and tank tops
  • Nightgowns
  • Oversized shirts
  • Boxers/underwear
  • Onesies

Types of fabrics you should wear

No matter what you choose to wear (or not wear), pyjamas come in a variety of different fabrics, which can impact your night’s sleep.

  • Cotton: Cotton is breathable and an all-natural fabric, which is naturally cooling. Which means it’s perfect for those warmer nights. But if you’re prone to night sweats, cotton can lock in moisture, keeping you uncomfortable
  • Silk: Wearing silk to bed will feel as though you’re sleeping in luxury, it is soft and comfy and will keep your body temperature at the perfect range. Meaning you won’t get too hot or too cold.
  • Linen: Wearing linen at night is super soft and breathable for your skin, and unlike cotton, linen is great for those who get hot at night as it draws moisture and keeps you cool at night. However, a con here is that linen is more expensive than cotton.
  • Wool: Perfect for those cold winter nights, woollen pyjamas will keep you warm and cosy and also keep you from overheating as they have natural wicking properties.
  • Flannel: A great option for colder nights as it keeps you warm and is soft and breathable. But because flannel will make you cosy, it might be too hot for those who get hot during the night.
  • Bamboo: Wearing bamboo pyjamas will make you all soft and cosy at night, and it’s a plus that it’s naturally hypoallergenic and has antibacterial properties.

Of course, the best sleepwear for you all depends on multiple factors, such as your ideal room temperature. Some people fall asleep best when it’s cold and others like to feel all warm and cosy. Most people sleep best in a warm bed but in a cold room.

What you shouldn’t wear to bed

Although there’s a wide range of things you can wear to bed, it’s all up to personal preferences at the end of the day. If you aren’t comfortable in bed, you may need to avoid wearing certain clothing items. Here’s what you should avoid wearing to bed.

1. Tight clothes

This one might be obvious, but wearing clothes that are too tight to bed can be uncomfortable and can cut off your circulation during the night. The same can be said for pyjamas that have elastic that is too tight, which can cause soreness. Stick with loose-fitting clothing and let your body be comfortable and be able to breathe while you sleep.

2. Buttons

This goes along with any buttons, snaps, tags, or buckles on your clothing. If you’ve worn something that digs into your skin, it can be uncomfortable after a while. And I don’t know about anyone else, but I hate waking up with lines on my skin. The same can be said with tags, they’re so itchy and annoying, which can cause you to wake up in the night. I end up cutting my tags out!

3. Underwear

Have you ever heard about letting your body breathe? Well it’s true, sleeping without underwear can be comfortable but also is better for your hygiene. Wearing underwear to bed can cause you to sweat, which can cause irritation and infections. So, let your body breathe and consider going commando, if you’re not comfortable opt for cotton undies.

4. Bras

Whether you wear a bra at night or not, it is best to ditch it. Bras can be restricting, and it can be uncomfortable to sleep in. Especially if you’re wearing a tight-fitting bra, it can cause discomfort and press into your skin, giving you marks and indentations. Not only that, it can put unnecessary pressure on your chest, especially if you wear an underwired bra. So ditch the bra during the night. If you want, opt for a bralette or a breathable, comfortable sports bra to sleep in instead.

5. Makeup

Although not clothes-related, you should never go to sleep with makeup on. Going to bed without removing your makeup means it can stain your pillowcases and also affect your sleep as it isn’t comfortable sleeping and waking up in the middle of the night with your eyelashes stuck together. Not to mention it can clog your pores and irritate your skin.

6. Dirty pyjamas

Lastly, you need to avoid wearing dirty pyjamas or sleeping in dirty bedding. Sleeping in a dirty environment or not cleaning what you wear regularly can affect your sleep quality as it can irritate your skin during the night. So make sure to wash your bedding and make sure not only watch what you wear but how often.

 

Related:  The Best Summer Duvets to Keep You Cool

Should I wear socks to bed?

This all depends on personal preference and what you find to be the most comfortable, and how you best fall asleep. I sometimes sleep with socks on if I’m too cold but find I take them off through the night as I get too hot.

But there is a range of benefits to wearing socks to bed, including increasing your blood circulation. Which in turn can help your body regulate temperature and keep you cool at night. For more information and to read the full answer, check out our post on Why You Should Consider Wearing Socks To Bed.

Should I sleep naked?

Nearly a fifth of people sleep naked or wear barely anything at all, and research shows that sleeping naked has many benefits.

Sleeping naked can make you cooler at night, meaning that you will fall asleep faster and get better quality sleep as well.

Some more benefits of sleeping naked are that keeping your body healthier and younger, and you might even lose some weight by keeping cooler at night. If you sleep with your partner, sleeping naked can also increase your confidence, and having that skin-to-skin contact can help bring you closer to your loved one. To help you sleep better, try sleeping with separate bedding with your partner, this allows you both to keep nice and warm during the night.

Of course, whether you sleep in the nude or with clothes is up to you. At the end of the day, what you wear is all about what you like to feel comfortable in. But hopefully, if you are tossing and turning, this will help you find the perfect pyjamas for a great night’s sleep.

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