There’s something about the first properly cold evening of the year that makes me regress into a creature of pure hibernation.
Forget rooftop bars or brisk autumn walks, suddenly the only destination I’m interested in is my sofa, preferably accompanied by a hot chocolate and the smug glow of having timed my Deliveroo order perfectly. Central to this ritual? A really, really good pair of pyjamas.
PJs are no longer the sad, saggy afterthought they once were (I’m looking at you, old Ski Trip T-shirt and baggy trackies). In fact, the best sets today are more of a style statement than half the clothes hanging in my actual wardrobe.
From crisp cotton two-pieces that channel chic hotel dressing gowns and slinky silks that wouldn’t look out of place at a dinner party (if you’re brave enough), to soft jersey co-ords that feel like a hug – pyjamas are now a legitimate category worth investing in.
The trick is finding a set that balances comfort with aesthetic. Too flimsy, and you’ll be layering up like a ski instructor by 9pm. Too thick, and suddenly you’re wide awake at 3am with hot flashes.
The sweet spot involves breathable fabrics like cotton, bamboo and silk blends that keep you cosy but never clammy. Bonus points for details like wide-leg trousers that drape beautifully, or piping that gives you that faintly retro feeling.
I’ve road-tested plenty (in the name of journalism, of course), from crisp cotton button-downs that made me feel vaguely Parisian to fleecy sets so soft I considered cancelling plans indefinitely. Let me confirm: the right pair of PJs can genuinely shift your mood. They’re not just sleepwear, they’re self-care; the sartorial equivalent of lighting a candle and crawling into a hot bath after a long day.
So, whether you want pyjamas polished enough for Christmas morning photos, or soft jersey ones that even make doom scrolling feel indulgent, here’s my pick of the sets worth snapping up before cosy season properly takes hold.
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Fable England Floral Engravings Pyjamas
So good that I have three pairs and counting, Fable England are my top pick for cosy season PJs that are sumptuously soft, breathable and available in a myriad of whimsical, autumn-ready designs. They’ve transformed my morning and evening rituals tenfold, making my weekend coffees feel like the beginning of a rom com. They’re crafted from 100 per cent viscose, and somehow get softer with every wash.
Buy now £74.00, Fable England
Chelsea Peers Enchanted Glade Print Button Up Long Pyjamas
Another absolute winner, if you’re yet to try a pair of ultra-soft and stylish pyjamas from Chelsea Peers, you’re in for a treat. This set from the brand’s latest autumn/winter collection feels like something out of a fairy-tale. I’m head over heels for the easy breezy three-quarter length sleeves paired with a 70s-style bell-bottomed trouser silhouette. They’re not wildly expensive but feel wonderfully luxurious, thanks to the 95 per cent recycled fibre jersey.
Buy now £45.00, Chelsea Peers
Elizabeth Scarlett Cotton Sateen Celestial Pyjamas
Woven from luxurious and premium 100 per cent cotton sateen, these celestial pyjamas from Elizabeth Scarlett are a staple in my weekly PJ rotation. Unbeatably comfortable and always breathable, I’m yet to wake up in a hot sweat while sporting these – and I’ve been known to wear them during the warmer months too.
Buy now £75.00, Elizabeth Scarlett
TBCo Cotton & Linen Pyjamas Green
Known for their beautiful blankets and scarves, TBCo has mastered the art of sleepwear too. This set is crafted from a lightweight blend of cotton and linen, making it naturally breathable and perfectly suited to those who overheat at night. The relaxed tailoring feels elevated but not fussy, and I love the fresh green shade and the slightly cropped finish on both the trousers and the shirt.
Buy now £95.00, TBCo
Desmond and Dempsey Boxy Shirt and Wide Leg Trouser Set Loxodonta Print Blue
Desmond and Dempsey’s painterly prints are practically collectable, and this Loxodonta elephant motif is no exception. Made from crisp organic cotton, the set combines a boxy shirt with dramatic wide-leg trousers that feel part sleepwear, part statement loungewear. They’re the kind of PJs you might find yourself styling with actual loafers for a quick corner-shop run – and honestly, no one would question it.
Buy now £180.00, Desmond and Dempsey
Eberjey Gisele Printed TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set
Eberjey has built a cult following for sleepwear that’s as indulgent as it is practical. The Gisele set is cut from TENCEL™ Modal, a fabric spun from sustainably sourced fibres that feels cool, silky, and feather-light on skin. Finished with contrasting piping and a slightly relaxed fit, it has that hotel-room glamour without sacrificing curl-on-the-sofa comfort. One of those sets you’ll want to wear well past your morning alarm.
Buy now £170.00, Eberjey
Liberty Elysian Paradise Tana Lawn™ Cotton Pyjama Set
Liberty’s iconic Tana Lawn print cotton is the stuff of legend – ultra-fine, breathable, and printed with iconic florals. This set feels like the Rolls Royce of PJs: exquisitely cut with a classic button-through shirt and straight-leg trousers, wrapped in a paradise garden print that’s almost too pretty to sleep in. Yes, they’re an investment, but if any pyjamas can claim heirloom status, it’s these.
Buy now £225.00, Liberty
SKIMS Oversized Striped Cotton Pyjamas Set
Leave it to SKIMS to make pyjamas feel like streetwear. This set is cut from crisp cotton poplin with a deliberately oversized fit that’s both laidback and impossibly chic. The vertical stripes add polish, while the loose shirt and wide trousers practically beg to be styled with a slick bun and gold hoops. Ideal if your vibe is rolled out of bed but still editorial.
Buy now £138.00, Selfridges
Paul Smith Cotton Signature Stripe Pyjama Set
Technically menswear, but when has that ever stopped us? Paul Smith’s signature rainbow stripe gets the full PJ treatment here in lightweight cotton poplin. The cut is boxy and relaxed, with traditional button-down shirt and drawstring trousers – easy to borrow from the boys while still feeling entirely your own. They’re heritage, they’re timeless, and they’re guaranteed to brighten even the greyest of mornings.
Buy now £290.00, Harrods
M&S Pure Cotton Cambric Slub Floral Shortie Set
M&S remains the nation’s unsung hero of sleepwear, and their pyjamas are the ultimate no-brainer buy. Expect breathable cotton blends, classic tailoring, and price points that make it very tempting to buy two (or three) sets at once. Perfect for those who want comfort and reliability without forking out Liberty-level sums. A high-street classic that proves not everything cosy has to cost a fortune. I’m obsessed with this rose-print shortie set, which is great for hot sleepers no matter the weather.
Buy now £28.00, M&S
Dairy Boy Garden Bed Sleep Set
The hottest new pyjamas to hit the sleepwear scene, this silky soft garden bed set features a slightly cropped button-down shirt for easy, breezy comfort – perfect for those with shorter torsos. Each set features an adorable, cross-stitched vegetable to match the colour scheme, as well as a very en vogue exposed label at the waistband.
Buy now £74.00, Dairy Boy
Daydress Classic Pyjamas in Chequers
Hand-block printed in Jaipur, Daydress pyjamas are a work of art you can actually sleep in. The Chequers set features a timeless blue and white check in soft, breathable cotton, finished with interspersed squares of terracotta and sand. The cut is roomy yet flattering, designed for all-night comfort and slow Sunday mornings.
Buy now £80.75, Daydress
