Given we spend a third of our lives sleeping, or trying to, having a decent selection of nightwear just makes sense. As an inveterate introvert and someone who mostly works from home, I spend an inordinate amount of time in pyjamas – to the extent that I recently opened the door to my postman in jeans, only for him to remark, as though witnessing the second coming: “You’re dressed.”
So, if I’m an expert in anything, it’s pyjamas. In a bid to navigate the dark, cold winter months, I’ve rounded up 24 of the best, from cosy to silky, utilitarian to fancy. Forget all the talk of party season: these are the PJs worth cancelling plans for.
***
The best pyjamas for women in 2025
***
Best long pyjamas
- :
- :
Boden Henley pyjama top
£39 at BodenBoden brushed cotton pyjama trousers
£49 at BodenIf you’re craving colour to get you through winter, try it with something you’ll definitely wear again and again: a good pair of PJs. This brushed cotton Boden pair is sunny enough to take the sting out of the dark mornings.
- :
Gap leopard print pyjama top
£30 at Gap £30 at NextGap pyjama bottoms
£20 at Gap £20 at NextIf you tend to get too hot at night, you can’t go wrong with pure cotton. Synthetic fibres, such as polyester or acrylic, can trap heat, but a light cotton is breathable, kind to sensitive skin and durable (be wary of heavier weaves, though, as these can absorb moisture if you tend to sweat a lot). Cut from a crisp cotton poplin, this leopard print pair of jammies will put you in the running for best dressed overnight guest.
John Lewis pointelle knit pyjama set
£36 at John LewisJust looking at this pair of pointelle cotton pyjamas makes me want to buy an ice-roller and become one of those women who make an art out of their four-hour night-time routine. Made from a soft cotton jersey, they’re cut with a wide leg for optimum comfort when lounging on the sofa.
***
Best short pyjamas
M&S striped shortie set with eye mask
£16 at M&SIf there’s anything Marks & Spencer does well, it’s reasonably priced nightwear. This adorable striped cotton shorts set with a matching eye mask is a favourite. The T-shirt has just the right amount of slouch, the waistband of the shorts is helpfully elasticated, and the eye mask – while, yes, verging on silly – is also cute. I’ve just bought them as a birthday gift for a friend.
Next short pyjama set
£28 at NextThere’s something so inherently cosy about a waffle-texture fabric. This rich brown shorts set looks much more expensive than its £28 price tag, and could plausibly pass for a co-ord in the summer, should you feel brave enough to wear it to the shops.
Speltham unisex boxer shorts
£35 at SpelthamFor those craving the halcyon days of thigh guy summer (or those with good taste and ready access to a thermostat), a breezy pair of boxer shorts is a good way to go if long pyjama bottoms annoy you in bed. Speltham’s cotton poplin ones are handmade in London, and nice enough to wear outside once the summer rolls around.
***
Best traditional pyjamas
Chelsea Peers gingham pyjama set
£59 at Chelsea Peers £59 at M&SIs it a pair of pyjamas, or is it a cosy little house suit that will make you feel like you’re living in a catalogue while you pootle about on a Sunday morning? The polish – and the price tag – of this pair of traditional PJs from Chelsea Peers suggests the latter. Cut from a colourful gingham organic cotton, the patch pockets and piping give bedtime added pizazz.
Benetton flannel tartan pyjamas
£69.95 at BennettonI’m all for a good ScotchTape tartan at Christmas, but this camel pair of PJs from Benetton is rendered in a check that’s a little more subtle. Crucially, they have pockets (for hoarding Quality Street wrappers) and an elasticated waist (for when you’ve eaten too many).
Uniqlo flannel pyjamas
£34.90 at UniqloUniqlo pyjamas feel high-quality without costing an arm and a leg. I bought this pair for a weekend away a few months ago, and so far, they wash beautifully, fit comfortably and do a great job of helping me look semi put together even with a raging hangover. (At least I think they do, and that’s what counts.)
***
Best cami-top pyjamas
The White Company cami pyjama set
£70 at the White CompanyThe White Company does great grownup pyjama sets, including this lace-trimmed, stretchy jersey pair cut from a viscose-elastane mix. The full-length trousers are suitably billowy, and the cami top has adjustable straps, so it won’t slide down in the night.
Zara lace cotton top
£23.99 at ZaraZara lace cotton shorts
£29.99 at ZaraI’ve found that Zara can be a bit hit and miss with pyjamas (the brand really will try to convince you a 100% wool vest is comfortable for sleeping in), but its homeware offshoot has some lovely sets. These lace-trimmed cotton top and shorts are a case in point. They’re not the cosiest, but they do have a chic south of France thing going on. There’s a full-length trouser option for cooler nights.
Cyberjammies hidden support pyjama set
£48 at CyberjammiesWhere many camisole pyjama sets leave women with bigger boobs out in the cold, this clean-cut pair from Cyberjammies has a built-in support panel and wide, adjustable straps for added comfort and support. The brand also offers a wide range of sizes, from a UK 6 to a 28.
***
Best silky pyjamas
John Lewis piped silk pyjama set
£150 at John LewisIf your budget doesn’t quite stretch to a pair of £600 Olivia Von Halle’s (sadly, the British designer’s M&S collaboration has now been well and truly plundered), but you want something fancier, check out the White Company, John Lewis and Mango for 100% silk sets. This light blue pair with white piping from John Lewis is so very bougie. Take care of them (like most silk pyjamas, they’re hand-wash only) and they’ll see you through many winters.
Truly silk pyjama set
£170 at Truly £170 at John LewisMoisture wicking and insulating, silk can also act as a natural temperature regulator, making it a fabric for all seasons. The weight of the silk is measured in momme – anything below 15 momme is considered lightweight, think scarves and semi-sheer blouses. These minimalist, straight-leg PJs are cut from a 16 momme silk, so they’re breathable without being too flimsy. They can be monogrammed (up to seven characters) if you want to feel extra fancy.
Their Nibs satin pyjamas
£40 at Their NibsIf you’re after that slinky, luxury vibe without the eye-watering price, satin is a good way to go. Cut from recycled polyester satin, these ¾ length jammies from Their Nibs look the part. Plus, the cropped length means you won’t saturate your sleeve in water every time you do a night-time cleanse.
***
Best cotton pyjamas
Toast forte flannel pyjamas
£139 at ToastToast is brilliant at loungewear. With pieces cut from premium yarns that are built to last, the brand prioritises comfort and practicality without compromising on design. The price of this brushed cotton set may seem steep, but never underestimate the depth of a panicked gift-giver’s pockets. I’m putting them on my Christmas list and hoping for the best.
Lucy & Yak brushed cotton pyjama set
£69 at Lucy & YakYorkshire-founded Lucy & Yak is best known for its maximalist dungarees, but its nightwear is just as eye-catching, and ethically made to boot. I have my eye on these brushed cotton patchwork PJs with deep pockets and full-length sleeves.
Muji double-gauze pyjama set
£39.95 at MujiFrom stationery to scent diffusers, Japanese lifestyle brand Muji has a wide reach. These double-gauze pyjamas might be too simple if you prefer a print, but putting on the soft, textured cotton is like cocooning yourself in a cloud. If I could only wear one pair of pyjamas for the rest of my life, it would be these.
***
Best nighties
Mango silk nightdress
£109.99 at MangoI was delighted about the great nightie renaissance of summer 2025 (led in part by Megan Stalter in Lena Dunham’s Netflix debut, Too Much), so it’s nice to see the high street is still riding the wave. This contrasting lace Mango number – made from silk – may not be the most practical sleepwear solution on this list, but who said it’s for sleeping?
La Redoute muslin nightdress
£39.99 at La RedouteSometimes nighties can have too many frills to feel comfortable. This grandad collar muslin nightdress is a chic and simple alternative.
M&S Autograph striped nightshirt
£22.40 at M&SElevate the classic nightwear combo of “big T-shirt and pants” with a nightshirt: comfortable, breezy and more dignified when you’re woken by a delivery driver banging on your door on a Sunday morning. This navy striped cotton shirt from M&S’s Autograph range gets my vote.
***
Too-nice-to-wear-to-bed pyjamas
TBCo cotton pyjamas
£76 at Anthropologie £109 at TBCoI recently saw a woman wearing these in a coffee shop with a long puffer jacket and a pair of camel Birkenstock Boston clogs. “What a nice little co-ord for a Sunday morning,” I thought. When I saw them online a few days later, I realised they were pyjamas. I’m not sure how I feel about wearing a £100 Peter Pan collar blouse to bed, but I can assure you it looks chic when you’re ordering a cappuccino the next morning. (Bonus points: the PJs come with a matching bag and scrunchie.)
Damson Madder Florie ruffle pyjama set
£85 at Damson Madder £85 at Urban OutfittersYou’ll be relieved to learn that Damson Madder’s nightwear is as unabashedly flouncy as its daywear. This pair of striped pyjamas with ruffled hems, heart-shaped buttons and patch pockets is a case in point. A lovely gift idea for teens.
Hay contrast-piping pyjama shirt
£62 at End £105 at SelfridgesHay contrast-piping pyjama trousers
£99 at SelfridgesThe Danish brand Hay isn’t just known for its tasteful-but-expensive homeware. It also does tasteful-but-expensive pyjamas, too. Created in collaboration with Danish designer Tilde Bjerregaard, this cotton set with contrast piping and double button detailing could feasibly be worn out and about as relaxed separates, or together, in the chicest sleepwear combo of all time.
For more ways to get cosy with the Filter, read the best electric blankets
***
Kate McCusker is a features writer, covering everything from housing to lifestyle trends. Before joining the Guardian as part of its 2023 Scott Trust Bursary cohort, she wrote about design, fashion and lifestyle for publications including Dezeen and Marie Claire. If she loves clothes a silly amount, she loves pyjamas – or house clothes, as she prefers to call them – even more
* * *
Don’t buy anything until you’ve read the Filter, the Guardian’s home for truly independent product reviews and recommendations. Whether you’re after rigorous tests or shopping inspo, affordable gifts or advice on how to make your belongings last longer, we’re here to help you make smarter, more sustainable choices.
The Filter is packed with trustworthy buying advice on everything from coffee machines to hiking boots, mascara to secateurs. So visit us today and start buying better and smarter, and wasting less.
Explore The Filter
