Men’s sleepwear has changed radically: pulling on a pair of stripe pyjamas can feel as quaint as having the milk delivered and conjures up images of Morecambe and Wise tucked up in neatly pressed PJs.
But among the more modern loungewear sets there’s still space for traditional PJs, especially as we head into colder nights. Here’s my edit of the perfect styles to suit all budgets and tastes, for sleeping, napping, lounging and even popping to get a newspaper to curl up back in bed with.
Best pyjamas for comfort
David Gandy Wellwear set, £90
Having spent years as the face of M&S and Dolce & Gabbana’s underwear ranges, there’s not much Mr Gandy doesn’t know about the pants business. He’s extended that knowhow to loungewear and pyjamas. His brand’s Trustpilot ratings are full of glowing reviews about fit, quality and comfort (indeed my own in-house tester, who is a particularly harsh critic on basics, found the T-shirts very comfortable, and they wash well).
Best independent brand
Insiders Clothing shirt, £65, trousers £55
insidersclothing.com
insidersclothing.com
Insiders was founded in the 2020 lockdown, when most of us were working from home and making our lounge our office. The brand set out to bridge the gap between hoodies and joggers and more stylish casual wear with a utilitarian feel. Its shirts are designed to be worn both in and out of the home, and the short-sleeve short sets double as beachwear. The clothing is made using natural fibres, surplus fabrics from mills and sustainably sourced organic cotton.
Best high street set
River Island T-shirt and short pyjamas, £28
Men’s sleepwear is often more about having something comfy to put on to go to the kitchen, or open the door for a delivery, than for sleeping in – and indoor shorts tick that box nicely. River Island’s set in pale pink waffle jersey is a refreshing break from the navy, grey and black that dominates this genre, and it won’t break the bank. This loungewear is also available in a pale mint green trouser set version.
Best luxury underwear set
CDLP T-shirt, £80, and trunks, £32
Feeling too hot in pyjamas is a common complaint, hence underwear being the number one sleep attire for many men. CDLP’s trunk-style underpants are made from a soft, breathable jersey that’s derived from renewable wood sources and has natural moisture-wicking properties. The matching crew neck T-shirt is made from a blend of the same jersey and pima cotton for silk-like softness. It’s worth noting that these items are hard-wearing but there may be some fading over time.
Best for traditionalists
Tekla organic cotton pyjama bottoms, £140
One man’s old fashioned is another’s Instagram fodder. Tekla is the PJ brand of choice for the style set. Its 100% organic cotton poplin weave bottoms come in 10 stripe options, including a soft yellow and six blues of varying shades and stripe widths, to satisfy even the fussiest pyjama connoisseur. Its matching long or short sleeve shirts are also available in a further 13 solid colours, including black. Sizing is unisex, with an oversized straight-leg fit. Special mention also to the roomy nightshirts.
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Best for lounging
The White Company organic cotton and cashmere hoodie, £98, joggers, £98
thewhitecompany.com
thewhitecompany.com
If you’re looking for something to pull on once you get up rather than something to sleep in, the White Company’s organic cotton and cashmere blend joggers are a cosy option for a day on the sofa. Wear them with the matching hoodie and you can even venture outside without raising any eyebrows. The 5% cashmere mix makes for a super-soft feel, but fear not – you can still chuck these in the washing machine.
Best novelty pyjamas (but make it chic)
Marks & Spencer printed set, £35
Novelty PJs really come into their own in Q4. If those in your household are fans of the matching festive pyjamas look, encourage them towards a more sustainable choice that doesn’t feature reindeer or snowmen for year-long wear. Good old M&S has a host of fun prints for the whole family, including an eye-catching zebra and cheetah design or, for those of us who don’t want to spoil the fun but aren’t bringing main character energy, there’s a cheery candy stripe option. Sizing runs from small to 2XL.
Best bodywear
Ché Studios vest, £30, trunks, £45 for pack of 3
chestudios.co.uk
chestudios.co.uk
Here’s another underwear-focused option for the PJ naysayers. Ché Studios’ bodywear line is made from a wood-pulp and bio-based fabric for a soft finish. It features two cuts of pants: briefs and trunks, plus classic T-shirts and vests. The size range is an inclusive XS-XXL.
Best ethical buy
Komodo organic cotton jim jam set, £75
If you feel the chill but don’t want to put the heating on just yet, brushed organic cotton is the way to go. Komodo has been championing ethical fashion choices since 1988, and the brand uses only ethically manufactured eco and natural fibres. The pants in this bundle are also sold individually (£43), so no half-worn sets necessary.
