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What to wear to bed for a good sleep

Every fulfilling day begins with a blissful night's sleep. As you rest and recuperate, you may feel your skin against the cool sheets or recognise the sensation of warmth under a quilt on a summer’s day. You may feel the snug embrace of cosy pyjamas or the freedom of nothing at all, but the right sleeping clothes could shift your whole night. From breathable fabrics that caress your skin to a cocoon of cosy layers, what you wear to bed could help you enjoy a deeper, more restorative sleep.

Choosing the right sleeping clothes

The best nightwear delicately blends comfort and softness with easy movement. Whether you’re padding to the kitchen for your morning coffee, palms already warmed by the steaming mug, or you’re slowly sloping up to bed with a smile as your nightwear holds you close and your duvet invites you in, what you wear to bed can add a dash of luxury to every day.

Rest isn’t just a treat; it’s an essential, and to wake up as your best self each morning, you need to invest in your bedtime routine each night. What you wear to bed is a part of that, and breathable fabrics that don’t tie you down could be the key to an even better night’s sleep.

The sleep benefits of choosing well

The right sleeping clothes can do more than just offer a deeper, more restful sleep. They can also deliver all the benefits that come with it – including temperature regulation, reduced irritation, and a happier mindset, making every morning feel that little bit brighter.

Your bedroom is your sanctuary, and what you wear to sleep in has the power to unlock a new layer of tranquillity.

The best fabrics to wear to bed

The quality of your sleep doesn’t depend entirely on what you wear to bed, but adding some light, breathable sleepwear into your wardrobe could give you the sleep of your dreams.

Sink slowly into your mattress, embraced by breathable sheets, and feel yourself drift off or enjoy a Sunday morning lie-in wrapped in fine linen, with a coffee on the bedside table. Several fabrics can enhance that can enhance your comfort and sleep quality. Here are a few:

  • Cotton – This breathable, lightweight material is ideal for everyday comfort.
  • Silk – This has a smooth, luxurious feel and is excellent for regulating temperature.
  • Linen – On warmer nights, linen’s airy weightlessness is an obvious choice.
  • Modal – Soft, relaxing, and cosy, modal stays close from sunset to sunrise.

What do you wear to bed in different seasons?

As the seasons change, so too does our sleeping behaviour. The joy of descending into crisp, cool sheets is like no other, leaving you content in the knowledge that as you warm up, defying the temperature around your sanctuary of slumber, you won’t need to step out into the frosty winter cold for the rest of the day. Equally, you may have also felt the struggle of getting comfortable trying to sleep in the summer heat, too warm under your quilt but not warm enough lying on top of it.

What you wear to bed should change with the seasons so that your sleep can remain the same all year round:

  • Spring – Light layers that can be adjusted are best here, as spring can offer a mixture of temperatures.
  • Summer – The evening heat can be beaten with breathable, minimal layers to keep your body cool.
  • Autumn – Soft, warmer fabrics offer a warm embrace as the outside begins to get chilly.
  • Winter – In the dark winter months, escape the icy cold with warmer materials, layered to keep you snug no matter what.

Layering for comfort and temperature

Sometimes nightwear that rests lightly against the skin isn’t enough to guarantee a restorative rest, and added layers might be necessary.

Layering your sleepwear can create little pockets of air that insulate, keeping your temperature under control while breathable fabrics help wick away moisture as you sleep. That’s why you might want to think about throwing on one of these options the next time you go to bed:

  • Lightweight robes or gowns – The airy weightlessness of a robe or gown will offer all the insulation you need without any of the restriction.
  • Breathable base layers – These fabrics will manage any sweat or moisture on your body while sitting snug against your skin through the night.
  • Easy-to-remove layers – As temperatures change, your needs might too, and having layers you can shed makes for uninterrupted sleep, whatever the temperature.

Should you wear socks to bed?

You might prefer the bite of cool sheets as you dip your bare toes under your quilt for the first time in the evening, or you may feel more comfortable padding to the kitchen in cosy cotton socks after waking up on the right side of the bed.

Whichever it is, you should know that wearing socks to bed is completely down to personal preference. Some people enjoy the warmth and comfort they provide, especially on cooler nights, though others like to feel their sheets glide past their feet instead.

Whether you wear socks to bed or not, you can always sink into a pair of slippers as you step out of your sleepy sanctuary each morning.

Finding what works for you

As you head up to bed, the sun dipping below the horizon, casting a warm glow across the room, spend a moment considering what makes you most comfortable.

Is it your Egyptian cotton sheets caressing your skin? Or is it your toes wiggling under the duvet as your body begins to reach a state of warm contentment? Perhaps it’s the feel of a silk nightgown stroking your back, or linen sleep clothes cocooning you as you tuck yourself into bed.

You might just find that sleepwear is the key to your comfort and a mainstay in your new bedtime ritual. Deciding what you want to wear to bed can be a case of trial and adjustment, but once you do, you’ll know it.

Find out ten of the best tips for getting a good night’s sleep here.

Your sleepwear questions, answered

Is it healthy to sleep naked?

Yes, sleeping naked is perfectly safe and healthy, though some people prefer the sumptuous feeling of cosy sleeping clothes to the sensation of sleeping nude.

What should you wear to bed?

What you wear to bed depends on the seasons, the temperature outside, and most of all, what you’re comfortable in. Silk, cotton, linen, and modal are all popular, lightweight, breathable options, but it’s down to you which offers you the best rest.

What do most women tend to wear to bed?

Many women like to wear loose, breathable garments to bed, as they prioritise comfort without sacrificing or restricting movement, but what you wear to bed is entirely down to what you prefer.