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8 best women's summer pyjamas: Keep cool during balmy nights
Don't let your jammies get in the way of a decent night's sleep
We love summer – who doesn't? Albeit this year's is a very different one.
As lockdown measures start to lift and temperatures rise, we'll be spending more time outside. The brighter mornings and longer evenings will mean plenty of alfresco dining, too.
The only issue is that with warm sunny days comes hot sticky nights. Cool showers and sleeping with nothing on can help solve overheating, but if that's not for you, you need to find the right pyjamas for the job, considering we spend around a third of our lives sleeping.
And there's nothing more important than knowing your fabrics when it comes to summer nightwear.
Natural materials like cotton are most people's go-to, but if you're a nighttime sweater, the lightweight fabric might not be your best option, as although it will soak up sweat, it won't really dry out.
Welcome in linen, which dries much quicker than cotton, meaning you won't wake up with a soggy top sticking to you. It isn't quite as soft intially, but does soften up with time. It keeps you cool in summer and warmer in winter, so it's a great all-rounder.
Silk, if you're willing to splash out, is the ultimate summer pj material as it's cool and moisture wicking, as well as being super soft on your skin.
If you're looking for an eco alternative to silk, check out bamboo. It can look and feel almost the same as silk, has all the same breathable properties, and is not as expensive. There's also rayon, a man-made fabric created from cotton and woodpulp, which is also widely used to imitate silk.
We've tested a range of linen, cotton and bamboo pyjamas for how comfy they were, the material they're made from, the fit, and how cool they kept us during these balmy summer nights.
You can trust our independent reviews. We may earn commission from some of the retailers, but we never allow this to influence selections, which are formed from real-world testing and expert advice. This revenue helps to fund journalism across The Independent.
1Nightire pjs sweet clementine short set
Taking its name from the merging of “night” and “attire” – these gorgeous pjs are made from 100 per cent bamboo, which is environmentally friendly and moisture wicking and thanks to this ingenious fabric, they look and feel luxurious like silk. The sweet clementine print is part of the new 2020 range, which also includes a red and pink coral print, as well a third design coming soon too.
The bottoms are elasticated with a scalloped bottom and the shirt also has a top right pocket. We really love the subtle detail of an embroidered outline of a closed eye on either lapel, reminding us that these are to sleep in, but we’d happily wear them anywhere.
They’re oh-so-silky to wear, we didn't overheat in bed (even during a heatwave), and they wash well too. We’re absolutely obsessed with them. Available in sizes XS-XL, the brand also sells cute matching scrunchies and eye masks, too.
2Piglet white linen pyjamas shorts set
If you're still wanting to wear a long-sleeved top with your shorts set, then Piglet’s matching top and bottoms are the answer. Made from French flax linen – which is cool in the summer and warm in the winter – this set oozes luxury and you’ll absolutely want to wear it at breakfast, as well as all day on lazy Sundays too, and you certaintly won’t be caught out if someone rings the doorbell.
The chic duo is finished off with pearlised buttons and contrasting navy piping. They are designed to have an oversized fit, but we recommend going for a size below your usual which will still be plenty roomy enough. Also available in pale pink, navy and navy and white stripes in sizes XS-XL.
The verdict: Women's summer pjs
For the ultimate comfy pjs, it has to be Nightire's sweet clementine set. They're silky smooth without the price tag of other luxury alternatives, wash well and have gorgeous prints to choose from, and we love the eco-credentials. Sleeper's linen suit is beautifully made and Desmond & Dempsey's new Pahri prints are excellent, too.