We spend around a third of our lifetime sleeping, so why wouldn’t we care what we’re wearing while we’re doing it?
And, now the clocks have gone back and it’s dark when we get home from work, there’s very little stopping us hopping right into our jammies as soon as the door shuts behind us. Also, let’s face it, some PJs out there are just too pretty to only wear in bed, so we might as well get the most out of them.
Luckily for us, this time of year doesn’t come with the same perils of trying to sleep in blistering heat as summer does.
Instead it’s all about keeping warm, and for most of us that means long PJ tops and bottoms and for those who really feel the cold, chunkier materials too.
We were looking for something chic, durable and most importantly, comfortable, as well as festive prints – old and new – that could be worn over Christmas and beyond.
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The White Company Classic jersey pyjama set: £75, The White Company
These are undeniably the best PJs we’ve ever worn. If you love marl grey and super soft jersey, these are absolutely you. They’re roomy and super cosy and are absolutely OK to be wearing around the house on weekends (and boyond to be honest). We guarantee you won’t take to take them off. They do come up large, so definitely size down.
Nightire Wild Christmas bamboo long pyjama set: £76, Nightire
Now this is Christmas themed, but 2019 style, so cacti and llamas mark the occasion. These dreamy yellow jammies are far more festive than you first think, with cute llammas in festive hats and cacti wrapped in twinkly lights. Made from bamboo, they’re sustainable and so incredibly silky that you’ll want to wear these beyond the festive period – luckily there’s also non-Christmas themed prints if you want another, which we also love for the summer.
Eberjey Gisele Sporty stretch-jersey pyjama set: £140, Selfridges
In 1996, the brand started designer underwear for “laterally challenged flat-bottomed women”, which one of the owners created to suit her figure. It’s since grown and offers loungewear and PJs, too. We love this contemporary and rather sporty set with its side stripe, cuffed ankles and rugby-style top. It’s casual but chic loungewear. Made with cosy jersey, it’s a loose fit but not boyfriend style. We especially like the curved hem of the top that covers the bum too. We’re not surprised this set is the brand’s most popular design, but if you’d rather something less athletic looking, we also love the oh-so sophisticated wrap top Nightcap stretch-modal set.
Topshop Forest satin short pyjama set: £30, Topshop
For some of the warm blooded among us, long pjs are just too hot even in winter, so they’ll always need to stick to a short set. But when they come in this gorgeous forest green colour and a satin material, it’s hard not to look Christmassy. These are chic, with contrasting silvery piping round the collar, cuffs and bottom of shorts and buttons. We think they will look even look great for breakfast on Christmas morning. Also available in mustard with mid-length sleeves.
Cath Kidston Christmas village pyjama set: £55, Cath Kidston
If this set doesn’t scream Christmas ski-holiday attire, we don’t know what will. This cosy brushed cotton pair were made for wintry holidays and we love the cute print – including the sausage dogs running about in the snow – that’s nothing less than we’d expect from the kitsch queen herself. As these are brushed cotton, they’re fairly thick and are best saved for those really chilly nights, and work equally as well for lounging too.
Desmond & Dempsey Milou long set: £150, Desmond & Dempsey
Another cult fave sleepwear brand of ours is Desmond & Dempsey, whose designs are inspired by lazy Sundays and boyfriend-fit PJs. These are made with 100 per cent cotton and are some of the softest we tested. The fit is more tailored than some of the brand’s other designs, but they’re long in the arm and leg and super comfy. Inspired by Mexico City’s Cafe Milou, the print is painted in watercolour and uses some of the city’s pink cabs and blue horses. You can have then monogrammed for £23.
Cyberjammies Belle brushed long-sleeve check pyjama set: £48, Cyberjamies
Brushed cotton is the ultimate winter material for PJs in our eyes and classic red tartan is a real go-to festive look for us, too – even if you’re not Scottish. This set from Cyberjammies have pockets and a drawstring elasticated waist for a comfy fit. If you love the print, but fancy another style, you can buy separates and mix and match, or go for a nightshirt. There’s also matching dressing gown and eye mask. If you’ve got kids, you can even go matching with a set in the brand’s Minijammies range.
Honna Red Stripe pyjama set: £95, Honna
This 100 per cent cotton-set looks like a deliciously sweet candy cane and we think the design is the perfect subtle Christmas look for those who prefer to be more understated. Designed by founder Barbara McMillan, who spent 10 years working as a stylist, she created the kind of classic but luxury PJs she wanted. We like the fairly boxy fit of the top, with wide sleeves and the straight bottoms are a very good length too, even for our tall tester; available in seven striped colours and two white sets with navy or red piping.
Yolke Prowling Leopard cotton pyjama set: £145, Yolke
Launched in 2013, this London brand founded by friends Ella Ringner and Anna Williamson first began using just silk, but has since branched out to cotton (like this set) and linen too. Known for its bold prints and matching mini-me versions, Yolke also has a range of PJ-inspired daywear too, using the same luxe prints and materials like the luxurious silk leopard-print wrap dress. We love the print of these 100 per cent cotton PJs, which have side pockets, drawstring bottoms and a relaxed fit.
Next Navy Stripe pocket cotton pyjamas: £15, Next
A blue and grey stripe is a match made in heaven when it comes to loungewear for us, and this cotton set hits that relaxed Sunday feel on the head. Complete with its own Calvin Klein boxer-short inspired white and black branded waistband on the leggings, these are comfy, soft and very affordable. They’re also a good option for people who don’t like buttons and tie waists.
