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Tossing and turning at night? Experts say these materials are best to help you sleep

Need to refresh your pajama collection? Consider these options.
Woman laying in her bed reading a book, wearing a pink matching pajama set
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/ Source: TODAY

We've always relished that sweet moment of the day when we can change into a cozy pair of pajamas and relax for the night. With National Wear Your Pajamas to Work Day on April 16, there's even a chance to get some PJs prepared for the office (if your workplace allows it, that is). Yes, it's a real thing and we're here to help you get ready.

It’s been a while since we’ve taken stock of our own PJs collection, so Shop TODAY has found 14 new sets we’re eager to order. Whether you prefer pants, capris or shorts, we've got something for every climate and every personality.

We even spoke with professional stylists about what materials and styles make the best (and most comfortable!) pajamas.

What are the best materials for pajamas? | How to find the right style pajamas | Long-sleeve pajama sets | Short-sleeve pajama sets | Capri pajama sets | Pajama sets with shorts | How we chose | Meet the experts

Shop TODAY Snapshot

Best pajama sets

What are the best materials for pajamas?

When you spend one-third of your life on a mattress, you'll want to dress the part with a pair (or ten) of comfortable pajamas. Charline Zeroual, a French sustainable personal stylist, suggests that the materials of your pajamas can actually impact your sleeping habits.

"The fabric you choose for your sleepwear impacts not only the way you feel, but also the way you sleep. Natural fabrics are best for nightwear because they help your body regulate its temperature while you sleep; cotton, linen, silk, and bamboo are all great choices," says Zeroual.

Liz Teich, the brains behind The New York Stylist, concurs with Zeroual: "Viscose/bamboo, silk and cotton are all the most comfortable, breathable and are better for the environment."

How to find the right style pajamas

"When it comes to choosing a style for your sleepwear, I would recommend keeping it loose and flowy," suggests Zeroual. "Sleep plays a vital role in good health and well-being throughout your life. While sleeping, you don’t want to feel stuffy, restricted, or strained," she says.

"The best way to feel light and relaxed is in moisture-wicking pajamas. This is a type of sleepwear that takes excess moisture away from your body while still allowing for air flow. A moisture-wicking fabric is multiple individual layers combined into a single fabric," continues Zeroual.

Long-sleeve pajama sets for women

Amazon Essentials Flannel Pajama Set

What we like
  • Deceptively warm
  • Roomy pockets
  • Doesn't fade in wash
Something to note
  • May run large

Colorways: 15 | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: Cotton

Senior editor Jess Bender refers to these warm pajamas as "the perfect pair of flannel PJs for hibernation season." This cotton set comes in 19 unique hues and has over 1,700 five-star reviews on Amazon.

"While they feel lightweight to the touch, they’ve worked overtime during colder nights when I needed extra warmth. I also adore the relaxed, non-restrictive fit around my bust and thighs, which are two areas I have a harder time sizing around with pajamas," explains Bender.

"One thing to note: I love wearing oversized garments, but I felt like I was wearing the sleep form of David Byrne’s giant suit in Stop Making Sense when I first put them on. (They do shrink a bit after the first wash, so that qualm was quickly rectified,)" Bender says.

Swomog Silk Satin Pajamas

What we like
  • Silky
  • Not too thick
  • Comfortable
Something to note
  • May run large

Colorways: 112 | Sizes: XS-3XL | Materials: Silk satin

Nothing feels as luxurious as these pajamas feel. Made with a silky-soft material, these Amazon jammies currently ranks as the site's sixth most popular women's pajama set. Over 16,000 verified shoppers have even rated this pair a perfect five stars. One eloquently summarized the sensation of wearing these: "They make me feel like my life is put together, like I am a functioning human in society who can order as many lattes as she wants."

Prettygarden Two-Piece Pajama Set

What we like
  • Super soft
  • Great for lounging
Something to note
  • May run big

Colorways: 23 | Sizes: S-XXL | Materials: Polyester, cotton, elastane

Available in nearly two dozen trendy designs, this sleepwear set screams comfort. Over 7,000 Amazon shoppers who gave these jammies a perfect five-star rating agree with this sentiment.

Little Planet by Carter's Adult Organic Cotton Pajama Set

What we like
  • Size inclusive
  • Super comfortable
Something to note
  • May shrink

Colorways: Two | Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: Cotton

Associate editor Kamari Stewart admits she was a bit skeptical of how well these pajamas would fit as the brand specializes in kid’s clothing but was pleasantly surprised. "They fit like a glove, they’re so comfortable and so worth it. Plus I love wearing a simple striped matching set because it makes me feel so put together in the easiest way," says Stewart. These cotton pajamas come in either dusty rose stripe or grey.

Tommy John Downtime Long Sleeve Pajama Set

What we like
  • Lightweight
  • Stretchy
Something to note
  • May be see-through

Colorways: Five | Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: Acrylic, modal, spandex

Stewart is a lover of these pajamas as well and appreciates their softness. "I have them in a wintery print that I got over the holidays last year and they’re still some of my favorite to wear now. They’re lightweight and super stretchy, perfect for the person who gets hot in their sleep (like me)," Stewart says.

Short-sleeve pajama sets for women

Soma Satin Ankle Pants

What we like
  • Keeps you cool
Something to note
  • May need to size up

Colorway: Three | Sizes: XS-XXL | Materials: Polyester, spandex

“I LOOOOOOOOVE Soma PJs,” raves Stewart. “The first time I slipped on a pair of these satin pants, my life was forever changed. These are some of my absolute favorites and I wear them at least once a week,” she says.

These stylish pajamas feature pockets for storage and an elastic waistband for a more comfortable, looser fit.

The Paisley Box Taylor Pajamas

What we like
  • Comfortable
  • Nice fabric
  • Fits true to size
Something to note
  • No pockets

Colorways: Two | Sizes: S-XL | Materials: Cotton, polyester

These stylish pajamas are super soft with a warm lining for those cooler nights. They also make the perfect gift for all your Taylor-obsessed friends and family members, as both the T-shirt top and the loose-fitting bottoms are decorated with designs related to the pop star.

J.Crew Short-Sleeve Pajama Set

What we like
  • Soft material
  • Lightweight
Something to note
  • May run big

Colorways: Three | Sizes: XXS-3X | Materials: Cotton

You really can't go wrong with this classic design. Whether you gravitate towards rosy hues or prefer wilder prints, this cropped pajama set offers something for every kind of sleeper.


Capri pajama sets for women

Ekouaer Pajamas Set

What we like
  • Very comfortable
  • Lightweight fabric
Something to note
  • May run small

Colorways: 12 | Sizes: S-3X | Materials: Rayon, spandex

Sometimes, you find yourself in that “in between” type of weather where the thought of wearing shorts makes you shiver and the idea of donning flannel makes you sweat. That’s where this set comes in handy! The short-sleeve shirt and capri pants are available in 12 color options and offer plenty of coverage without feeling too heavy. Amazon customers seem to dig the set, too, and have given it 4.5 out of 5 stars.

Lauren Ralph Lauren Further Lane Capri Knit Pajama Set

What we like
  • Very comfortable
  • Soft fabric
Something to note
  • May run small

Colorways: Four | Sizes: XS-XL | Materials: Cotton knit

"First-class quality" is pretty much a guarantee when it comes to Lauren Ralph Lauren, and these cotton knit pajamas are definitely not an exception. With a notch collar, 3/4-sleeve top and drawstring capri bottoms, you'll want to stock up on multiple colors, like French blue and navy dots — ASAP.

Pajama sets with shorts for women

Stars Above Beautifully Soft Short-Sleeve Pajama Set

What we like
  • Lightweight
  • Comfortable fabric
Something to note
  • May shrink after washing

Colorways: Nine | Sizes: XS-4X | Materials: Modal, spandex

With a strong 4.7-star average (and a 4.9-star rating for comfort alone!) from over 6,500 Target shoppers, this quintessential pick is pretty much as good as pajama sets get. Several verified reviewers also noted how great these are for gifting, so that gives you plenty of excuses for buying several at a time.

Floerns Short-Sleeve Sleepwear Set

What we like
  • Super soft
  • Thick material
Something to note
  • May run small

Colorways: 19 | Sizes: XXS-XL | Materials: N/A

Consider your search for the perfect set of warm weather pajamas complete. Floerns' short sleeve and shorts set has over 4,000 five-star ratings and shoppers can't stop raving about the affordable find, calling the set "comfortable," "cute" and "flattering." It comes in 19 colors, including summery hues we've got our eyes on.

Petite Plume Pima Pajama Short Set

What we like
  • Super soft
  • Lightweight
  • Shorts have pockets
Something to note
  • Expensive

Colorways: Four | Sizes: XS-XL | Materials: Peruvian Pima cotton

Commerce editor Vivien Moon is a fan of these stylish pajamas due to their softness and fit. "These are made with 100% pima cotton and are the softest/most breathable PJs I’ve ever owned," says Moon.

"The sizing is great and the shorts have a very comfortable elastic band that does not dig into me or even feels restrictive like some other pajama bottoms might. I did have mine monogrammed and feel so chic when I wear them so not only do I love these for myself, but I would definitely gift these to somebody else. The best part? The shorts have pockets!!" Moon raves.

LAKE Pima Long-Short Weekend Set

What we like
  • Super soft
  • Comfortable
Something to note
  • May run small

Colorways: Four | Sizes: XXS-XXL | Materials: Pima cotton

"Lake Pajamas makes the softest pajamas I’ve ever felt," says Teich. These Pima cotton pajamas feature a long-sleeve crewneck top and shorts with an elastic waistband for a looser fit.


How we chose

The Shop TODAY team rounded up the best pajama sets using a few methods: enlisting the recommendations of personal stylists, filtering our searches for top-rated products and reading various shopper reviews. We also asked our editors for a few of their favorite pajama picks.

Meet the experts