You spend hours scrutinizing and selecting your attire before going to work or attending important functions, but do you give the same attention when choosing your sleepwear? Probably not. Perhaps, you will merely wear whatever old clothes you have in the closet, like an old college t-shirt and a pair of ratty shorts, and then climb to bed hoping to get your beauty sleep. If you are guilty of doing this and you often have a challenging time getting high-quality and sufficient rest at night, you better start caring about the type of clothes you wear during bedtime.
You may not realize it, but your nightwear significantly impacts the quality of your sleep. How can you rest well when your clothes are binding, rough on the skin, or feel downright uncomfortable? This is why you should be meticulous when shopping for sleepwear. Apart from knowing where to buy women’s pajama tops and bottoms, you must learn how to select the bedtime attire that encourages a good night’s sleep, among others. To help you out, here are six qualities that you may want to look for to ensure that you are purchasing excellent sleepwear.
Comfort
It is practically impossible to sleep well if you keep adjusting the waistband of the pajamas you are wearing because it is too tight or if you are constantly scratching and fussing over the material of your nightclothes. This is why the first thing you should pay attention to when looking for the ideal sleepwear is comfort. Be sure to purchase comfortable clothes by following these simple tips:
- Check the size chart. Before you purchase any bedtime garment online, make it a habit to check the size chart and compare it to your own personal measurements so that you’ll know you’re buying items that fit well. The last thing you want is to purchase a tight-fitting pajama set that hampers your ability to breathe. Besides making you feel constricted and uncomfortable, clothes that are too tight can make it hard for you to fall asleep. One study published in Chronobiology International found that wearing tight clothes at night can suppress the synthesis of melatonin, the hormone that helps promote sleep.
- Choose fabrics carefully. The material of the sleepwear can make you feel either ultra-comfy or ultra-irritated, which is why you should always choose fabrics carefully. Take into account the weather and your body condition to find the right sleepwear material. For instance, cotton pajamas are best during the summer months as they are soft, breathable, and don’t cause skin irritation. During winter, however, you may opt for nightclothes made with flannel as this fabric will keep you warm and toasty without the risk of overheating.
- Avoid problematic elements. Apart from checking the size and fabric, you should also ensure that the sleepwear you are eyeing is free from uncomfortable fashion elements. Sequins, snaps, metallic studs, and other similar details may look stylish, but they can irritate your skin and keep you awake at night.
Thermoregulating Features
Did you know that there is a relationship between body temperature and sleep? When your core body temperature goes down, you feel sleepy. On the contrary, you’ll feel quite awake when your body temperature rises. Because of this mechanism, you may want to look for sleepwear with thermoregulating features to help you maintain an ideal body temperature for sleeping.
Such garments are made of adaptive fabrics that readily cool you down when your body starts to heat up or warm you up if you feel too cold. This way, you’ll remain comfortable all night long. Sleepwear with thermoregulating features is best if hot or cold flashes and similar body temperature-related issues are keeping you from getting a satisfying and restful sleep.
Style
Although comfort should be your top priority when searching for nightclothes, it doesn’t mean that you have to sacrifice style altogether. Various apparel stores now offer sleepwear with a wide variety of designs that match your personality and preferences—from sleep shirts and pajama sets to nightgowns and lingerie.
When selecting a suitable style, look for something that makes you feel good and relaxed. Again, the design should never compromise comfort. For instance, nightgowns with lace at the neck, wrist, or hem may look sophisticated and fashionable, but the lacework could irritate your skin and cause itchiness and rashes. You may also want to be selective of colors as they have the power to trigger emotions and affect your mood. Choose hues that could calm you down to help facilitate sleep, such as blue, green, and purple.
Versatility
Another essential quality that you should look for in sleepwear is versatility. Shop for separate tops and bottoms that you can mix and match instead of opting for coordinates. This way, you can style according to your mood and invest in high-quality nightclothes as you don’t need to purchase a lot of items. You may also opt for short-sleeved tees, pajama capris, and pajama pants that double as loungewear so you can save money and stay comfortable while relaxing at home.
Durability
Always purchase pajamas and other types of nightclothes that you can use for a long time. They should not fade easily or become shapeless and worn out after you wear them a few of times. Make it a habit to inspect the quality of the items you are buying. How do you do this? Here are several ways to know if the sleepwear is well-made and durable:
- The fabric is not too sheer. High-quality fabrics, even those that are lightweight, are typically not see-through. Try to hold the top or pajama pants up to a source of light. If you can barely see the outline of your hand through the fabric, the material will most likely last for many years.
- There should be no visible gaps when you pull on a seam. Unlike low-quality sleepwear with loose stitches that are prone to splitting, well-made sleeping clothes have tighter, more frequent stitches. That is why you will not see any gaps when you try pulling at the seams.
- Accessories should be securely attached to the clothing items. Try pulling the buttons, zippers, and closures for 10 seconds. If they remain firmly in place, the garment is most likely durable.
- There is no breakage in stitching or elastic fibers when you do a stretch test. If your sleepwear has an elastic waistband or strap, stretch it to see if the stitches and elastic fibers will hold. No breakage means good quality.
- The nightwear keeps its shape even after receiving a good tug. Pull a small section of the clothing item between your fingers. Garments made of high-quality materials will recover their shape and maintain their form after being stretched.
- The manufacturer or retailer offers a decent warranty. Always choose to buy at shops that allow refunds and returns. Remember that only those brands that take pride in the quality of their products will be confident enough to provide guarantees or warranties to customers.
Easy Care
Besides looking for characteristics that ensure better sleep quality, style, and integrity, you should also find items that require minimal effort to maintain, especially if you are always busy and have tons of responsibilities. You may want to steer clear of fabrics that are too delicate to machine wash, such as silk and satin. Would you welcome an additional trip to your dry cleaners because your nightwear is too fragile to throw in the washing machine along with the rest of your garments? Avoid the inconvenience by checking the care label instructions to know if the product you intend to buy requires much time and energy to care for and maintain.
Taking the time to find the right sleepwear is not a wasted effort but a significant part of caring for things that matter. After all, wearing the right bedtime attire could mean the difference between a fitful sleep and a long, satisfying slumber. Be sure to shop for nightwear that encourages a good night’s rest and offers many other benefits by considering the qualities mentioned above.
