If pajamas are on your shopping list this Black Friday, there are plenty of discounts out there. After reviewing and testing dozens of women’s pajamas for months, we found the best pairs that we highly recommend—and many of which are on sale right now. Our top pick is the Cozy Earth Bamboo Jogger Set, a uniquely soft-yet-stretchy set with a brushed texture. The Tommy John Downtime Set came in a close second, offering excellent breathability with a silky, smooth design.
We tested 13 styles to determine the nine best pajama sets for women that offer cozy, breathable … [+]
All the pairs in this guide are soft, breathable, cozy (but not too warm), well-fitting and stylish. During our thorough evaluation, we analyzed key factors like fabric weight, pocket placement and post-wash shrinkage to land on our nine recommendations. Whether you run hot, live in a cold climate or need a polished pair to slip on for remote work meetings (your secret’s safe with us), here are the best pajamas for women.
Other Top Picks To Consider
Sleepwear is a personal choice, and while there are many quality pajamas for women, everyone has different preferences. In addition to the picks we recommend above, we rounded up six highly-rated pairs that might also be a good match for you.
Why Trust Forbes Vetted
At Forbes Vetted, our fashion team has extensively covered sleepwear topics, having tested robes, slippers, leggings and more.
- Co-authors Kari Molvar and Claire Epting researched popular pajama sets then cumulatively tested 13 top contenders to select their nine favorites.
- We consulted with three experts: Dr. Shelby Harris, who is board certified in Behavioral Sleep Medicine (BSM) by the American Academy of Sleep Medicine and treats a wide variety of sleep disorders; Preeti Gopinath, Director of MFA Textiles and Associate Professor at Parsons School of Fashion; and New York-based luxury personal shopper Joan Kaufman.
- This article is regularly refreshed to ensure all of our picks still meet the criteria for their respective categories; it was last updated in November 2024.
- The publication of this story was overseen by deputy editor Kari Molvar, who helms Forbes Vetted’s extensive library of fashion stories.
How We Chose The Best Pajamas For Women
To determine the best pajamas for women, we researched best-selling options then relied on first-hand testing to find the best options available right now.
- When making our initial selections, we ensured that each option we planned to test came highly rated by customers; all of our picks have an average rating of at least 4 out of 5 stars.
- Molvar tested eight pajama sets over the course of several months, rating selections according to specific criteria—in this case, fabric quality, fit, value for the price and comfort. She also assessed if the pairs washed well and held up over time.
- In November 2024, Epting tested five additional sets, adding two to our lineup of winners: the Lunya Washable Silk Tee Short Set as the best high-end pajamas and the Petite Plume Pima Pajama Set as the best option with monogramming.
How To Pick The Best Women’s Pajamas
Picking the perfect pair of pajamas comes down to personal preference, but there are a few factors you should always keep in mind. Here’s what to consider when shopping:
Comfort
Prioritize how the pajamas feel when you put them on, most importantly. According to Dr. Harris, “Everything from your mattress to the pajamas you wear can have an impact on your physical health and sleep quality.” When you’re comfortable in bed, she says, you’ll ultimately be able to fall asleep more easily and be less likely to wake up frequently throughout the night.
Style
“The current trend in pajamas is nightwear that’s both stylish and comfortable—meaning, women are buying sleepwear that’s flattering and feels good to the touch,” says Kaufman. “In recent years, pajama options have increased exponentially. Current popular styles include classic and tailored pajamas and nightgowns, chemise gowns with matching robes, sexy negligees, and cute camisole tops and matching shorts.”
In the end, though, the pajama style you choose is all about personal preference. Menswear-inspired pajamas tend to be popular as they’re roomy, somewhat structured, and often come in a variety of prints and fabrics—from classic cotton to silk to bamboo. If you like extra airiness, opt for a set with shorts or a nightgown or sleep shirt.
Fabric
Fabric choice is key, so consider factors such as softness, stretch, breathability, warmth, ease of care, and how fabrics wear over time. Pajamas come in a wide variety of fabrics, including cotton, bamboo, flannel, silk, wool, fleece or other sleep performance blends. Bamboo, linen and light cottons tend to be popular in warm climates and seasons, while toastier fabrics like silk, fleece, thicker brushed cotton flannels or cashmere are mainstays in cooler areas or sleep environments.
We spoke with Preeti Gopinath, Director of MFA Textiles and Associate Professor at Parsons School of Fashion, who broke down some typical pajama fabrics for us:
- Cotton and flannel: “For summer, cotton and linen are typically the lightest and softest materials you can wear to sleep,” Gopinath says. “In the winter, you’ll likely see heavier variations, but with different characteristics. For example, flannel is usually made from cotton that’s brushed on the surface so it becomes napped and fluffy. That fabric treatment traps warm air and results in extra insulation.”
- Silk: “Silk is a luxurious fabric that feels fantastic to touch, has luster and gives one a sense of leading an elevated lifestyle when worn,” says Gopinath. “It tends to keep you warmer than cotton, especially in the winter, but it all depends on the density of the yarns and weave. In addition, silk has good drape, is durable and wicks away moisture from the skin.”
- Bamboo rayon: Bamboo comes from a fast-growing reed and has wonderful anti-microbial and absorbent properties. Bamboo fabrics are often made from regenerated bamboo fibers as a rayon material.
- Modal: Modal—also sold under the trademark of Tencel—is made from the wood chips of beech trees and woven into rayon fabric. Tencel fabrics are biodegradable and their manufacturing processes often incorporate sustainable, raw material sourcing and manufacturing.
- Lyocell: Lyocell is made specifically from wood chips (regenerated cellulosic fibers) of Eucalyptus trees and has excellent wicking properties that allow for a cooling effect. “These fabrics feel luxurious, soft, silky and smooth to touch, have good moisture management and are breathable, drape beautifully and are often softer than cotton,” says Gopinath. “However, it’s not entirely natural and is referred to as a manufactured fiber.”
Length
Some people are hot sleepers and prefer short pajamas or sleep shirts. Others are cold sleepers and opt for full-length pajamas in heavier fabrics. Cotton separates are a good option if you like to alternate pajama length depending on the season or temperature. If you’re tall, bear in mind that popular sleepwear fabrics, such as Pima cotton, will shrink after they’re washed so you may want to size up for length.