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If you wake up hot and sticky from perspiration, as if your body cranked up its internal temperature to sauna status, you’re not alone. Over the last year or so, I’ve become a hot — and, admittedly, a very sweaty — sleeper. I wake up warm almost every morning, sometimes even in the middle of the night, regardless of how cool my husband and I keep our bedroom or how light our bed sheets are. But just when I thought I’d exhausted all my resources, a loved one recommended swapping out my sleepwear for cooling pajamas. Now, thanks to this simple switch, beauty sleep has meaning again.
A fresh pair of cooling pajamas might just be your saving grace if you’re also someone who constantly wakes up hot and sweaty. When shopping for new sleepwear, health and sleep psychologist Joshua Tal, PhD tells INSIDER that shoppers should look for fabrics like cotton, linen, bamboo, and rayon, as these materials “allow your body to release moisture, but [are] loose enough to let air in to cool you down and wick away the moisture.” Eucalyptus fibers are also great, as they’re ultra-lightweight, hypoallergenic, moisture-wicking, and cool to the touch, adds Elle Liu, founder of cooling sheets brand, Eucalypso.
It’s also worth noting that, while the term “cooling pajamas” doesn’t have the sexiest connotation, you can rest assured these sleep garments come in an array of styles. From tank tops and shorts to flowing nightgowns and form-fitting garments, read on to find out which cooling pajamas we’ve tested and loved.
I slept in nearly a dozen pairs of cooling pajamas for this test, but in order to determine the best, I had a few criteria that needed to be met. First, they had to be lightweight; I didn’t want to feel like I was swimming in material or being weighed down. Secondly was the sweat factor: Was I still waking up in a pool of perspiration with my clothes sticking to my skin? And, finally, were the pajamas cooling enough that I slept through the night? This list only include the ones that were most comfortable, fit properly, and prevented my nightly hot flashes from becoming puddles of sweat.
Trust me when I say this is not your mother’s signature nightie. Dagsmejan’s sleep dress is constructed from the brand’s “Natcool” fabric, which is 92% microlyocell, a natural microfiber from eucalyptus that is widely considered cooler than linen and trumps cotton at moisture management. It also feels like silk — cool to the touch and smooth. Plus, the remaining 8% of the garment is made with elastane, so it’s super stretchy and non-constricting.
I love how the slip dress feels like a second skin and looks beautiful on. Waking up in a pool of sweat isn’t sexy, but Dagsmejan’s cooling sleep dress is.
You don’t have to be experiencing menopausal hot flashes to reap the benefits of the Become nightdress (but if you are, keep reading). The brand’s exclusive Anti-Flush technology is a serious game-changer for hot and sweaty sleepers of all ages and walks of life.
Here’s how it works: The sleepwear’s nylon fabric is made with a flat thread and knitted cross-section, and features a unique coating that works rapidly to transfer heat elsewhere, bring your temperature down, and evaporate moisture away from the body. A second coating then stores said heat and releases it back into the body during the chill that follows. This way, your body temperature remains stable through heat and chill. It also fights odors, so your sweat doesn’t stink through your clothes.
It’s worth noting that I’m as passionate about how this dress makes me feel as I am about how it looks on. This nightgown is gorgeous and wears like a second skin, almost like a slip dress. It’s seam-free, lightweight, and comes in three colors: black, navy blue, and white.
My first impression of the sleepwear was that it looked like a pretty standard sporty tank top and shorts set, but a lot goes into making these cooling pajamas so effective.
To start, both pieces are constructed from the same Sheex performance fabrics as its sheets, which are incredibly breathable, moisture-wicking, and maintain your body’s ideal sleep temperature. And unlike other cooling pajamas that are purposely designed a little looser to keep air circulating, Sheex’s pajamas are breathable, but still fit close to the body. The top also features extra chest support and coverage on the inseam, plus criss-cross straps for a sporty aesthetic.
I’ve yet to come across an article of clothing by Aerie that I didn’t love, so naturally I had high hopes for their new line of cooling pajamas. I’m happy to say that I wasn’t disappointed by this set.
I typically gravitate towards pajamas that feel silky-smooth, but the brand’s Real Soft blend surprised me. The pajamas are made from viscose, cotton, and elastane, which are known to be cooling, lightweight materials. The set also runs large (I’m an XS and it was loose on), so there’s plenty of room for air to circulate, keeping you nice and chill throughout the night.
From sleepwear brand Adore Me comes Coolibrium, a new brand of clothing for those who run hot, designed in collaboration with MAS Innovation. Its range of sleepwear includes this simple sleep tee, but with Thermal Regulation technology, the sleep top is anything but basic. Made from 100 percent nylon, it’s butter soft and super breathable, plus moisture-wicking should sweat happen. The only downside is, it only comes in one color.
Another fantastic option for nightgown lovers, The JJ Winks Girl Trip Nightgown is flowy, flirty, and comes in 11 colors (so stock up). The short garment hits about mid-thigh, and is made from modal and spandex, giving it an almost creamy feel. It features the brand’s exclusive “Light Hug®” shelf (essentially a built-in bra) for support, and adjustable/detachable straps you can maneuver for maximum comfort.
The Barefoot Dreams Luxe Milk Jersey Cowl Neck Nightshirt gave me toga vibes, in the best way possible. The shirt fits beautifully; it’s roomy, without looking frumpy, and because it’s made from a combination of 80 percent modal, 13 percent azlon, and 7 percent Spandex, it’s incredibly comfortable and cooling. The ultimate nightshirt to wear to bed after you’ve just changed the sheets.
Trust me, don’t be put off by the pants. Available in sizes XXS to 3X, the pajama set is made up of Athleta’s patented TENCEL, a modal/spandex jersey fabric. It’s soft to the touch, but that softness won’t weigh you down. It’s a lightweight material that falls over your body, and its airyness is what makes sleeping in the set so comfortable and cooling.
Slip dresses are a saving grace for naturally hot sleepers, and this adorable printed number from MASONgrey is no exception. Designed as a crossover between traditional nightgowns and daytime midi dresses, the Nora boasts a buttery soft feel made of MASONgrey’s cloud fabric (hence its soft touch). What I especially love about the slip is its adjustable straps for support, and sexy side slits for style. Function, meet (sleepwear) fashion.
If you’re looking for a cooling top to wear to bed, consider PJ Harlow’s Anne Satin Sleep Cami. It’s made with 75 percent rayon and 25 percent satin faille, and I found it to be the perfect simple top to pair with shorts or underwear on particularly scorching nights.
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