Women's Pyjamas

Women's pyjamas in satin, cotton, fleece and jersey, including plus size PJ sets that run up to UK 20 to 22, XXL and XXXL. The range goes from camisole and shorts sets to long fleece sets, hooded styles and maternity nursing nightdresses, for sleeping, lounging and gifting.

How to choose between a long set and a short set

Most British homes are warmer at night than people expect, which is why short sets are popular even in winter.

Short sets, camisole and shorts, or a short-sleeve top and shorts, suit centrally heated flats, anyone who overheats, and the six months from May to October. They take up less drawer space and dry faster.

Long sets earn their place in older houses with draughty bedrooms, in January, and for anyone who wants to make tea at seven in the morning without putting a dressing gown on first. They're also the more practical choice when you have people staying.

If you're buying one set to cover the year, a short set plus a robe is more flexible than a long set on its own.

How to choose the fabric

Satin is cool on the skin and drapes well. Suits warm nights and hot sleepers; it needs a gentle wash and shows every line if bought tight.
Ice silk and silk-look fabrics feel similar, dry quickly, and don't crease as readily.
Cotton and cotton jersey breathe and wash at higher temperatures. The sensible default for everyday wear.
Fleece, plush and sherpa-lined sets are the warm option for cold bedrooms. Like all nightwear, keep them away from heaters and open fires.
Lace trim tells you nothing about warmth: check the main fabric before deciding whether a set will suit the season.

How to get the fit right

Pyjamas should be roomy. If you're between sizes, size up, especially in non-stretch cotton, which won't give, and in satin, which pulls at the seams.

Two-piece sets are also where sizing mismatches show up most: if you're a different size on top and bottom, size for the larger half and choose a style with an elasticated or drawstring waist. Check the size chart on each product page: some sets are labelled in UK dress sizes and others in letter sizes, which do not always match.

Plus size pyjamas: sizes, Asian sizing and fit

What sizes to look for. Many sets here are labelled in UK dress sizes, with X Large covering UK 20 to 22. Letter-sized sets go up to XXL or XXXL, and some nightwear sets reach 5XL. You can see every style that comes in these sizes in plus size pyjamas.

How Asian sizing affects plus sizes. Letter sizes from overseas manufacturers often follow Asian sizing, which usually runs one or two sizes smaller than UK sizing. A 3XL on an Asian label can fit more like a UK 16 or 18 than a UK 22. Ignore the letter and compare your bust, waist and hip measurements with the size chart in centimetres.

Fit tips. Size for your largest measurement, which for button-up tops is usually the bust, so the buttons don't gape. Elasticated or drawstring waists give more room than a fixed waist. Stretch fabrics such as viscose with spandex, jersey and fleece are more forgiving than satin, which has no give.

How to buy pyjamas as a gift

Sleepwear is a common gift and an easy one to get wrong. Three things reduce the risk:

Go one size up from what you think. Nobody minds roomy pyjamas; everyone minds tight ones.
Choose a robe or a loose set over anything fitted if you're unsure of the size.
Avoid anything with visible lace or sheer panels unless you know the person's taste well. A plain cotton or satin set in a colour they wear is a safer gift than something more obviously chosen for them.

How to shop for maternity and nursing

Nursing sets have front openings or drop-down panels so you can feed without getting undressed at three in the morning. A few practical notes: buy late in pregnancy rather than early, so they fit the postpartum body rather than the bump; get two, because one will always be in the wash; and choose fabric that copes with a hot wash, since it will need one.

How to care for them so they last

Wash satin cool and inside out, on a gentle cycle, in a mesh bag if there's lace
Cotton can take a warmer wash: 40°C is enough for sleepwear unless someone's been ill
Skip the fabric conditioner on synthetics; it builds up and leaves a residue
Line dry where you can. Tumble drying shrinks cotton sets and shortens the life of elastic waistbands
Replace the elastic, not the set, if the waistband goes before the fabric does. It's a ten-minute job and saves a good pair

How many pairs do you actually need

Three is the number most people settle on: one in the wash, one in the drawer, one on. Add a festive set in December and a robe to go over any of them, and that's a complete rotation. Buying three at once means you're never down to the pair with the broken waistband.

Common questions

Where can I find plus size pyjamas in the UK?

Many sets here come in UK sizes up to 20 to 22, and some letter-sized styles reach XXXL. They are gathered together in plus size pyjamas, with sizes listed on each product page.

What size are plus size PJ sets?

Plus size usually means UK 18 and above. Here, look for X Large (UK 20 to 22) on sets sold in UK sizes, and 3XL and above on letter-sized sets, checking the measurements because Asian letter sizes run small.

Are large women's pyjamas cut roomier?

Not always. A larger size adds width but the cut stays the same, so choose elasticated waists and stretch fabrics if you want extra room, and size up if you are between sizes.

Are satin pyjamas warm enough for winter?

Not on their own in a cold bedroom, satin feels cool by design. Choose cotton for winter, or layer a robe over satin.

What's the difference between pyjamas and loungewear?

Loungewear is cut to be seen: heavier fabrics, less sheer, no visible lace. Several sets here work as both. Anything with lace trim or thin straps is sleepwear.

Can I buy the top and bottom in different sizes?

The sets here are sold as a matched pair in one size. If you size differently on top and bottom, size for the larger half and look for elasticated or drawstring waists, which accommodate more.