Why the Right Pair of Pyjamas Matters More Than You’d Think
Most blokes don’t think twice about what they wear to bed. It’s usually an old band shirt from a gig back in 2009 and a pair of joggers that have been through the wash so often the drawstring doesn’t really do anything anymore. Nothing wrong with that. Plenty of us have done it for years. Still, once October gets going and the evenings start drawing in, this bit of the wardrobe probably deserves more thought than it normally gets.
What you sleep in does make a difference to how you sleep. Not a massive one, and nobody’s saying new pyjamas will change your life. But a fabric that lets your skin breathe helps. So does a waistband that isn’t digging in at three in the morning, and sleeves that stay put instead of rucking up under your armpits. Small stuff. It adds up over a night, and then over a month. A decent pair of pyjamas isn’t really a treat. It’s just common sense.
What to actually look for
For most men, cotton’s the safe bet. It copes with temperature well enough, it goes through the washing machine without going bobbly or shrinking after six months, and it still feels fine against your skin at 4am. Flannel’s a good shout in winter, especially if you’re someone who keeps the heating off for as long as humanly possible or you live somewhere properly chilly. If your bedroom gets warm, though, flannel can leave you sweating. Depends on your house really.
Fit is the bit people tend to get wrong. Too baggy and you end up wrapped in your own trouser legs. Too snug and you’ll have kicked them off before midnight. Ideally you want a bit of stretch and a relaxed cut, so rolling over isn’t a struggle, but not so roomy you look like you’ve borrowed a tent. An elasticated waist with a drawstring is the easy option. Some men like a proper trouser with a button fly instead, which is fair enough.
Then there’s pockets. Sounds daft, but if your phone lives on the bedside table and you grab it as soon as the alarm goes, or you shuffle downstairs to stick the kettle on at six, a pocket on the top comes in handy. You won’t miss it if it’s not there. You’ll use it if it is.
Buy from somewhere you trust
We’ve all done it. You order cheap nightwear online and it turns up so thin you can practically read through it, or the seams start coming apart after the third wash, or the medium fits like an extra large. It’s annoying. And it’s one of those things where saving a few quid at the start just means buying again a few months later.
Chums have been around for years and they don’t pretend to be something they’re not. Their customers are mostly men who want something that’s made well and doesn’t cost a fortune. The mens pyjamas from Chums sit somewhere between the bargain bin and the designer stuff, and there’s a fair bit of choice. You’ll find striped cotton sets, warmer brushed ones for when it’s really cold, and tops and bottoms sold separately if you fancy mixing and matching. Some people do. Why not.
They also do bigger sizes across the range, which plenty of shops still don’t manage. If you’re a larger lad who’s spent ages squinting at size charts and crossing your fingers, that’s a bit of a relief.
Handy for presents too
Maybe your own pyjamas are fine. Fair enough. They’re still worth keeping in mind as a present, because men are a nightmare to buy for, especially at Christmas. A good set is useful without being dull, and it’s the sort of thing most of us wouldn’t bother buying for ourselves but are quietly chuffed to unwrap on Christmas morning. Dads in particular. They’ll moan that they didn’t need any and then wear them every weekend until spring.
Anyway. It’s getting dark by five, the heating’s going back on, and if you’re still going to bed in that knackered old band shirt, maybe it’s time. You’ll spend roughly a third of your life asleep. Probably worth a few quid to get it right.