Quick answer

Choose pajamas by fabric first, then fit. Cotton and jersey knit breathe well for most sleepers, while lyocell blends feel smoother and more absorbent. Pick a long-sleeve set for cool rooms and a short set for warm ones, and wash both gently to keep them soft.

Pajama shopping raises the same handful of questions every time: which fabric actually sleeps cool, whether long or short sets make more sense, and how to wash sleepwear without ruining the feel. This sleepwear FAQ answers those directly, using real HOM pieces as examples so you can see how the details translate into nightly comfort.

Each answer stands on its own, so you can jump to the question that matches your situation rather than reading front to back.

What is the best fabric for pajamas?

There is no single best fabric, but cotton and cotton-jersey knits are the most reliable starting point for breathability and a naturally soft feel. If you sleep hot or want a smoother surface against your skin, a lyocell blend is worth considering. The Tencel Soft V-Neck T-Shirt uses 97% lyocell and 3% spandex, and lyocell is described as four times more absorbent than cotton, which helps with moisture through the night.

Match the fabric to your room and your body. Cool bedroom and you run cold: cotton jersey knit. Warm bedroom and you run hot: lighter cotton or a lyocell blend. If you are unsure, start with cotton and adjust from there.

  • Cotton and jersey knit: breathable, soft, easy to wash
  • Lyocell blends: smooth, highly absorbent, good for hot sleepers
  • Avoid guessing: check the fiber content on the label before buying

Should I choose long or short pajamas?

Long sets suit cooler rooms and colder months, while short sets work better when nights stay warm. The Jegor Long Pajama Set is a two-piece in cotton and jersey knit with a long-sleeved t-shirt-style top and pants, so it covers more skin and holds warmth. The Atlantic Short Pajama Set is 100% cotton with a short-sleeved tee and loose-fitting shorts, which lets more air move around you.

A practical approach is to own one of each and rotate by season. If you only want one set, pick based on the temperature of the room you actually sleep in, not the season on the calendar.

  • Long sleeves and pants for air-conditioned or cold bedrooms
  • Short sleeves and shorts for warm, humid nights
  • Two sets cover most of the year in mixed climates

How should pajamas fit?

Sleepwear should be loose enough to move with you but not so baggy that it twists around your body. The Atlantic Short Pajama Set is described with loose-fitting shorts, which is the right idea: room through the hips and thighs without excess fabric that bunches. Tops should allow you to raise your arms without the hem pulling up to your ribs.

If you are between sizes, size up for sleepwear rather than down. A slightly relaxed fit is more comfortable for sleeping than a close one, and it also reduces strain on seams over time.

  • Check shoulder and hip room first, since those are hardest to adjust
  • Size up rather than down if you are between sizes
  • Avoid tight waistbands that leave marks in the morning

How do I wash pajamas without ruining them?

Wash sleepwear in cold or cool water on a gentle cycle and skip harsh heat in the dryer. High heat is what makes cotton feel stiff and causes prints to fade over time. Turn printed pieces inside out before washing, which protects the surface of the print and reduces friction against other garments.

Use a mild detergent and avoid overloading the machine. Pajamas that get a full wash cycle with heavy items like towels wear out faster than pajamas washed with lighter clothing.

  • Cold or cool water, gentle cycle
  • Turn printed items inside out
  • Air dry or use low heat to protect fabric and prints

How often should I replace my pajamas?

There is no fixed schedule. Replace pajamas when the fabric feels thin, the elastic has lost its stretch, or the fit has changed enough that it disturbs your sleep. Wash wear is the main factor, so a set that is washed weekly will age faster than one in a larger rotation.

Keeping two or three sets in rotation spreads the wear and gives each piece time to recover between washes. That is also the easiest way to handle seasonal switching without buying new sleepwear every year.

  • Watch for thin fabric, stretched elastic, and pilling
  • Rotate two to three sets to extend the life of each
  • Replace when comfort drops, not on a calendar

Is it worth paying more for sleepwear?

It can be, if the extra cost goes into fabric quality and construction rather than branding alone. Better fabric holds its softness longer and resists pilling, which means you replace it less often. The Tencel Soft V-Neck T-Shirt is a good example of a basic where the fiber content, 97% lyocell and 3% spandex, is the reason it feels different from a standard cotton tee.

The honest tradeoff is care. Softer, finer fabrics often need gentler washing to stay that way. If you want low maintenance above all, a cotton jersey set is the safer pick; if comfort is the priority and you will wash carefully, the finer fabric is worth it.

  • Spend more for fabric and construction, not logos
  • Finer fabrics usually need gentler washing
  • Low maintenance: cotton jersey. Maximum softness: lyocell blends

Pajama question checklist

Fabric first

Check the fiber content before anything else. Cotton and jersey knit for breathability, lyocell blends for smoothness and absorbency. If you sleep hot, start with a lyocell blend or lightweight cotton.

Length by room temperature

Long sets for cool or air-conditioned rooms, short sets for warm nights. Base the choice on the room you sleep in, not the season. One long and one short set covers most of the year.

Fit with room to move

Loose through the hips and shoulders without excess fabric. Size up if you are between sizes. Tight waistbands and pulling hems are signs the fit is wrong.

Wash to last

Cold or cool water, gentle cycle, printed items inside out, low or no dryer heat. Heat is the main cause of stiff fabric and faded prints.

HOM sleepwear details that answer common questions

  • Jegor Long Pajama Set | Black Print 402723-I004: Two-piece in cotton and jersey knit with a long-sleeved t-shirt-style top and pants; the print uses geometric orange and red diamonds on a gray background across the top, with plain dark gray pants. A good match for cooler bedrooms and for sleepers who want a long set with a clear visual contrast between top and bottom.
  • Atlantic Short Pajama Set | Blue Stripes 403112-R0BI: Made from 100% cotton with a short-sleeved T-shirt with round neckline, red piping, and HOM logo, plus loose-fitting shorts in navy blue and red stripes. The breathable cotton and loose shorts suit warm nights, and the nautical stripes keep it presentable if you are not sleeping alone.
  • Tencel Soft V-Neck T-Shirt | White 402466-0003: Straight-cut v-neck in 97% lyocell and 3% spandex, described as four times more absorbent than cotton with a manufacturing process that uses little water. Works as a sleep top for hot sleepers or as a base layer, and the absorbency helps with night moisture.

Most pajama questions come down to fabric, fit, and washing. Get those three right and sleepwear stays comfortable far longer, whichever HOM set you choose.