Good pyjamas start with good fabric. It decides whether you feel warm or cool at night, whether the fabric wicks moisture and how the pyjamas survive washing. Below: a comparison of the fabrics used for the pyjamas in our shop and tips on what to choose for each season.
Pyjama fabrics at a glance
| Fabric | What it is like | When |
|---|---|---|
| Cotton | breathable, absorbs moisture, easy to wash | all year round |
| Flannel | cotton with a brushed, fluffy surface, warm and soft | autumn and winter |
| Viscose | smooth, flowing, cool to the touch | spring and summer |
| Modal | a type of viscose, very soft, keeps its shape well | summer and warmer bedrooms |
| Satin | slippery and shiny, elegant | as a gift and for special occasions |
| Fleece | the warmest, thick and fluffy | cold flats and winter |
Cotton: the choice for all year round
Cotton is the most popular pyjama fabric – more than half of the styles in our shop are cotton, both women's and men's. It lets air through, absorbs moisture and copes well with frequent washing, including at higher temperatures if the label allows. It suits people who are sometimes warm and sometimes cold at night. Added elastane helps pyjamas fit better and stretch out less.
Flannel: for cold nights
Flannel is cotton whose surface is brushed to create a soft, fluffy nap. This helps the fabric hold warmth while still breathing like cotton. The Key flannel pyjamas we stock are made of cotton flannel, often in a classic check, with a button-up shirt and long trousers. We have them in women's and men's versions, so it is easy to put together a matching pair for winter evenings.
Viscose and modal: for warm nights
Viscose is smooth, light and cool to the touch, which is why viscose pyjamas – often shorts with a strappy top – are chosen for summer. It drapes well on the body and does not cling to the skin. Modal is a type of viscose, even softer and more resistant to pilling. Both fabrics need gentler washing: at 30°C, without high-speed spinning and without a tumble dryer, because they may shrink.
Satin and fleece: two extremes
Satin pyjamas are slippery, shiny and elegant – a good choice for a gift or a special occasion. Satin made from synthetic fibres breathes less than cotton, so for people who sweat easily it works better for a shorter evening than for a whole night. Fleece is the opposite extreme: the warmest of the fabrics, for people who feel cold at night.
How to choose a pyjama size
Pyjamas should be loose: easy at the shoulders and hips, with legs that do not ride up when you bend your knees. If you are torn between two sizes, choose the larger one for cotton and flannel – they may shrink slightly after washing. For viscose and modal, stick to your usual size, because these fabrics drape well. Pyjamas are a common gift when you do not know the recipient's exact size – we cover this in a gift when you don't know the size.
All styles are in the pyjamas category, with separate women's pyjamas and men's pyjamas. Care symbols on the label are explained in how to read a label.