Why you need silk pajamas in your life
Sure, flannel pajamas are cozy, and some of the best pajamas for women are made of cotton, but there’s truly nothing like the feel of silk pajamas against your skin. “Silk is softer and smoother than both of those fabrics and is ideal for sleeping,” says sleep expert Smita Patel, DO. “Because it retains your skin’s natural moisture, it’s also a good body-temperature regulator, helping you stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter.”
For most of us, silk is a splurge—luxurious and expensive, so luckily, there are options for silky pajamas, too. Made of fabrics like polyester, rayon, and nylon, they’re more affordable and easier to care for than silk, but they still feel, well, silky. According to Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict and author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie, there’s a place in your wardrobe for both. “It’s important to remember that silk is a fiber and satin is a weave,” she says. “If you’re spending the money, make sure you’re buying real silk. If you’re looking for a more budget-friendly option, consider a fabric that has a lovely weight and ‘hand,’ an industry term for things that feel good to the touch.”
We’ve rounded up a selection of the best silk pajamas and the best silky pajamas—all of which feel super good to the touch—so you can sleep well at any price. Many even work as loungewear sets for lazy days at home and would make welcome Valentine’s Day gifts or great gifts for women (including, ahem, yourself) at any time of year. Once you’ve found your favorite, check out these women’s slippers and bathrobes to complete your cozy wardrobe.
LilySilk 22 Momme Chic Trimmed Silk Pajamas Set
LilySilk offers such an amazing selection of silk pajamas, it’s hard to choose just one set to feature, but this best seller is so popular, Meghan Trainor even wore it in a recent music video. The long-sleeve, button-down top and cropped pants are made of 100 percent grade 6A 22 momme mulberry silk—the industry’s gold standard—and feel as luxurious as they look. Plus, it comes in more than a dozen colors. Pair it with a silk pillowcase for the ultimate gift.
Highlights:
- Highest-quality silk
- OKEO-TEX certified, so these PJs are free of hazardous substances
Wknd Nation All Day PJ Pants Set
Made of 100 percent rayon that’s smooth as silk, this versatile set is lightweight and flowy, with flattering tulip side seams. The bralette/tank top and pants are comfy for sleeping, but they’re so much more than just pajamas. In fact, one five-star reviewer admits, “I wore it tonight to a New York City dinner and it was comfortable, chic, and super light for a warm summer night.”
Highlights:
- Built-in bralette
- Lightweight
Quince Silk Tank and Shorts Pajama Set
This summery set is so pretty, and, on top of its good looks, it’s also machine washable and well priced (under $80!). Made from 100 percent mulberry silk, it’s certified OEKO-TEX Standard 100 and feels luxurious against your skin. Hundreds of five-star reviewers agree, including Genevieve P., who writes, “The fabric is lovely, very soft, and the color is beautiful. Very comfortable too!” While you’re shopping on the Quince site, make sure to check out this $50 cashmere sweater that sells out every year.
Highlights:
- Affordable real-silk option
- Machine washable
Summersalt Cloud 9 Silky PJ Set
Lightweight and super soft, this best-selling set is crafted with 100 percent recycled, anti-microbial, and anti-static polyester charmeuse that five-star reviewers consistently call “silky.” The long-sleeve, V-neck button-down and pull-on, elastic-waistband pants both have a relaxed fit for comfy lounging, and they’re available in more than a dozen prints, including four stunning, sophisticated options created in partnership with the Rifle Paper Co. These would make the perfect gift for your sister or your stylish best friend.
Highlights:
- 14 colors and gorgeous prints
- Relaxed fit
- Pockets!
ThirdLove Washable Silk Shorts and Short Sleeve Top
These silk separates are not only thermoregulating and breathable, but they’re also machine washable, so you can wear them every night—and day. The shorts and dolman-style tee have a relaxed fit for those who move around in their sleep, but they work well anywhere, thanks to their casual elegance and the fact that each piece can be bought and worn separately and paired with everything from your favorite jeans to tanks.
Highlights:
- Loungewear appeal
- Machine washable
- Relaxed fit
Soma Sensual Washable Silk Pajama Set
Soma calls this color “Hush,” but you won’t want to stay quiet about how much you love these machine-washable shorty pajamas. Made from 100 percent silk, the set features a V-neck camisole with adjustable straps and shorts with an elasticized waist for extra comfort. It feels sumptuous against your skin, and it’s machine washable. If you tend to run hot at night, these cooling blankets and cooling pajamas will also come in handy.
Highlights:
- Adjustable straps
- Machine washable
Skims Silk Sleep Pant and Open Neckline Sleep Top
These beautiful sleepwear pieces from Kim Kardashian’s Skims are sold separately, so you can buy each one in XS to 4X—and look good at any size. Made of 95 percent silk with 5 percent Spandex for stretch and added comfort, the pull-on pants are high-waisted for style. Pair them with a matching sleep top, a modern take on the classic button-down, in your choice of four colors and show them off in an Instagram selfie like an influencer. Skims, by the way, also makes some of the best shapewear.
Highlights:
- Sold separately
- Available in sizes XS to 4X
- Modern style
Cuyana Washable Charmeuse Tapered Pant and High-Low Top
No one will blame you if you wear these silk separates out of the house because they’re too stylish to be confined to the bedroom. Plus, they’re machine washable, so they’re practical. Both pieces have lots of flattering details—the short-sleeve high-low top has a back pleat and dramatic hemline, while the tapered pant features side slanted pockets and subtle slits at the bottom hems—and a relaxed, easy fit.
Highlights:
- Bluesign certified for sustainability
- Machine washable
- Pockets
Johnny Was Brooklyn Butterfly-Print Silk Pajama Set
These eye-popping silk pajamas from beloved bohemian brand Johnny Was are as bold and beautiful as you are. Bursting with flowers and butterflies, the short-sleeve top has a collared neckline and boxy silhouette, while the pants give you plenty of room to move around. You’ll want to wear this set all the time, whether you’re cocooning at home or getting ready to fly. Wondering how to wash silk at home? We’ve got step-by-step directions so you can keep your silk pajamas in tip-top shape.
Highlights:
- Vintage boho-chic style
- Roomy fit
Reveal Washed Satin Long Pajama Set
Available in four colors and sizes XS to 3XL, these silky pajamas are a deal, ringing in at just $35. The soft satin set features a long-sleeve, button-down shirt with contrasting trim and long pants with a no-dig elastic waistband and matching contrasting trim. Bonus: It’s all machine washable, so you can sleep worry-free.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Available in sizes XS to 3XL
Fishers Finery 100% Mulberry Silk Classic Full Length Pajama Set
This sleepwear staple comes in a rainbow of colors, but we’re partial to Romantic Red, which turns every day into Valentine’s Day. Made from pure mulberry silk, the long-sleeve top has a button front with silk-covered buttons, and the full-length pant features a drawstring and French seams. It even comes in its own gift box, making it a perfect gift for that special someone.
Highlights:
- Available in seven colors
- Generous fit
- Comes in a gift box
Rachel Parcell Satin Jacquard Pajama Set
You’ll shine like the star you are in this pretty-in-pink-starred sleep set. Perfect for watching the Oscars with your gal pals, the two-piece PJ set is made of polyester jacquard with matching piping and a drawstring tie at the waist. It’s a winner…and we’re seriously obsessed. If you’re the type who’s always hot at night, you can also get this pattern in a short-sleeve and shorts set.
Highlights:
- Luxe look for $90
- Stretch waist with drawstring
- Available in sizes XXS to XXL
Escalier Silk Satin 3-Piece Pajama Set
With more than 3,100 five-star reviews, this Amazon’s Choice set is a great buy, giving you three sleep pieces at a budget price. For less than $30, you’ll get a silky soft cami and long pants, plus a matching robe for more lounging options. Available in 10 lush prints, this ensemble looks expensive (something that happily surprised a number of Amazon reviewers once they tried it on), but it’s affordable enough that you can consider treating yourself to a second one.
Highlights:
- Under-$30 price point
- 10 gorgeous prints
Hanro Lucy Modal-Silk Pajama Set
Hanro is a favorite splurge brand, and when you try on this set, you’ll immediately understand why. The modal/silk blend is scrumptious, and the fit is relaxed yet super flattering. Both the pullover V-neck top and long, flowy pants are trimmed in lace and are machine washable, so you can wear them over and over again.
Highlights:
- High-end fabric
- Wide lace trim at the neck and pant cuffs
Belle’s Design Shop Personalized Short Pajama Set
Let everyone know these cute silky pajamas are yours! They come in a dozen hues and you can get your name, initials, monogram, or even your favorite word emblazoned on them in the font and color of your choice. The short-sleeve, button-down top and shorts are handmade from soft satin silk, and you’ll be happily surprised by their value price. (Seriously, we’re talking under $20!) They’re perfect as a surprise for your besties during a girls’ weekend getaway or for your bridesmaids before the big day. While you’re shopping, check out these other Etsy gifts for everyone in your life.
Highlights:
- Affordable
- Can personalize with a name or monogram
- Available in 12 colors and sizes S to 2XL
Papinelle Love Letter Floral Print Silk Pajamas
These lovely pajamas are abloom with flowers, not to mention style and comfort. Luxurious in 100 percent silk, they feature a long-sleeve, button-down top with button cuffs and high-rise pants that are so comfy, they’ll make you want to plant yourself in bed.
Highlights:
- High-rise bottoms
- Available in sizes XS to XXL
Nordstrom Washable Silk Pajamas
These silk pajamas are lightweight but so rich and indulgent, they just may make you stand a little taller and sleep a little better. Menswear-inspired but unmistakably feminine, they come in four colors and are machine washable to keep you looking like a boss.
Highlights:
- Elastic waist with drawstring
- Machine washable
SWOMOG Silk Satin Pajamas
Get ready to go dotty over this cute and super affordable Amazon best seller with more than 9,000 five-star reviews. Soft and silky, these PJs are machine washable and feature a short-sleeve, button-down top with matching elastic waist shorts. Not into polka dots? There are lots of other prints and solids to choose from, and they’re all a dream. “I kid you not, I’ve ordered over 30 different brands over the years on Amazon, and this one beats them all,” writes one happy customer. “They’re soft on both the inside and the out, and they’re light, silky, and breathable. Definitely worth it.”
Highlights:
- Under-$25 price point
- 12 colors and fun prints
Victoria’s Secret Satin Long PJ Set
These silky pajamas are nice and roomy, and they’re as stylish as they are comfortable. The long-sleeve, button-down top hits below the hip for a flattering fit, and the flowy pants have a drawstring waist. The set is available in a variety of colors and prints and your choice of three lengths. Reviewers rave that they’re oh-so-soft and love the selection of neutral to bold hues.
Highlights:
- Drawstring waist
- Five colors and patterns
Natori Jersey Essentials Silk PJ
These black silk pajamas are so elegant, they deserve a night out. Although they’re meant for curling up in bed or lounging on the couch, they’re sophisticated enough to be dressed up with jewelry and heels. Soft and stretchy, they’re an indulgence that will make you feel like a queen.
Highlights:
- 100 percent silk, with a modal and elastane combo
- Part of your purchase will go toward a charitable cause, making them a great gift that gives back
StudioLapove Premium Mulberry Silk Pajama Set
Silk is genderless, and so are these classic pajamas that look and feel good on anyone, including the guy in your life. Handmade from premium mulberry silk in navy or ivory, their timeless style—long-sleeve, button-down top with contrasting piping and long pants—makes them ideal for couples, BFFs, bridal parties, and even families. If you’re looking for more pajamas for men, we’ve got plenty of options in that category, too.
Highlights:
- Unisex
- Etsy seller takes into account your height and waist size for the perfect fit
Sources:
- Cora Harrington, founder of The Lingerie Addict and author of In Intimate Detail: How to Choose, Wear, and Love Lingerie
- Smita Patel, DO, founder and medical director of the iNeuro Institute