Alright, alright, I know this is rather random. You’re probably all planning your bijou World Cup parties right now, not wondering about the best pyjamas on the High Street right now!
You’re not? You are? Well thank God for me then.
I am a pyjama nutter. My children have about 48 pairs each and I have thousands. They’re not even that nice – I don’t spend thousands on Desmond and Dempsey or Olivia Von Halle. I just have a lot of options.
We didn’t really have new clothes as children (it was the Eighties, what child did?) and I definitely didn’t own a new pair of pyjamas until I was about 11.
So now when I spot a really good pair of pyjamas, they have to be mine.
This pair (above) is particularly good if you are sharing any accommodation this summer or will be in any situation where you will be publicly seen in your PJs.
The cotton is beautifully lightweight but not so soft that I fear it will fall apart within 3 washes; the dark colour will hide tea splashes and smears of croissant grease; the cropped length will keep the hems clear of spills and puddles and the cropped sleeves are cooling and will not need to be rolled up in order to sort breakfasts.
At £45 these are many, many pounds cheaper than a comparable D&D set, which are about £130. The sizing is pretty generous – I got an M and it’s big, but I am keeping it because I like a roomy pyjama. If you are a small 10, get an S.
If you are somewhere unbelievably hot at night you can sleep in something else but then put these on to face the world. They also work, of course, for a UK summer if you are bored with answering the door to the Ocado man in really scummy nightwear.
It is a mistake, as I’m sure you have worked out by now, to buy any sort of “shortie” pyjama set. It might seem like a good idea at the time, but if you have to bustle about with your family first thing, you will simply flash your [insert euphemism for bum here] to absolutely everyone.
These pyjamas are also available on John Lewis, if you have some other business there and would like to add these to your basket to make a next day delivery worth it.
The one drawback to these is that they have a drawstring waist so you have to untie and re-tie when going to the loo. But I have decided this is a small price to pay for an otherwise great set of pyjamas.
Just by the by, I have also had to adjust Kitty’s pyjamas – she used to wear shortie sets but the shorts wedge themselves up her crack and now she’s seven, it’s just not funny any more – so she wears these cropped sets from Boden. Is it just me or is it quite hard to find a cropped-length summer pyjama for girls? It seems to be hot shorts or nothing. Anyway so I’m quite pleased with this find.
But do they need ironing???
errr….
My daughter has just gone over to rather genteel nightgowns. She’s sleeping better in them as they don’t bother her like shorts and rogue pyjama legs. They are very soft and come past her knee and with a couple of plaits in she looks like she might be in Little House on the Prairie, only without patient, resilient, and wise parents.
😂. I informed my husband last night that, on reflection, I did not want a Gucci belt for my birthday because I could not be arsed to undo it when I went to the loo.
I love Jigsaw pyjamas! I know what you mean about short pyjamas for girls but can recommend these ones from John Lewis – the shorts are almost knee length and straight fitting so don’t get all bunched up https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-girls'-seaside-pyjamas-pack-of-2-multi/p3505352
Snap! I literally bought those last night for my preschooler. I agree about girls short pyjamas. Naff or deeply dubious with their alarmingly short shorts.
Esther, I just got these two pairs for my 7 yr old
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-girls'-stripe-short-pyjamas-black-white/p3497252
https://www.johnlewis.com/john-lewis-girls'-snooze-club-short-pyjamas-pink-grey/p3497256?size=8-years
Interestingly they start at age 8 but I ordered them anyway because they’re not naff and cutesy (big no no from her indoors). They may be massive :-/
big pyjamas are good. more comfy. thanks for drawing our attention to these Emily xxx
I too love good PJ’s.
Cannot recommend PJ Pan highly enough.
https://www.pjpan.co.uk
http://www.cyberjammies.co.uk
Do the most lovely, light, modal/cotton pjs for women and kids. Great PJ shorts for men too.
I just LOVE your posts Esther.
Even if they have zero personal relevance, they always make a smile and often laugh out loud (which can make me a bit scary if alone in public…but who really cares?)
While on the subject of pyjamas, your way is the only way: I once had an unspeakably embarrassing time involving babydoll pyjamas (count yourself lucky if you have no idea what I’m talking about), a drama summer school and a locked bedroom door 🙈.
Babydolls – remember the well; now just tacky-sounding
I mean really WHAT are baby doll pyjamas
The sort of thing some old men like to imagine young girls wearing to bed – I had lace-trimmed pink gingham with little ribbon ties. Short shorts and a top. Sort of childish but knowing – like Lolita. Yeuch
LOL
Share your concerns regarding the ties on waist. Are these too funky to be considered?
https://www.marksandspencer.com/en-nl/pure-cotton-floral-print-pyjama-set–/p/P60159210.html?dwvar_P60159210_color=E4
I object to the flouncing
Yep on second thoughts so do I ….
I don’t know any woman that doesn’t love her pyjamas. Why is this?
because our pyjamas are the one thing that are ours and ours alone and no-one can fuck with them or take them from us
Swapping the drawstring for elastic should be a fairly quick and simple alteration for your sewing machine/local tailor. Worth it if these are going to be on long-term rotation?
I bought these on your recommendation and they arrived today! I am a size 14/16 and the large fit beautifully!! They look great and fed very soft! Great for a trip to Center parcs with the in-laws who really DO not need to see the best I usually sleep in!😂😂
sarah a trip to Center Parcs with in laws is exactly what these were designed for xxx
UPDATE- mother in law ‘likes’ them but feels I look very much like a hospital matron!! I am loving them however and could turn my hand to some basic first aid if needed!!😂
I ONLY buy PJs that you rec. I can’t afford jack shit at the minute but am buying these because they look ace. Also – I bought the ones you mentioned with great ‘sweft’ last year from Asos and whilst lovely and soft they are a crumpled mess most days… I don’t iron – life is too short. Thank you for these. I am buying immediately x
They are fantastic. I have worn often and they do not disappoint