The Best Things to Wear to Bed

There’s a lot of advice out there about how to get restful sleep. You probably know to turn off your devices an hour before bed, go to bed at the same time every night and keep your room between 60 and 67 degrees.

But something we may not consider is whether our sleepwear (or lack thereof) is keeping us up at night.

According to one survey, 52% of people sleep partially clothed, 31% sleep fully clothed and 17% snooze in their birthday suits. However, these numbers can vary by study or age. (For example, 67% of Millennials sleep in the nude.)

But is one method really better than all the others? Not exactly, but studies tend to lean toward these three methods:

Donning Cozy Socks
While some people consider it “weird” to sleep in socks, nearly one-third of the population does it. Maybe it’s because wearing socks to bed increases circulation, regulates body temperature, minimizes menopausal hot flashes and helps us sleep better. In fact, one study found that wearing socks in a 63-degree bedroom helped people fall asleep 7.5 minutes faster, sleep 32 minutes longer and have fewer awakenings than those who didn’t wear socks. Just remember not to sleep in compression socks, as they can raise your body temperature and slow circulation, leading to sleep disturbances.

Sporting Wool Pajamas
The Sleep Foundation recommends cooling pajamas made from cotton, silk, linen and plant fibers. However, a 2023 review of studies found that wool was the best material for sleeping in cool temperatures because it regulates body temperature and wicks moisture. People who wore wool pajamas also fell asleep 10 to 15 minutes faster, stayed asleep longer and got deeper sleep than those who wore polyester or cotton blend pajamas. This may be your best bet if you’re a hot, sweaty sleeper, since moisture-absorbing, quick-drying PJs help keep you from sleeping in a pool of sweat.

Wearing Nothing at All
Sleeping “in the buff” can help regulate body temperature, improve insulin sensitivity, boost metabolism and help you fall asleep faster. This is partly because the cold activates brown fat cells, which burn energy and calories to keep us warm. Sleeping naked has also been associated with reduced bacterial and fungal infections, improved vaginal health and better male fertility. If you choose this route, just remember to wash your sheets at least once a week to remove sweat, oils and dead skin cells.

Ultimately, what you choose to wear—or not wear—is up to you. But if your current sleepwear isn’t working for you, maybe it’s time to try something new.

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