How to Choose the Right Fabric for Your Sleepwear

When it comes to getting a good night's sleep, one of the most important factors to consider is your choice of sleepwear.

The fabric you choose impacts not only the way you look and feel, but also the way you sleep. We recommend opting for natural, breathable materials such as cotton, silk or bamboo, they will help regulate your temperature as you sleep and that means you’ll sleep better and wake up refreshed. If you’re prone to overheating at night or suffer with hot flushes, its best to avoid synthetic materials like polyester, which can trap heat and moisture leading to an uncomfortable and disrupted sleep.

Soft, smooth fabrics like silk or quality cotton can comfort and soothe your skin so avoid rough or scratchy materials that could irritate your skin and disrupt sleep.

This guide highlights the qualities of different fabrics to help you decide which sleepwear is best suited to your needs.

Cotton is a natural fibre that comes from the cotton plant. Whilst cotton is easy to wear and a very popular choice for sleepwear, it is not always kind on the environment. The picture is very different however for organic cotton farming which replaces the harmful inputs of intensive cotton – like nitrogen fertilisers and pesticides – with less harmful natural replacements, making cultivation less detrimental to the environment. Certification is the best way to know that what you are buying is truly sustainable and the GOTS certification represents the gold standard for organic textiles.

Achieving GOTS certification is a rigorous process, it guarantees that products are produced responsibly, respecting both the environment and workers’ rights. This includes the utilisation of organically farmed fibres, the prohibition of hazardous chemicals, and the enforcement of fair labour practices and decent wages. GOTS certified cotton is globally acknowledged not just for its sustainable and ethical production, but also for its superior quality.

Myza is dedicated to producing its cotton sleepwear in a manner that is both sustainable and ethical, so it uses only 100% GOTS certified organic cotton for its women’s and children’s sleepwear.

The natural fibres of cotton allow air to circulate freely, preventing overheating and keeping you cool throughout the night. 

Although it does not share linen’s moisture wicking properties so can take longer to dry, cotton is one of the best moisture-absorbing fabrics around, making it a popular choice for those people who tend to sweat heavily or experience hot flushes during the night

Organic cotton is free from harsh chemicals and is hypoallergenic therefore ideal for sensitive skins and allergies. It reduces the risk of skin irritations compared to synthetic fabrics or conventionally grown cotton thereby ensuring a safe and comfortable sleep environment. 

Cotton fibres are fluffier than linen fibres and quality cotton fabric is known for its softness, and comfort.

Though linen is the stronger fibre naturally, cotton fabric, made from several cotton fibres spun and woven together, is also resilient. As cotton fibres are finer than linen fibres, they can be woven into higher thread count fabrics for a soft and silky feel. Minimal exposure to chemicals makes the fibres of organic cotton especially strong and resilient. With proper care, cotton sleepwear should last for many years.

Linen is one of the most eco-friendly fabrics. A natural fibre, this strong material is resilient and can grow in poor soil, using significantly less water during production than other fabrics. The entire linen crop is also utilised, and it is a renewable, biodegradable and recyclable resource.

Linen provides year-round comfort keeping you cool in summer and cosy in winter thanks to its high air permeability which helps regulate your body temperature.

Linen has a natural ability of moisture-wicking, the fabric itself can absorb up to 20% of its weight in moisture meaning you can stay dry and fresher for longer. If you tend to sweat heavily during the night or suffer with hot flushes, linen sleepwear may be the perfect choice.

Linen is hypoallergenic so suitable for sensitive skins and allergies.

Although linen often feels quite crisp initially, it will soften and grow more comfortable with each wash and use.

Linen fabric is incredibly durable and stain resistant. As its fibres are thicker than cotton fibres, a lower thread count can guarantee high quality. With proper care, linen can last for many years.

Bamboo is a sustainable crop that can be grown without the use of pesticides or herbicides. This makes it a more environmentally friendly choice than many other fabrics.

Bamboo is a breathable fabric, which allows air to circulate freely. It possesses inherent thermo-regulating properties, keeping the body cool in hot weather and warm in colder temperatures making bamboo sleepwear versatile for year-round wear.

Bamboo fabric is very absorbent, but it also wicks moisture away from the body quickly. This helps to keep you cool and dry throughout the night, so a good choice if you tend to sweat a lot or suffer with hot flushes.

Bamboo is a hypoallergenic fabric which naturally resists dust mites and mould growth, so less likely to trigger allergies or skin irritation making it a good option for people with allergies or sensitive skin. 

Bamboo fabric is soft and smooth against the skin so a good choice for people with sensitive skin or allergies.

Despite its softness, bamboo fabric is durable, making it a long-lasting option for sleepwear. The fabric retains its shape and quality even with frequent use and washing

Tencel is made from cellulose by the Austrian company Lenzing. Despite its reliance on water-intensive eucalyptus trees, its closed-loop production system significantly reduces chemical waste and water usage, making it a very eco-friendly choice. It still requires wood pulp extraction, which is carbon intensive, but overall, it has a far lower carbon footprint than many other textile alternatives and does not require the use of pesticides. Tencel fabric can naturally break down without causing harm to the environment.

Tencel fabric is breathable allowing air to circulate freely. This aids temperature regulation, keeping you cool on the hottest nights. 

Tencel fabric has excellent moisture absorption properties, ensuring the fabric remains dry even in humid conditions. The fabric efficiently wicks moisture away from the body, preventing discomfort caused by sweat.

Tencel is a hypoallergenic fabric so suitable for allergy sufferers and those with sensitive skins.

Tencel fabric has a soft, smooth and silky texture, providing a luxurious feel against the skin. 

Tencel fabric although soft is also durable with strong colour retention and is less prone to wrinkling than other comparable fabrics. 

Silk is a natural, renewable and biodegradable resource that calls for less use of water and chemicals than most other fabrics. Organic silk is an eco-friendly choice as it avoids using harmful chemicals and pesticides, reducing the environmental impact compared to conventional silk production.

Silk is highly breathable, allowing air to circulate and moisture to evaporate. This helps to prevent excessive sweating and keeps you dry throughout the night. Silk is a thermal regulator and natural insulator that will you keep you cool in hot weather and warm in colder temperatures making it versatile for year-round wear.

With its moisture-wicking ability. silk absorbs sweat and promote its evaporation away from the skin. This means wearers can enjoy a dry and comfortable night sleep. 

Silk is naturally hypoallergenic, antimicrobial, and smooth on the skin so suitable for allergy sufferers and for those with sensitive skins. It also does not absorb moisture or natural oils from the skin which can help prevent dryness, irritation and avoids sleep creases. 

Silk is incredibly lightweight, soft and smooth to the touch.

Silk is strong and durable and if treated with proper care will last for several years.