The Dos and Don'ts of Shopping for Pajamas

An overwhelming 74% of American citizens wear pajamas to bed every night, while 8% sleep naked, and the remaining population reports wearing "something else." But after wearing pajamas night after night for so long, it may be time to invest in a new set. If you're on the lookout for the next great set of pajamas, here are a couple of dos and don'ts you may want to keep in mind.

Do Confirm Pajama Measurements
Every brand of pajamas is going to fit differently, and depending on the brand and material, you want to make sure all of the measurements are appropriate. When in doubt, buyers should always purchase a larger size rather than a smaller size, in part because pajamas are a form of comfort wear, making it perfectly acceptable for them to be loose-fitting. In addition, you can probably expect about a seven percent shrinkage rate after normal wash and dry cycles.

Do Consider Material
Not all pajama fabrics are equal! Some fabrics are better than others, and the best include cotton, silk, and flannel. Some parents prefer childrens pajamas to be fleece, but fleece fabric can vary in thickness on a scale of 100 to 300 with 300 being the thickest.

Do Consider Care
You may think that all pajamas for adults have the same washing instructions, but that isn't true. Especially with silk pajamas, dry cleaning is often required. So before you make a purchase, check the care instructions and make sure you can abide by them.

Don't Ignore Comfort
Only four in every 10 American citizens get the recommended amount of sleep every night, and believe it or not, sometimes pajamas are to blame. If you're shopping for pajamas, comfort should always be at the top of your list of priorities. Footed pajamas may be comfortable for kids, but pajamas for adults come in more varieties and you need to pay attention to your comfort level.

Don't Ignore Your Sleeping Preferences
When shopping for adult pajamas, it's important to consider the sleeping habits you've cultivated over the years. If you like keeping cool while you sleep, don't buy flannel pajamas! Similarly, if you like being extra cozy at night, then perhaps cotton isn't the best material.

While humans spend a lot of time in bed, even more time is spent in pajamas. Whether it's a work from home kind of day, or just your regular lazy Saturday, make sure that your pajamas fit your lifestyle and preferences.