Pajama Glossary of Terms

Your Complete Guide to Pajama & Sleepwear Terminology

Welcome to the most comprehensive pajama glossary on the web! Whether you're shopping for footed pajamas, union suits, onesies, or traditional sleepwear, understanding the terminology helps you find exactly what you're looking for. This guide covers everything from fabric types to design features, sizing terms to style names.

Quick Navigation: A | B | C | D | E | F | G | H | I | J | K | L | M | N | O | P | Q | R | S | T | U | V | W | X | Y | Z

A

Adult Footed Pajamas: One-piece sleepwear designed for adults with built-in feet. Also called adult footie pajamas or adult onesies. Features often include drop seats, extended sizing, and premium fabrics. Shop adult footed pajamas.

All-in-One Pajamas: Another term for one-piece sleepwear that covers the entire body, including onesies, union suits, and footed pajamas.

Anti-Pill Fleece: Fleece fabric treated to resist pilling (formation of small fabric balls) even after multiple washes, maintaining a smooth, soft appearance.

B

Blanket Sleeper: Traditional term for footed pajamas, especially for children. Named because they provide warmth similar to sleeping under a blanket. The built-in feet and full-body coverage eliminate the need for additional blankets.

Brushed Cotton: Cotton fabric that has been brushed to raise the fibers, creating a softer, warmer surface. Common in flannel pajamas.

Butt Flap: Informal term for a drop seat. A functional opening in the back of one-piece pajamas secured with buttons or snaps for easy bathroom access. Shop drop seat styles.

Button-Front Pajamas: Traditional pajama tops that fasten with buttons down the front, as opposed to pullover or zippered styles.

C

Chenille: A soft, fuzzy fabric with a distinctive pile, often used in robes and luxury sleepwear. The name comes from the French word for caterpillar due to its fuzzy appearance.

Chin Guard: A protective fabric flap at the top of a zipper that prevents the zipper from pinching or irritating the chin and neck area.

Cotton Jersey: A soft, stretchy knit fabric made from cotton. Lightweight and breathable, perfect for year-round sleepwear comfort.

Cotton Pajamas: Sleepwear made from natural cotton fibers. Breathable, soft, and gentle on sensitive skin. Shop cotton pajamas.

Coverall: Another term for one-piece garments, sometimes used interchangeably with onesies or union suits.

D

Drawstring Waist: An adjustable waist closure using a cord threaded through the waistband, allowing for a customizable fit on pajama bottoms.

Drop Seat: A functional panel in the back of one-piece pajamas that opens (usually with buttons or snaps) for easy bathroom access without removing the entire garment. Essential feature in adult footed pajamas. Shop drop seat pajamas.

E

Elastic Waist: A waistband with elastic sewn in, providing stretch and comfort without the need for buttons, snaps, or drawstrings.

Extended Sizes: Sizing beyond standard ranges, typically including plus sizes (1X-6XL) to ensure everyone can find comfortable sleepwear.

F

Flannel: A soft woven fabric, typically made from cotton or a cotton blend, with a slightly napped surface. Classic material for cozy winter pajamas.

Fleece: A soft, warm synthetic fabric (usually polyester) with a plush texture. Popular for footed pajamas due to its warmth, softness, and durability. Shop fleece pajamas.

Footed Pajamas: One-piece sleepwear with built-in feet, providing complete coverage from neck to toes. Also called footie pajamas, footies, or blanket sleepers. Shop footed pajamas.

Footie Pajamas: Informal term for footed pajamas. The built-in feet keep toes warm and eliminate the need for socks.

Footless Onesie: A one-piece pajama without attached feet, ending at the ankles. Offers the convenience of a onesie with the option to wear separate socks or go barefoot. Shop footless onesies.

French Terry: A knit fabric with a smooth outer surface and looped pile on the inside. Soft, absorbent, and comfortable for loungewear.

G

Gripper Feet: Non-slip traction dots or patterns on the soles of footed pajamas that provide grip on smooth floors like hardwood, tile, or laminate. Essential safety feature for preventing slips.

Gusset: A triangular or diamond-shaped piece of fabric sewn into a garment (often at the crotch) to provide extra room, reinforcement, and comfort.

H

Henley: A collarless pullover shirt style with a partial button placket at the neck. Popular style for pajama tops.

Hooded Onesie: A one-piece pajama with an attached hood for extra warmth and a playful look. Shop hooded styles.

I

Inseam: The measurement from the crotch seam to the bottom of the pant leg. Important for determining proper pajama bottom length.

Interlock Knit: A type of knit fabric with a smooth surface on both sides. More structured than jersey knit, with less stretch but better shape retention.

J

Jersey Knit: A soft, stretchy knit fabric commonly used in comfortable sleepwear. Named after the Isle of Jersey where it was first produced.

Jumpsuit: A one-piece garment that covers the torso and legs. In sleepwear, often used interchangeably with onesie or union suit. Shop jumpsuits.

K

Kids Footed Pajamas: Footed pajamas designed specifically for children, featuring fun prints, easy closures, and safety features like non-slip feet. Available from infant through teen sizes. Shop kids' pajamas.

Knit Fabric: Fabric made by interlocking loops of yarn, creating a stretchy, comfortable material. Common in t-shirt style pajamas and onesies.

L

Long Johns: Traditional term for thermal underwear or union suits, typically worn as a base layer for warmth. Often made from waffle-knit or thermal fabric.

Loungewear: Comfortable clothing designed for relaxing at home. Includes pajamas, robes, onesies, and other cozy garments suitable for both sleeping and casual wear.

M

Matching Family Pajamas: Coordinating pajama sets available in sizes for all family members, from infant to adult. Popular for holiday photos and family traditions. Shop matching sets.

Microfleece: A lightweight, thin fleece fabric that provides warmth without bulk. Softer and less fuzzy than traditional fleece.

Modal: A soft, breathable fabric made from beech tree pulp. Silky smooth texture, excellent drape, and moisture-wicking properties make it popular for luxury sleepwear.

N

Nightgown: A loose-fitting garment worn for sleeping, typically for women and girls. Can be short (nightie) or long (full-length).

Nightshirt: A long shirt worn for sleeping, similar to a nightgown but typically less fitted. Often reaches mid-thigh or knee length.

Non-Slip Feet: See Gripper Feet. The traction soles on footed pajamas that prevent slipping on smooth surfaces.

O

Onesie: A one-piece garment, originally a trademarked term for infant bodysuits but now commonly used for adult and children's one-piece pajamas. Can be footed or footless. Shop onesies.

One-Piece Pajamas: Any sleepwear that consists of a single garment covering the torso and legs, including onesies, union suits, and footed pajamas.

P

Pajama Bottoms: The pants portion of two-piece pajama sets. Can feature elastic waists, drawstrings, or both.

Pajama Set: Matching top and bottom sleepwear pieces sold together, typically including a shirt and pants or shorts.

Pilling: The formation of small fabric balls on the surface of material due to friction and wear. Quality fleece is treated to resist pilling.

Polar Fleece: A thick, warm fleece fabric originally developed for outdoor wear. Provides excellent insulation while remaining breathable.

Polyester: A synthetic fabric commonly used in fleece pajamas. Durable, wrinkle-resistant, and retains warmth even when damp.

Q

Quilted: Fabric with a layer of padding between two layers of material, stitched in a decorative pattern. Sometimes used in robes and luxury sleepwear for extra warmth.

R

Raglan Sleeves: Sleeves that extend in one piece to the collar, with diagonal seams from underarm to neckline. Provides ease of movement and a sporty look.

Relaxed Fit: A looser, roomier cut that provides comfort and freedom of movement without being tight or restrictive. Standard fit for most footed pajamas.

Robe: A loose outer garment worn over pajamas or nightwear, typically featuring a belt or tie closure.

Romper: A one-piece garment with short legs, similar to a onesie but typically worn as daywear. In sleepwear, refers to short-legged one-piece pajamas.

S

Satin: A smooth, glossy fabric with a lustrous surface. Used in luxury sleepwear and robes for an elegant look and silky feel.

Separates: Pajama tops and bottoms sold individually rather than as a matched set, allowing mix-and-match options.

Shrinkage: The reduction in size that can occur when fabric is washed and dried. Quality pajamas are pre-shrunk to minimize this effect.

Sleeper: Another term for footed pajamas or blanket sleepers, especially for children.

Sleepwear: General term for any clothing designed to be worn for sleeping, including pajamas, nightgowns, robes, and onesies.

Snaps: Metal or plastic fasteners used as closures on pajamas, particularly on drop seats and infant onesies. Easier to use than buttons.

Stretchies: Informal term for stretchy, form-fitting pajamas, often made from jersey knit or other elastic fabrics.

T

Tagless: Garments without sewn-in fabric tags, instead using printed labels to prevent irritation and itching.

Thermal: Fabric designed to provide extra warmth, typically featuring a waffle-knit or honeycomb texture that traps heat. Common in long johns and winter sleepwear.

Two-Piece Pajamas: Traditional pajama sets consisting of separate top and bottom pieces.

U

Union Suit: A one-piece undergarment covering the torso and legs, traditionally featuring a button-front closure and sometimes a drop seat. Historical predecessor to modern onesies and footed pajamas.

Unisex: Designed to be worn by any gender. Most footed pajamas and onesies feature unisex styling and sizing.

V

V-Neck: A neckline cut in a V-shape, common in pajama tops for a more open, comfortable fit around the neck.

W

Waffle Knit: A textured knit fabric with a grid pattern resembling a waffle. Provides warmth while remaining breathable, popular in thermal sleepwear.

Wicking: The ability of fabric to draw moisture away from the skin, keeping you dry and comfortable. An important feature in performance sleepwear.

X

XL, XXL, XXXL: Extended size designations (Extra Large, Double Extra Large, Triple Extra Large). Many footed pajamas are available up to 6XL for inclusive sizing.

Y

Yarn-Dyed: Fabric made from yarn that was dyed before weaving or knitting, resulting in more colorfast, durable colors that resist fading.

Z

Zipper Closure: A fastening system using interlocking teeth, common in footed pajamas and onesies. Full-length zippers make getting in and out easy, while protective chin guards prevent pinching.

Zipper Guard: See Chin Guard. A protective flap that covers the top of a zipper to prevent skin irritation.

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