Fleece versus Flannel Pajamas: Which women's pajamas are the best for you?
Picking the perfect winter pajamas is not easy when you are a woman. You want your jammies to be warm, but not too warm. They need to be cozy, without appearing sloppy. You love the feel of cozy fleece pajamas, but long for a pair of cotton flannel pajamas that you would probably move into if they were a housing option. You’d also probably like them to look good too, and we get it. Knowing what to look for when picking new pajamas can be tricky. So let's start weighing the pros and cons.
What type of sleeper are you?
First, you’ll want to consider what type of sleeper you are by answering the following questions.
- Do you sleep hot or cold?
- Do you sleep with many blankets?
- What is your sleep environment like?
- What has been your experience with different types of sleepwear in the past?
Dr. Michael Breus from thesleepdoctor.com says: “Just like sleepwear itself, there is no ‘one size fits all’ solution for selecting the right nightwear. Finding the right sleepwear for you depends entirely on your unique sleep patterns and circumstances. It may take some experimentation to find the right solution for you to sleep most comfortably…” So, while you might love the idea of one type of fabric, it may not be the best fit for you. It could be a fabric you’ve never tried or considered. So, keep an open mind as you search.
Optimal Sleep Temperature
According to The Sleep Foundation, the optimal temperature for sleep is approximately 65 degrees Fahrenheit. While this may not sound warm-ish, when you have to get out of bed into a house that is much cooler than your bed, it’s very uncomfortable.
The Wall Street Journal also did a report on a study about optimal sleep temperatures as well. It turns out that the temperature of your room actually plays a large role in the quality of your sleep. You’ll go into a deeper sleep if it’s cooler in your home. They also mentioned that your pajamas and bedding play a role too! Evaluating if you sleep warm or cold can help you when picking pajamas or deciding to wear socks to bed.
In addition, being able to wear pajamas made of fleece or flannel will not only help you stay warm in bed, but they should help you stay warmer as you start the waking up process and walking around your home too. So, picking the type of pajama that does this for you is important as well. Let’s explore what makes fleece and flannel pajamas great, so it’s easier to pick which might work best for you and your sleep situation.
Flannel Pajamas
Flannel is made from cotton, a soft, natural material. Cotton is also naturally absorbent. It can also shrink a bit in the wash, so if they fit snugly from the start, you might want to size up. Cotton flannel pajamas may also stretch out a bit from one night to the next, so if you're a multi-night jammies fan, keep that in mind.
Flannel pajamas are brushed soft on both sides. This allows the flannel to feel very soft on your skin. You probably knew that flannel pajamas could keep you warm during the colder months. Did you also know that flannel keeps you cool while you are asleep during the warm months?
Fleece Pajamas
Fleece pajamas are made from synthetic material, which makes them ultra-durable. They wash and wear like a champ. They are also extremely soft. Fleece does an incredible job of keeping you warm because the fleece fibers hold heat inside. So if you're one who is constantly cold, or have a drafty bedroom, fleece is your friend. They are also a great choice for "pajama Saturdays" every December through March. Just throw on a pair of waterproof winter boots and a down vest and you can trudge to the mailbox without a whimper.
By the time you have reached this point, you should have learned enough about your sleep style to decide if flannel pajamas or fleece pajamas are best for you. May I make a suggestion? Buy both. You need both for different (and for the same) reasons. Mixing and matching them also might be your best option for finding cold-weather sleeping comfort. Go ahead. Wear fleece pajama pants to keep the goosebumps off your legs with a lighter flannel sleep top. I won't tell if you don't.