5 Best Plus-Size Pajamas for Women to Enjoy Cozy Nights
Updated: Apr. 16, 2024
A T-shirt and sweats aren't quite as comfortable as quality sleepwear, so I tested and reviewed several plus-size pajamas for women to recommend the best ones.
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If your ratty old pajamas, sweatpants or oversized T-shirts have seen better days, it’s time to upgrade your wardrobe with a new, quality pair of pajamas. Hot sleepers will find better breathability in cotton or bamboo pajamas while people with skin sensitivities might see improvements with silk pajamas. Another element to finding your comfiest pair of pajamas is ensuring that they’ll fit your body type just right, which is why I personally tested the best plus-size pajamas for women that are sure to make your nights that much cozier.
No small feat, finding the best in plus-size jammies proves to be a bit more difficult since the industry is still lagging in options for plus-size bodies. I tested several plus-size pajamas on my size 12 body to see how they compared and assessed them based on several criteria. I considered factors like size selection, comfort level, material, price, design and durability. I also checked out real-world reviews to ensure that the pajamas work for all kinds of body types, whether you’re looking for a pair of flannel pajamas or a pajama short set.
COURTESY OLIVIA HANSON
Best overall plus-size pajamas
Cozy Earth Women’s Bamboo Pajamas in Stretch-Knit
Out of all the plus-size pajamas for women I’ve tested, Cozy Earth’s bamboo pajamas with the stretch-knit stood out a bit above the rest. Like many others, I cannot sleep wearing anything too hot or heavy and sometimes go without wearing anything if it means a better night’s sleep. These pajamas made that a non-issue. The pajamas, made of premium viscose bamboo and spandex, are lightweight enough and felt barely there, yet still kept my body temperature regulated throughout the night. The enhanced breathability of the fabric also helped prevent night sweats.
The oversized is more comfortable and ideal for plus-size body types. I also loved the fabric’s stretch-knit because of its ability to be stretchy enough to move with my body while not being too stretchy where it bunches up in the wrong places. To top it off, the design of the pajamas is beautiful and classic, perfect for lounge nights on the couch bingeing your favorite show or a wine night with your girlfriends.
Keeping all body shapes in mind, the pajamas come in sizes extra-small to XXX-large, as well as height options in regular and tall. Several colorways are available, whether you prefer classic black or something more fun like a pastel or floral print. The only gripe with these Cozy Earth pajamas is their price, which is high for the average shopper, however, they’re a pair of high-quality investment pajamas that will last for years.
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Pros
- Made of premium bamboo
- Stretchy—but not too stretchy—fabric
- Helps regulate body temperature
- Available in various colors and designs
- Comes in extra-small to XXX-large sizes
Cons
- On the pricier side
- Might not be heavy enough for cold rooms
COURTESY OLIVIA HANSON
Best budget plus-size pajamas
Real Essentials Two-Pack Pajama Set
Kill two birds with one stone with this two-pack pajama set from Real Essentials. If you need to stock up on some cozy pajamas or want to use them as gifts, this set is a must-consider choice. A fantastic deal for the money, you can get a two-pack of plus-size pajamas for women for under $50.
These pajamas are truly made to be multi-use. Their soft and stretchy fabric features a loose-fitting design, making them incredibly comfortable to sleep in. And though they’re great for sleep, I wouldn’t feel embarrassed to lounge in them around the house with friends over. This is thanks to their design that partially looks like a pair of sweatpants and a long-sleeve top.
Plus, this set has options, options and more options. You can choose between over 20 colors or patterns and short and long sleeves. Find them in sizes small to 3X. I got the Heather gray and blue tie-dye set, since I think I’ll get the most use out of those, both wearing them as pajamas and around the house.
Pros
- Great value
- Many color and design options
- Don’t necessarily look like pajamas
- Short- and long-sleeve options
Cons
-
Thin fabric
COURTESY OLIVIA HANSON
Best flannel plus-size pajamas
Maurices Button-Down Top and Wide-Leg Pajama Set
The best flannel award goes to this pajama set from Maurices. In classic black and red, I love the larger squares in this version that are consistent throughout the top and bottom. And though I’m a fan of the classic flannel design, these are the best flannel plus-size pajamas for women because of their comfort and fit. When it comes to bedtime clothes, I prefer things that are a relaxed fit so they’re easy to toss and turn in—and that’s exactly what these provided. The knitted fabric has a rayon and spandex makeup, which is super soft against my skin and flexible to move in. At night I could move around the bed as needed and they were also cozy to lounge in during the day.
Conveniently, these pajamas come in a set, so you don’t have to purchase the top and bottom separately. The top has long sleeves for extra warmth, a short V-neck and an easy button-up closure. The bottoms have a flowy, wide-leg design and a drawstring waist to adjust to my hip size. A plus-size-friendly brand, these Maurices pajamas come in a wide range of sizes from extra-small to 3X. Plus, they’re easily machine washable and will last through many washes.
Pros
- Classic flannel design
- Super-soft knit feel
- Relaxed fit
- Affordable price
Cons
-
May not be as breathable or durable as other styles
COURTESY OLIVIA HANSON
Best plus-size pajama set
Adore Me Audra Plus Pajamas
Of all the pajamas I tried, I loved that the Audra Plus came in a set. I’ve had times while online shopping where I fall in love with a top and then go to buy the matching pants and they’re sold out, or vice versa, which is such a letdown. You don’t have to worry about that with this all-in-one set. However, I sometimes buy a size bigger for bottoms, as I tend to be a little more bottom-heavy than top-heavy, but everything seemed to fit just right with this set. This is thanks to the pajamas’ stretchier fabric and the brand’s size-inclusive focus and thoughtfulness about designing for plus-size bodies.
The Adore Me fun designs also stood out. Pajamas are so much more exciting to wear in a color or print that speaks to you. I got the navy and white stars and stripes print, but they also come in pink and red hearts prints. With a square neckline, lettuce edge detail and capri-style leggings, their design also makes them feel elevated enough to comfortably wear around the house throughout the day. They come in sizes extra-small to 4X.
My only grip is that the pajamas were form-fitting, which is not my personal favorite fit for plus-size pajamas. I tend to gravitate toward looser-fitting sleepwear, however, these would be great for those who love a tighter fit. The fabric, made of polyester, recycled polyester and a spandex blend, isn’t as soft as other pajamas I’ve tried but still feels breathable and nice against the skin.
Pros
- Available as a matching set
- Comes in several fun prints
- Budget-friendly price
- Cute scalloped hem details
Cons
- Not as soft of a fabric
- Form-fitting design not for everyone
COURTESY OLIVIA HANSON
Best plus-size pajama top
Skims Boyfriend Long-Sleeve T-Shirt
This boyfriend long-sleeve T-shirt was the first time I’ve tried Skims, and now I understand the hype. I’ve heard the Skims fabric is next-level, which was true with this top. My favorite part of this option is that by the looks of it, I could wear it as a basic long-sleeve top all day long. But the cotton pajamas, made of a modal-cotton-elastane blend, were still soft enough to wear as a pajama top. It also has a loose fit and is super breathable and comfortable to sleep in.
It comes in a wide range of sizes from XX-small to 4X, making it an inclusive brand for many body types. Plus, it comes in several colors like black, Heather gray and highlighter yellow. I got the Heather gray, which I enjoyed because it goes with everything. Although it doesn’t come with pants, Skims has tons of other Heather gray bottoms to pair with it, or you could pair your own bottoms. The top is a bit pricey, but the fabric quality and stitching are well worth it.
Pros
- Can be worn as pajamas or out of the house
- Oversized, unisex design
- Various regular and limited-edition colors
- Very soft and made with cotton, modal and spandex
Cons
- Pricey (but worth it)
What to consider when buying plus-size pajamas
When searching for a new pair of plus-size pajamas, there are a few things you’ll want to keep top of mind. To save you the stress of purchasing something you won’t end up loving, I suggest taking the time and doing a little extra research on the sizing of the garment (whether it runs small or large) and the material to make sure it’s going to suit your needs.
Sizing
A pain point when it comes to clothing is that brands differ in their sizing and that the clothing at some brands runs larger while others run smaller. You may be an extra-large at some retailers and a large at others. The best way to understand whether a brand runs small, large or true to size is to research product and brand reviews. You can also check the product page, as brands will sometimes indicate whether or not it runs small or large.
Fabric
If you prefer some extra stretch, make sure that it’s indicated in the product details. You should also look for some spandex or elastane in the fabric. If you prefer something a little more fitted, make sure it doesn’t include much or any spandex and elastane.
The material you choose will be based on your idea of comfort. Are you someone who sleeps hot and needs a breathable fabric? Look for bamboo or cotton pajamas. Is staying warm and cozy most important to you? Lean toward fleece or flannel. Silk pajamas are a smart choice for those looking for a luxury pair of pajamas that are kind on the skin and hair. Silk doesn’t cause itching or irritation, which is ideal for those with skin conditions. Due to its smooth texture, silk produces less friction, reducing hair breakage.
Lifestyle
Don’t forget to consider your lifestyle and personal preferences. Those who live in a warmer climate or are ordering pajamas for the summer months might want a more breathable fabric or pajama shorts set. Those who live in a colder climate or are ordering pajamas for the winter months might want a heavier, less breathable fabric and a long-sleeved top and pants. And remember, shopping for pajamas should be fun, so look for a material, design and color you love.
Why you should trust us
I’m an experienced shopping writer with over three years of testing products in the fashion space, so I know what readers will love. I’ve written for brands like InStyle, People and UsWeekly, and have researched all kinds of fashion pieces, like the best plus-size leggings and the best wedding guest dresses. My career is dedicated to helping shoppers cut through all the noise to find the best products to spend their money wisely. For this article, I tested several pairs of plus-size pajamas for women for over a month from brands like Cozy Earth, Maurices and Skims. I compared each of the pajamas based on metrics like fit, material, comfort, size selection, price, durability and design.
How we found the best plus-size pajamas
To give you my take on the best options, I focused on the most popular and best-selling pajamas, keeping fit, material, comfort, price, durability and design in mind while researching and testing. When I got to testing, I wore them to bed and around the house for several days. I spent a total of 96 hours testing a total of six different pairs of plus-size pajamas for women. From there, it came down to two pairs of pajamas to decide which one deserved the best spot, so I spent another 24 hours testing each pair until I felt confident awarding the Best Overall spot to one winner.
FAQ
What are the most comfortable pajamas made of?
Like many other bedding products, the most comfortable pajamas are similar to materials seen in products like comforters and pillowcases. The most comfortable pajamas are likely made of the following materials: bamboo, cotton, silk, fleece, flannel or lyocell. The material you choose will be based on your idea of comfort.
What are the best pajamas for people who get hot at night?
If you’re a hot sleeper, there are a few things you’ll want to look for in pajamas. The first and most important is the material. Bamboo and cotton are two of the most breathable pajamas that let air in and out and help regulate temperature. You’ll want to consider the construction of the pajamas, too. Hot sleepers may choose short-sleeved tops, pajama shorts and an open neckline.
Is it better to sleep in cotton or silk pajamas?
Selecting between cotton and silk will come down to personal preference. Generally, one is not “better” than the other. Cotton and silk have different fabric properties and distinctly different textures. They’re both soft, but silk feels smoother than cotton. Cotton is better for those who get hot at night, as it’s an incredibly breathable fabric. However, silk has tons of additional great properties for sleep.
Silk’s smooth texture is more beneficial for hair and skin because it doesn’t cause friction and reduces the likelihood of fine lines, wrinkles and bedhead. It’s also moisture-wicking, so it won’t soak in the moisture on your skin the way cotton would, nor will it absorb any liquid or sweat. Silk is also hypoallergenic, making it smart for those with sensitive skin. Lastly, silk is resistant to mold and mites, so it’s more durable and likely to last longer. One could argue that silk is more of a long-term investment in your skin, hair and closet, but it’s truly based on your preference.
Originally Published: March 05, 2024
