What Do You Wear To Bed?

Something I think about too often

I’ve always prioritised my ‘outside’ clothes over my pyjamas, because they simply didn’t feel worth spending money on. Why would I splash out on something that nobody except my mum, housemate or partner would ever see me in? This meant for as long as I can remember, the drawer underneath my bed has been crammed full of old, stained t-shirts and random mismatched pyjama sets I’ve received for Christmas. Fancy nightwear felt like a luxury, something that people with lots of money could afford to buy, not someone who grew up working class and has rarely ever made more than minimum wage.

So it’s no surprise that when relaxing at home I always used to feel scruffy. I would make such an effort with my appearance when I left the house, but the second I’d return it all went out the window. My hair would immediately get scraped back, make-up off and I’d change into a tragic concoction of lounge/sleepwear that resembled something a 13 year old boy would wear. Comfort has always been my priority, not looking cute. On that note - I’m always shocked when I discover that a friend or colleague will stay in their work clothes for the evening, and only change into pyjamas right before bed. Even though my ‘at-home’ clothes haven’t always been luxurious, I can’t imagine anything worse than sitting on my sofa in jeans after wearing them for 8+ hours. In my mind that feels like a self-inflicted punishment.

About a year ago I decided I’d had enough of feeling embarrassed by my pyjamas when answering the door to the Asda man, so I walked myself on over to H&M. I really try my best not to shop fast fashion, but when first dipping my toe into the world of nightwear I couldn’t fathom dropping a weeks wage on a nightie (TBH - I don’t think I could now). I bought a £35.99 blue and white stripy pyjama set and put it on the second I got home - and it literally rocked my world. I felt the most put together I ever had within the four walls of my bedroom, and didn’t physically cringe every-time I passed myself in the mirror. Ever since then I’ve been prioritising pyjamas and it doesn’t matter if nobody except me and my fiancé sees me, because I feel good. I woke up the other morning in my (faux) silk leopard print pj’s with freshly washed stripy ikea bedding, and it felt like I really had my shit together! Even though neither of those items cost more than £40.

Last summer I purchased a 1930’s white cotton nightie at Spitalfields market on a Sunday, it was £26. I had every intention of wearing it as a dress but it gaped in all the wrong places and left me looking quite tent-like. It felt too special to sleep in but after many failed outfit attempts, it was resigned to the pyjama drawer. However, I always take it on holiday and honestly feel like I’m in a 90’s rom-com whenever I wake up.

If you can be bothered to scroll, then I can’t recommend eBay and Vinted enough for vintage sleepwear. I recently saw Tinsley Mortimer of RHONY wearing a silk robe lounging around her ‘hotel-apartment’ (IYKYK) and decided I needed to replicate her vibe asap. I hopped onto eBay and found the absolute perfect robe, it was navy and floral and floor length and I loved it. The seller swiftly accepted my £5 offer, I gave it a thorough wash and now spend my days longing for warmer weather so I can stroll around my house wearing it without freezing.

I’ve realised that looking cute for yourself in bed is possibly the most romantic thing you can do, and that we should all be taking sleepwear inspiration from TV and film. The nightwear you see on screen may feel extravagant or un-necessary, but I can’t describe how good, good pyjamas can make you feel.

If you made it this far then please let me know in the comments what your pyjamas-of-choice are!