Buy Side from WSJ is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more.
Buy Side from WSJ is a reviews and recommendations team, independent of The Wall Street Journal newsroom. We might earn a commission from links in this content. Learn more. Real Silk Pajamas
The smooth, soft feel and sleek look of silk pajamas offer an immediate upgrade from more traditional sleepwear . Aside from its luxurious appearance, silk sleepwear is a solid option for people with sensitive skin because it causes less friction between the fabric and skin than other materials, which can help reduce irritation, says Dr. Erum Ilyas, a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology and Main Line Health Hospitals.
Given their higher price tag compared to other pajamas, it’s important to choose a set that will last. Meg Fisher, a fashion designer and founder of FIBR Studios, says that for a good-quality 100% silk pajama set, you can expect to pay around $200 and up. With that in mind, we researched dozens of silk pajama sets, consulted with experts (a dermatologist, a fashion designer and a professor of apparel design) and used our textile knowledge to narrow down the options to the eight most promising picks.
Our top pick was the Eberjey Inez Washable Silk Set because of its soft, lightweight feel and classic style. Keep reading for more on how we vetted and tested these pajamas.
This set has a soft and lightweight feel, runs true to size and is comfortable to sleep in.
Eberjey is well-known for its wide selection of sleepwear, so it’s not surprising these pajamas were our top pick out of all the sets we tested. The fabric has a soft matte finish that felt pleasant on our skin. We found both the top and bottoms were true to size, and neither piece felt restrictive or too billowy. The waistband is wider than some others we tested at 1.5 inches, which helps it lie flat without rolling. We found that the elastic waistband didn’t dig into our stomach either, making the shorts comfortable to move in (this is a helpful element if you tend to toss and turn while you sleep). While we tested the short-sleeve and shorts set, long-sleeve tops and pants are also available.
Eberjey’s website says the silk fibers are grade 6A, which is the highest-quality grade for silk available. The fabric is 16 momme (a unit of measurement used to determine the density of silk fabric), which is on the thinner side for silk, making it great for hot sleepers or people in warm climates. The set is also Bluesign-certified , meaning its manufacturing process meets a set of safety and environmental criteria, including the responsible use of resources, safe working conditions and a reduced impact on people and the environment.
The piping detail on the pajamas gives them a particularly stylish touch, but up close we could see the fabric started to look worn after our test of three washes. Other than that, the pajamas washed well, though they are prone to wrinkling, which is not uncommon with silk. Being able to throw them into a washing machine makes them convenient to launder, though hand washing is also an option. Whichever way you choose to wash, the set requires laying both pieces flat to dry like most silk products. It’s available in four colors and sizes XS to XL.
These silk pajamas are made with high-quality mulberry silk and less pricey than others without sacrificing quality.
Quince is a brand that tests well (see our story on the best silk pillowcases ), and while this may not be the lowest-price pajama set we tested, we found that this pair offers the best value. Both the top and bottoms are made of 19-momme mulberry silk, so they have a lightweight feel and a soft matte look. Quince pajamas are not sold as sets, so you can mix and match styles and colors. We opted for the cropped short-sleeve button-up and pants and liked the boxy fit on the shirt that gave us room to move around. If these options aren’t your style, you can also choose from shorts , tanks , T-shirts and full-length button-ups , with a variety of color choices in each style. The only downside is that the brand doesn’t offer any long-sleeve styles.
On the pants, we liked the flat-front panel that provided a minimalist look, with elastic in the back that offers a comfortable amount of stretch. What stood out in this pair was the side slits in the pants, making them feel breezy (a great feature if you’re a hot sleeper). We also can’t forget to mention that they have pockets, an extra detail we appreciated (especially since not all of the pajamas we tested included them).
Conveniently, these pajamas are machine-washable and can be hung to dry, unlike others that must be laid flat to dry. Sizes in the top and bottoms range from XS to XL.
The Lilysilk pajamas offer an oversize look and fit without making you feel like you’re swimming in fabric.
If you prefer extra room in your pajamas rather than a fitted style, Lilysilk’s Viola Oversized Pajamas are a good option. The button-up top has an oversize look but we didn’t feel like we were swimming in extra fabric while wearing it. We also love that due to its longer length, the top could double as a short pajama dress (depending on your height). The pants have a roomy fit that we also found to be flattering. However, they may be on the longer side for more petite people (for reference, I’m 5 foot 2 inches and the pants were too long for me), since the inseam is 29 inches. What’s unique about these pajamas, however, is that the brand offers a version with custom measurements for an extra $30, so you can get the fit you want.
The fabric is 100% silk and it’s 22 momme, so the pajamas are thicker than some of the others we tested. They felt slightly warmer but still breathable. There are three color choices, and the set ranges in size from XS to XXL. These are also one of the few pajama sets we found that are monogrammable (for an extra $25). The brand recommends dry-cleaning the set, but also notes that it can be hand washed or machine washed on a gentle cycle in a mesh laundry bag .
For people who like a fitted look, these Petite Plume pajamas have a slimmer cut.
For a more fitted look and feel, we preferred these Petite Plume silk pajamas . Upon trying these on, we immediately noticed they had a slimmer fit than others we tested. Our usual size fit comfortably, but any smaller and it would have been too snug, so if you prefer a roomier fit (especially in the bust area) you may want to size up (sizes range from XS to XL). These piped pajamas use real corded piping rather than fabric that looks like piping, adding a more luxurious touch. The fabric is 22-momme mulberry silk, the highest momme we tested, and we noticed it held up well in the wash, looking nearly brand-new after three washes. The set comes in a classic solid black , as well as a bolder panther print .
You won’t overheat with these silk pajamas that let a breeze in with their open slit design and soft matte silk feel.
Lunya’s Washable Silk Set is one of the breeziest pairs of pajamas we tested. The top features two pieces of overlapping fabric that create a slit in the back to provide more airflow than other sets we tried. This detail also makes the top feel extra roomy, which we appreciated. The shorts have a similar slit on both sides for even more breathability and a relaxed feel. Given its breezy nature, this set is ideal for people in warm climates or if you tend to overheat at night, but it may not be warm enough to wear in colder climates. Lunya didn’t slack on the details. We loved the tiny silicone dots on the waistband that helped keep the shorts in place without digging into our skin. The fabric is mulberry silk (the brand doesn’t reveal the momme) and can be machine or hand washed in cold water. Lunya recommends putting the pajamas in a Lunya mesh laundry bag , but we used our own laundry bag in the wash and the pajamas looked the same after washing three times. The set comes in eight colors and sizes XS to 2X, which is a wider range than most silk pajamas we tried; most only go up to XL.
The flowy fit and soft fabric are so comfortable you’ll forget you’re wearing this silk chemise.
Italian brand La Perla is known for its high-end pajamas and undergarments made of delicate materials, like lace and silk. We immediately fell in love with this 100% silk chemise’s comfortable, lightweight feel that made us forget we were wearing it. The chemise is roomy without looking boxy, while still giving some shape. The fabric has a slight sheen and felt smooth against our skin. One common problem with thin straps on many chemise dresses is that they can twist the wrong way or warp out of shape, neither of which happened with this nightgown, which also has thin straps. It’s available in a variety of solid colors, including white, black and blush pink, and sizes run from XS to XL. The only downside is that it’s a higher-price option for just one piece of sleepwear.
You won’t be tripping over this soft cropped silk pajama set that’s comfortable for all seasons.
Olivia Von Halle offers a wide variety of unique prints you won’t find with other brands and an array of fun colors in silk blends, and this 19-momme, 100% silk pair comes in a rich, flattering navy. The Casablanca set is cut generously without being too big, we found after trying it on in our usual size. We especially liked the cropped pants and shorter arm length on the shirt, which kept us from tripping over the pants or accidentally dipping a sleeve in water when washing our hands or doing dishes.
The fabric is lightweight and breathable, though we did find it had a bit more static than other sets. The buttons have a mother-of-pearl finish, one-upping plastic buttons, giving it an opulent look. The pajamas can also be monogrammed for an additional $90.
These silk pajamas are crafted with smooth silk fabric and the attention to detail makes them an experience you’ll want to wear to bed or for a night out.
These 100% silk pajamas from Fleur du Mal look like they could be worn for a night out, which is what the brand intended with its aptly named Bedroom to Boardroom Pants and Fleur PJ Top (the pieces are sold separately). The pants have seamed piping down the legs that adds a stylish touch and makes them look less like pajamas and more like actual pants. They also have a flat-front waist instead of scrunched elastic, providing a clean look that we felt was still comfortable to wear.
We also appreciated the craftsmanship of the top, which resembles a notch-collar blazer, giving it a more elevated look than other pajamas; we could see ourselves wearing it on a night out. The brand also offers patterns we didn’t see on other pajamas, such as the botanical and star prints, giving the pieces a unique look. The top and pants were soft and smooth against our skin with a high-quality feel, although the brand doesn’t reveal the momme. This pair also seemed to wrinkle less than other silk pajamas we tried, but that’s likely due to the dry-clean-only care instructions, which is a drawback. However, after dry-cleaning them three times, we found that they still looked like we just pulled them out of the package.
The Swomog Women’s Silk Satin Pajama Set is one of the highest-rated “silk” pajama sets on Amazon, so we were curious if it lived up to the hype. In the listing, they are described as “silk satin” and “silk” pajamas, so it’s not entirely clear if these are silk, a silk blend or a satin weave made to mimic silk that’s made with polyester. Given the price, we were doubtful the pajamas were 100% silk, but the fiber content wasn’t listed. Unfortunately, when we pulled these out of the package, we could tell almost immediately that it was polyester satin, with its stiff feel and extremely shiny appearance.
The fit of the shorts is also off, since they bunched up in the middle when we wore them and they have a thin elastic waistband, both of which are signs of lower quality. Overall, these pajamas weren’t the worst we’ve worn, just not what we expected and not close to the luxury experience of real silk pajamas. Nevertheless, it’s hard to beat a pajama set for under $30, but just know you’re not getting the exact look and feel of real silk.
Over the years, I’ve tested hundreds of bedding products, such as sheets and blankets, and other fabric-based products including apparel and towels. I have written extensively about products for publications including Good Housekeeping magazine, USA Today’s Reviewed, CNN Underscored and Penske Media.
Earlier in my career, I worked at a home textiles company developing home products like bathmats and towels, as well as leading the quality assurance efforts for home textile products. I’ve also worked at Nike developing materials and making sure they met high quality standards. I have degrees in apparel and textile design and mechanical engineering, and it’s accurate to say I’m obsessed with fabric.
We also consulted Meg Fisher, a fashion designer and founder of FIBR Studios; Erum Ilyas, M.D., M.B.E., F.A.A.D., a dermatologist at Schweiger Dermatology and Main Line Health Hospitals; and Kathryn Reiley, Ph.D., adjunct professor, College of Design at the University of Minnesota to get their advice on what to look for in silk pajamas and their favorite picks.
In order to choose what to test, we searched the internet for the most popular silk pajamas among consumers. We also considered our favorite brands and silk pajamas that made other top lists and consulted the experts mentioned above.
We narrowed down the list based on our textile knowledge and the experts’ advice. We ruled out silk pajamas with poor user reviews, pajamas that seemed like they would be duplicative to ones on our list to test and ones that were on clearance and likely to be discontinued.
Mulberry Silk Robes We also ruled out any that weren’t 100% silk based on our experts’ advice, though we did test one set that wasn’t silk (more on that later). We considered price, making sure we had a range of price points to suit different budgets. In the end, we came up with a list of nine silk pajamas to test that had the most promise and rated them with the following criteria: