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Like many finicky sleepers, I have a particular nighttime conundrum. I sleep hot—like, wake-up-sweating-in-the-middle-of-the-night hot—but I also need to snuggle down deep into my bed in order to actually fall asleep. I may stick my foot out of the covers a few times in the night, tempting ghosts and cold chills alike, but those moments of relief are short-lived.
Given this mess, I tend to sleep in a T-shirt or an old tank top. Anything with longer sleeves makes me feel suffocated, which is unfortunate. There’s nothing I’d like more than to be a real, grown-up woman who does things like wear matching pajamas, brush her hair before bed, and rub lotion on her hands before going to sleep.
Lunya’s pajamas, in all their silky glory, followed me across the internet for months. Finally, I caved. Now I have to admit—Lunya’s washable silk set lets me be the nighttime starlet of my dreams.
Every year at Christmas, I unwrap a pair of pajamas from Santa, my grandparents, or my mom. They were always cute, always practical … and always way too warm. Every time I opened Instagram, I saw Lunya’s pajamas, but were they really worth almost $200?
The answer was: Maybe. Deborah Young, a textile expert with decades of experience, suggests that hot sleepers should prioritize more absorbent fabrics. Silk is less dense than your standard cotton or rayon pajamas and it can hold more than 30 percent of its weight in moisture. It wicks all that dampness away from our tossing, turning bodies.
I know I'm not the only one sweltering. The science may be inconclusive, but studies show that anywhere from 10 to 41 percent of people report having night sweats. There are plenty of causes for this, from the medication you take to the way you metabolize your meals. But I was really only excited about finally being able to wear cute pajamas without such a struggle.
Once out of the package, I loved the feel of them. It felt like forest fairies delicately draped the fabric—there was enough weight to enjoy the soft, buttery texture, but not too much. The back of the shirt and the sides of the shorts have slits, letting my legs move in the night, and giving my back a chance to catch cooler air when needed. I never once woke up and had to untwist a pant leg or unstick a shirt from my stomach. (Ew, sorry.)
The fit is described as “true-to-size,” but all bodies are different and mine wished the shorts were a smidge bigger for my booty. If I were to order another pair, I would probably size up to get a little more coverage. It’s also washable! Although Lunya does recommend certain care instructions, like hand-washing and drying the pajamas flat in their natural shape, I’m completely chaotic and have just tossed them in the washer and dryer with my jeans. They look fine.
But you might be uncomfortable with treating a $200 investment that way—or not having that money at all. If so, I get it. Quince makes a similar set that’s also 100 percent silk and washable. The big difference here is the set from Quince doesn’t have slits, so it’s the littlest bit less breathable, but I do feel like I could wear them around during the holidays and be a little more modest around my niece and nephews.
Now, I’m old enough to know that it takes more than a set of matching pajamas to turn you into a grown-up. I still don’t have a nighttime routine; I don’t read a chapter of a Jane Austen book. I even snore. But they did help me get a better night's sleep. And just maybe, the more sleep I get, the more likely I am to remember to use some Aveeno.
