This post is a collaboration with British Boxers and these PJs were free.
I’ve been on the hunt for decent pyjamas for a while now, something that feels like actual loungewear luxury rather than old band t-shirts I should be ashamed of and leggings that have lost just enough stretch to be classed as outerwear. Oh, and ones which won’t wake me up sweating like I’m in the bowels of hell.
And reader, I think I’ve found them.
British Boxers sent me their Women’s Bamboo Pyjama Set in Deep Forest to try, and let me tell you, I may never take them off again (except to wash them, obviously. Don’t be disgusting). I am wearing them right now, at 6.47pm. You may think ‘boy, that’s early’ but if Mum’s Taxi is finished for the night and I’ve no plans it’s all allowed under the autumn rules.
The Fabric: Why Bamboo is a Game-Changer
These PJs are made from 95% bamboo viscose and 5% elastane, which basically means:
- They’re as soft as silk but without the faff or sliding around the bed when you wear actual silk
- They’ve got a good amount of stretch so you can curl up in bed or on the sofa without feeling like you’re in a straitjacket
- aThey are breathable and moisture-wicking (yes, I Googled, and yes, this means they’re actually brilliant for perimenopausal night sweats).
I’ve been sleeping in them for a couple of weeks now, with breaks for washing (I feel like I should point this out, again) and not once while wearing them have I woken up drenched, kicking off the duvet like I’m trying to escape a crime scene. That alone feels miraculous. I know you’ll think I’m just saying that – after all I got them for free, why wouldn’t I? – but I wouldn’t bullshit you here, I promise.
The Fit & Feel
The PJ set has a long-sleeved top (about 24” in length, if you’re precise like that) and cuffed trousers with a 29” inside leg. I usually don’t go for long sleeves until there’s snow on the ground but actually, I like these. I can let my arms and legs out of the duvet and without worrying that the bed monster will get me, or getting chilly elbows.
They come with a soft elasticated waistband that doesn’t dig in (even after an overly generous cheese board, I have tested), and – the holy grail – pockets. So you can put a snotty hanky and/or sweets in, I assume.
The fabric feels smooth and luxe against your skin, without that horrible static cling you sometimes get with synthetic blends. Honestly, they make me feel far more put together than someone who mainly works under a blanket and hasn’t dried my hair so far this calendar year has any right to.
The Look
The ‘Deep Forest’ design is gorgeous: rich, calming, and very very similar to the hue of my brand new curtains. They are darker than they appear on the website which to me is a very good thing as it means I can pose in my living room like I am the type of person who co-ordinates stuff. 90% of the clothes I buy which aren’t black or white are green, and I appreciate the heck out of the colour.
To look at – in case you happen to be the Amazon or Uber Eats man – they are more stylish than my usual night time aesthetic. These are PJs you can happily wear until it’s time to get back into pyjamas again.
Practical Stuff
- These PJs are machine washable at 40°C, which is how I wash absolutely everything so that’s a bit of good luck. I haven’t got a tumble drier, so you’ll have to take your own risks there I’m afraid (unless you would like to buy me a tumble drier, in which case I’m happy to test how they go).
- They are available in sizes XS to 4XL so they’ve actually thought about inclusivity, which is nice. Mine are a medium, which is about a size 12, and they fit exactly as expected. If you prefer them baggy, size up, but I love the fit of mine!
- You can wear them year-round. Due to the bamboo, they claim to be cool in summer, and cosy in winter. Although the temperature is dropping outside, my internal thermostat is raging as ever and I can definitely attest to the fact that they’re cooler than my cheap nylon vest and shortie set, which seems insane.
- They are durable enough to last, unlike the £8 supermarket ones I tend to buy that twist into a weird shape after one wash.
Now I do accept that, at £59, they’re not cheap and cheerful PJs, but they feel like an investment in comfort. If you’re sick of scratchy, sweaty nights, or just want something that makes you feel a million times more chic when you collapse on the sofa, these are worth every penny. British Boxers does have a few good deals now and then, so make sure you sign up to their newsletter if you have your heart set on a pair with a bit of money off.
I genuinely haven’t woken up in a sweat once since wearing them. Warm, yes. Staring into the void, absolutely. Sweaty, no. And as someone navigating the choppy seas of perimenopause (a.k.a. the stage of life where your hormones are in a constant state of surprise!), that’s the highest praise I can give.
You can check them out here: Women’s Bamboo Pyjama Set – Deep Forest
Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to put the kettle on, climb back into my lovely new PJs, and read the same paragraph of a book 23 times.