I Tried Oprah's Favorite Bamboo Pajamas and They Are Worth the Hype

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For many people, falling asleep doesn't come instantaneously (and if it does, you're a lucky one!). You may need a comforting wind-down routine to help you get there, whether that's reading a book, doing a face mask, or watching a show. In addition to the activity you choose to do before bedtime, what you wear can also impact how well you sleep at night. Wearing thick pajamas to bed might cause you to sweat, thus jolting you awake in a groggy state, or perhaps the temps dropped at 3 a.m. and now your shorts feel inadequate against the cold air. Should your clothes feel like the culprit behind those eye bags the next day and you want a better night's sleep, we suggest investing in stylish bamboo pajamas.

You see, the fabric offers moisture-wicking properties and provides better insulation than materials like cotton, making you feel comfy and cool. If you're a hot sleeper, or just want a pair of PJs that doesn't trap any sweat, bamboo is a good option. "The things that are going to keep you cool at night are a thermal conductor, which means it lets go of your body heat," Deborah Young, textile educator and author, says. "If you wake up in a hot sweat after a bad dream or something, the moisture dissipates really quickly from the fabric."

Young also adds if you find that your clothes or bedding traps in odors, choosing bamboo material can help mitigate the smells because the plant naturally has antibacterial properties. Though it's difficult to prove this claim in fashion with 100 percent accuracy, as bamboo trees have to undergo an extensive chemical process to turn into the garments we all know and love, therefore, perhaps, cancelling out the antibacterial properties, Young provides an anecdotal piece of evidence that may convince you bamboo material is truly superior. "I can tell you, I have two little chihuahuas that get into my bed, and my bed doesn't smell anymore," she says, alluding to her use of bamboo fabric in the bedroom. Additionally, for those with sensitive skin (like myself, who is eczema-prone), the cellulose fiber is hypoallergenic, making it a good choice for sleeping in.

While there are many pros to wearing these chic pajamas, before you purchase anything, know that bamboo fabric is prone to wrinkles (unless mixed with polyester) and may shrink a tad in the wash. However, Young says that the shrinkage is hardly noticeable for most people and this has not deterred her from wearing bamboo PJs. The material's softness, moisture-wicking properties, and comfortability outweigh all the other minor details.

Whether or not you're 100 percent sold on bamboo pajamas yet, they are worth testing out for the sake of a better night's rest. We found 16 fashion-forward styles to try ahead, and at every price point, too, so you can find the pieces that suit your style and budget.

Long Sleeve Bamboo Pajama Set

Talk about buttery soft! These PJs are the ultimate little luxury. "I love that they are lightweight and kind of oversized in fit," Commerce Editor Mackenzie Dunn says. "This is a set I keep on constant rotation as they keep me cool and cozy during any season." They're also one of Oprah's Favorite Things!

Bamboo Short-Sleeves Set

When you think about what kind of pajamas you'd want to wear to bed, some qualities may come to mind, like it has to be soft and lightweight or stretchy and comfortable. This set from Latuza checks all those boxes and more for under $40.

Bamboo Lounge Pajamas

If you're looking for a last-minute present for someone, get them these hypoallergenic and odor resistant silky soft pajamas from Mark and Graham. They can be personalized with a monogram, so the set feels extra special for the recipient.

Fair Isle Women's Pajama Top

Wearing matching pajamas as a family just feels right during the holidays. Little Sleepies offers the most festive options for the group, including this gingerbread and Christmas lights printed number. Since the sleepwear is designed by a mom, it comes with thoughtful touches, too, like front snaps for nursing access if you need.

Bamboo Short-Sleeve Pajama Set

One Amazon reviewer voted these as the best menopausal pajamas since the bamboo fabric helped to reduce night sweats and are extremely comfortable to wear. Find your favorite color (or colors, as this set comes in 24 shades), then add to cart.

Bamboo Crew Neck Pajamas Set

For pajamas with a subtle design on it, check out the pleating detail on this set. Amazon reviewers are praising this item for its softness, coziness, and durability as stains (like chocolate milk) can wash right out from the fabric.

3/4 Sleeve Nightshirt

Are PJ sets not for you? Okay, no worries—perhaps you want to slip into a quarter-sleeved night dress instead. This one from Nestin is made with bamboo rayon fabric and has a silky soft texture that feels like a second skin. You could even style this dress with leggings and wear it outside of the house while running errands—a move you can't do with normal PJs.

Bamboo Pajama Shorts

We love clothes that can pull double-duty, like these breezy shorts that come in a pack of three. While they're perfectly acceptable for snoozing in, the bottoms also work well for outdoor activities. One Amazon shopper said: "I bought these for tennis so they would keep me cool and also be very comfortable and hold the balls in my pockets! They’re awesome."

Bamboo Long-Sleeve Pajamas

The general consensus on these pajamas is that the fabric is soft and comfortable with a bit of weight to them. (If you run extra warm, especially in the summertime, these may feel too thick for you.) They're true to size and hold up well in the wash, too.

Bamboo Racerback Tank Top and Shorts

There's nothing worse than trying to get a good night's sleep when all of a sudden, you feel a prickly clothing label digging into your skin. Luckily this racerback set is tag-less, making the set even more comfortable. Amazon reviewers say you won't even notice you have the top and bottoms on—they're that soft.

Feeling Groovy Bamboo Women's Jogger Pajama Pants

Emerson and Friends's selection of pajamas is geared towards families who love to take a not-so-serious approach to fashion—think vivid colors and bold prints like this groovy floral design. The prints are all designed in-house, meaning you won't find them anywhere else, so pick out your favorite graphic then get the PJs in a few sizes for everyone in your family.

Plus-Size Bamboo Nightgown

Defitshape offers a bamboo nightgown for those with more curves and land in the size range between 1x to 5x. The breezy number features crisscross straps and a silhouette that flows away from your body. (If you hate sleepwear that sticks to your skin come summer, this is for you.)

Women’s Tank Set in Taro

This tank set, which comes in several other colors like avocado and robin, has over 1.3k reviews and we dug through them for any red flags. Spoiler alert: there are none. Everyone, especially pregnant women and postpartum moms, loved how comfortable, breathable, and lightweight the tank and bottoms are. Though some found the shorts to be big or the tank too tight, overall shoppers gave this item glowing reviews.

Round Neck Long-Sleeve Bamboo Pajamas

For a top and bottom you can wear to bed and then style with sneakers and a trench coat while you get your morning coffee, this is your set. We suggest getting it in black to maximize its versatility, but the heather gray and mauve sets are also excellent options.

Sateen Shortie

Whether you decide to buy only the shorts or opt for the label's extra soft tops with your purchase, you won't be disappointed by how luxe the bamboo material feels. It has a sheen to it like silk, but unlike silk that often requires dry cleaning, this is much easier to care for. Feel free to toss into the wash and tumble dry low once your garment feels dirty.

Stefanie

For a sleepwear set that feels more alluring, go with this Adore Me look. Thanks to the bustier-style cami top, which scoops and holds the girls in, it feels a tad bit sexier than all the other options on this list.

What are the benefits of bamboo pajamas?

There are several reasons to invest in this material for your sleepwear. First, the fabric is moisture-wicking, meaning that instead of trapping or holding in your sweat, it'll wick the water away from your skin (even more effectively than cotton can!) to keep you dry and cool. Since the material doesn't cling to your skin either, it won't make you feel like a tightly wrapped burrito, and gives your skin room to breathe.

Second, bamboo pajamas are extremely soft, meaning it'll feel like a second skin, and is stretchy too. Because it is so gentle on the skin and wicks away moisture, it's a good option for those with eczema as well. If you're sensitive to the feel of fabrics, this one won't cause annoyance or irritation to your body.

For the eco-conscious shoppers out there worried about deforestation, you can take comfort in the fact bamboo plants grow quickly. Some species can sprout over three-feet in just 24 hours. The greenery also has a natural resistance to disease, so it doesn't need pesticides, and has low water consumption, all of which can impact the planet positively. However, it's important to acknowledge that the bamboo fabric itself isn't the most eco-friendly. According to Young, the chemical processes the plant goes through in order to become a physical piece of garment, is not 100 percent green. (We won't dive into the chemistry here, as it's a fashion discourse for another time, but you can read an overview of how bamboo becomes a fiber, here.)

Are bamboo pajamas good for hot and cool sleepers?

According to Young, bamboo pajamas are terrific for hot sleepers because they have temperature regulating abilities. This means fabric made from the plant is breathable and wicks away any moisture from your skin throughout the night, thus keeping you cool. The material's good for people who experience night sweats or tend to suddenly get hot in the middle of the night due to extraneous factors like nightmares, the Sunday Scaries, and weather changes.

On the flip side, bamboo PJs can be a good option for cool sleepers, too, who want to slip into an ultra-comfy material that's lightweight and airy. Young notes that she lives in Los Angeles, so she likes to wear her bamboo sleepwear year round, but for those who live somewhere colder (and perhaps whose heater isn't as strong), they may want to consider something a little warmer once the frigid temperatures set in.

Are bamboo pajamas good for sensitive skin?

Both bamboo pajamas and sheets are good for those with sensitive skin and eczema because the fibers are hypoallergenic. If rough, scratchy, or coarse clothes leave you feeling uncomfortable or itchy, you won't experience these same problems with bamboo fibers as they're very soft and smooth. "I am not aware of any allergies to bamboo, and I stay on the front of [this topic]," Young adds, when we asked her if it was suitable for those with sensitivities to fabrics. When you're shopping for clothes, look for styles made from 100 percent bamboo to get the highest quality and feel. Alternatively, bamboo blends like viscose or cotton are okay too, though you may want to avoid bamboo and poly blends if you have sensitive skin.

How to wash bamboo pajamas

We always advise you to follow the care instructions on your specific garment, but for a general rule of thumb, Young says wash on cool and dry on cool. "Bamboo does shrink because cellulose-based fabric, which comes from a plant, has absorbency," she adds. "Wash and dry on a low temperature, expect a little bit of shrinkage. It's your pajamas though, so it's okay because no one will notice."

If you notice your PJs wrinkle easily, too, that is to be expected from the bamboo material. Young notes that if you opt for a poly blend, it may wrinkle less if this sight truly bothers you. And if you are extra particular about this, you can always steam out the creases and folds before (or after) wearing the pieces.

Why trust us

Marina Liao has worked in the fashion industry for over eight years, reviewing and testing products from all categories from ready-to-wear to accessories. Over the course of her career, she has spent hours researching emerging brands, interviewing designers, and curating the best shopping recommendations with reader needs in mind first.

For this story specifically, she spoke with textile expert Deborah Young to provide science-backed information about bamboo fabric and sleepwear. Young has more than 25 years of experience as a textile educator and has published textile science books: Swatch Reference Guide for Fashion Fabrics and Swatch Reference Guide for Interior Fabrics.

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