The chicest pyjamas to snuggle into this winter

This weekend’s clock change hails the season of getting cosy and hunkering down, and what better way to do that than in this season’s most luxurious pyjamas.

Sian Adkins, founder of the British pyjama brand Sian Esther, says that pulling on a pair of PJs is pure “comfort and joy”. “I can’t think of a better feeling on a cold day after a long walk or busy day at work, than having a steaming hot bath and putting on a pair of pyjamas,” she says.

Getting cosy is something Molly Goddard, founder of the nightwear brand Desmond & Dempsey, says she’s only just getting her head around. “It has taken me 10 years to fully understand and appreciate the British lexicon that is ‘cosy’. It is more than teapots, woolly blankets and thick socks, it is a British frame of mind. It is a moment in the year when one can fully embrace the melancholy skies and cuddle up. In other words, the winter weather is a message from the heavens saying to stop and relax; you need a moment of pause in your busy life to take a break.”

Maybe it’s the coming cold, maybe it’s the uncertainty out there, but we’re snapping up pyjamas: Fenwick say sales have increased by 40% this month as we’re literally bedding in for the dark and chilly months. The brand has some very fetching jammies, made from 100% crisp cotton with white piping, that will make you take going to bed extremely seriously.

Canterbury cotton long sleeve pyjama top, £70, Fenwick

“Sleep is the new rock and roll – in that everyone is talking about it,” confirms designer Anya Hindmarch. Her Christmas edit includes a cute linen pair decorated with her customary eyes (£325; anyahindmarch.com). For another festive option, try Marks and Spencer’s red set, which also features piping (£28; marksandspencer.com).

For those who have been wafting around all summer in the cult nostalgic nightie, there’s a winter upgrade available in gingham. “I knew our customer wanted something a tad warmer for the winter months than the thin voiles and candy-coloured linens we make in summer, but we didn’t want to compromise our romantic, floaty designs,” says Emily Campbell, creative director of the nightwear brand If Only If. “Our winter ginghams are a celebration of this in exclusively woven single sided brushed twill. It took much sampling and playing around but I believe the weight and feel is the perfect balance – cosier than voile but retaining that delicious drape and softness.” She says the thickness of the nightie means it’s perfect for “Christmas morning with your father-in-law” – try the Pandora.

Pandora, £160, If Only If

Last winter, when the gingham collection first launched, the pieces sold out in a week. “The reason I love it particularly, and why it speaks to others, is that the right ginghams (muted shades, the right size checks) on the right styles are timeless,” says Campbello. “It looks just as chic on a two year old as a 92 year old; it has longevity”.

Adkins’ range is made from brushed cotton, something she says she has “very fond memories of wearing as a child and feeling that wonderfully soft feeling against your skin.” Her new collaboration with interior designer Bee Osborn features luxury navy gingham brushed cotton pyjamas (£155; sianesther.co.uk). Uniqlo also has some brushed flannel PJs to keep you warm (£34.90; uniqlo.com) and Monsoon has a cute gingham cotton set.

Clementine gingham pyjame set, £59, Monsoon

Both Sian Esther and If Only If do a line of charming children’s nighties, too. “The matching ‘Mommy and Me’ trend is so huge in the US and is trickling over here more and more,” Campbell says. But they both believe in doing the matchy-matchy thing while maintaining dignity (no families decked out in matching reindeer onseies here, please). “We offer women’s and children’s pyjamas, so you can match or complement each other but in a tasteful way,” Adkins says. Try the Sabrina or the Green Stripe cotton children’s pyjamas (£55; sianesther.co.uk).

Sabrina, £58, If Only If

For those who have less yester-year tastes, Tom Pyne, founder of another British PJ brand, Chelsea Peers, suggests “mixing and matching with a complementary colour palette for a more subtle look.” He says that neutrals, such as “olive, taupe and navy, paired with timeless patterns including stripes and checks” work for both men and women. There is a chance to be fun: “For a more playful twist, our signature leopard and best-selling dinosaur prints continue to be customer favourites, especially as gifts at Christmas time.”

Dinosaur Print Short Pyjama Set, £35, Chelsea Peers

You wouldn’t head out on the town in your Dino PJs, but you might in your minimalist HONNA pyjama top (over jeans, perhaps), which founder Barbara McMillan based on the kind of “oversized shirt that has always been a staple in my wardrobe.” (£165; honnalondon.com). I’ve worn the brand’s linen olive linen shorts set out in the day on holiday, too (£145; honnalondon.com).

For those who have also got their sights set on partying all night before flopping into bed, the new autumn collection  from the British company Asceno has you covered with a cinnamon-toned velvet set launching this week (asceno.com). It’s something co-founder Poppy Sexton-Wainwright says is the perfect look to take you from cosy winter nights in front of the fire to festive season dinner parties. “The material is opulent but incredibly easy to wear with a relaxed, understated silhouette – dressed up or down, barefoot or worn with a heel. I will live in this heavenly brunette set until New Year’s Day.”

There are a few nightwear accessories to consider too: the perfect robe, such as one by BAINA made in soft Terry towelling and cosy slippers – MIMMO Studios’s Siberian Wool Slippers are like hugs on your feet. Finally, while the darker nights mean less wake ups because of the light, I still can’t sleep without the weight of an eye mask.

Sulis bath robe, £155, BAINA; Eye mask, £30, Yolke; Siberian wool slippers, £30, Mimmo Studios

Sexton-Wainwright encourages us to take advantage of the downtime when we can. “As the winter nights draw in I always think we enter a mini hibernation before fully embracing the craziness of the festive season.” So, dress up in your new PJs, and stay in bed.