Clothes for cold bedrooms

Short answer: In a cold bedroom it is usually the feet and shoulders that get cold first. A thin long sleeve layer and a pair of thin socks solve it for most people, without making you too warm under the duvet.

Feet first

Cold feet are the most common reason people lie awake in a cold room. The feet sit at the far end of the duvet, furthest from the warmth of the body. A thicker duvet helps surprisingly little if your feet are already cold when you get into bed. A pair of thin, dry socks does more, see bamboo socks.

Thin socks rather than thick

It is tempting to reach for the thickest socks in the drawer, but they often get too warm during the night. Then the feet start to sweat, and damp socks cool you instead of keeping you warm. A thin pair that keeps the feet dry gives a steadier warmth. Put on a fresh pair just before bed.

Long sleeves rather than thick fabric

When you sleep on your side, your shoulders often stick out above the duvet, and they feel the cold air first. A thin long sleeve layer covers shoulders and arms without getting too warm under the duvet. It moves with you when you turn and does not bunch up. See the styles in long sleeve bamboo t-shirt.

Dry rather than thick

A thick layer quickly gets too warm under the duvet and leads to sweat rather than warmth. Once you sweat, the fabric turns damp, and later in the night it feels cold. A thin layer that moves moisture away from the skin keeps a better balance between too warm and too cold. See the range in women's bamboo clothing.

Fit at night

For sleep, clothing should be close enough to hold warmth but loose enough to let you move freely. Tight sleeves and pressing elastic are more noticeable at night than during the day, because you lie still in the same position for hours. Choose a soft fit with no hard seams at the shoulders, so you forget you are wearing it.

Duvet and clothing work together

Think of the duvet and your nightwear as one system. A warm duvet with a thin layer underneath usually works better than a light duvet with thick clothing. The duvet holds the warmth, and the clothing keeps the skin dry. If you often get too warm in the middle of the night, it is usually the clothing that is too thick.

Washing and changing

Nightwear picks up moisture and skin oils, even when you cannot feel it. A layer worn for many nights in a row moves moisture less well than a fresh one. Change nightwear and socks regularly, and wash according to the care label. Let the clothes air dry so they stay soft. A spare set in the drawer makes changing easy.

When the room is very cold

If the bedroom is very cold, add a second thin layer rather than one thick one. Two thin layers hold more air between them and can be adjusted if you get warm. Leave the socks and a long sleeve top next to the bed, so you can put them on if you wake up cold and avoid getting up.

Frequently asked questions

Is it unhealthy to sleep in the cold

No, many people sleep best in a cool room. It is usually cold feet that disturb sleep. If you have questions about your sleep or health, talk to your doctor.

Should you sleep in socks

Many people do if their feet are cold when they go to bed. Choose a thin, dry pair so the feet do not get too warm and start to sweat during the night.

How cold should a bedroom be

Sixteen to nineteen degrees suits most people, but it is individual. Try it out and adjust your nightwear to the room rather than turning the heating right up.