What do you wear on a warm night

Short answer: As little as possible, but not nothing. A thin layer moves sweat away from the skin and lets it dry, while bare skin against the sheet holds the moisture in.

Not nothing, but not much

When it is hot, the thought is to sleep in nothing. It sounds logical, but it rarely works best. The body sweats at night, and the moisture has to go somewhere. With a thin layer on, it is moved away from the skin and the fabric lets it dry. The answer is little fabric, not no fabric.

A thin layer beats nothing

The fabric moves moisture away from the skin and lets it dry. Bare skin against the sheet does the opposite: the sweat stays between skin and sheet, and the moisture does not cool off in the same way. That is why a thin layer is better than nothing. See the bamboo jogging suit for everyday clothes in soft fabric.

Loose rather than close-fitting

Air between fabric and skin is what cools. A loose piece leaves room for the air, while a close-fitting piece lies against the skin and holds the heat. Choose something that falls freely around the body without tightening at the arms, legs and waist. A loose T-shirt or shorts is enough.

The room matters most

Below nineteen degrees, most people sleep best. The temperature of the room decides most of it, and no nightwear can make up for a bedroom that is too warm. Open a window, use a fan or air the room before bed. Nightwear is the smallest adjustment when it is warm, not the biggest.

Why bare skin does not cool better

It is easy to think less fabric means more cooling, but moisture plays a part. Without fabric, the sweat stays between skin and sheet. The moisture cannot escape and gives a clammy feeling. A thin layer carries the sweat away from the skin and lets it dry, and that is what feels cool.

The sheet plays a part too

What you lie on matters as well. The sheet is where the sweat ends up if you sleep in nothing. Avoid several layers when the room is warm, and choose a sheet that does not cling to the skin. That way sheet and nightwear help each other keep you dry. Small details add up.

How to choose the right piece

Choose the thinnest and loosest piece you own. A loose T-shirt and thin shorts are enough for most people. Avoid tight waistbands and thick seams that press when you lie down. See all women's clothing to view the whole range of soft clothes. Comfort matters more than any special design.

If it is still too warm

If it is still too warm, take off a layer but keep a thin one on. Change into another piece if the first has become damp, and air the bedroom the next day. Remember that you can adjust the room before you adjust the clothes. See women's most popular items for the pieces chosen most often.

Frequently asked questions

What should you wear on a hot night

A thin, loose layer. The fabric moves sweat away from the skin and lets it dry, which cools better than bare skin does. Choose the thinnest piece you own.

Is it better to sleep in nothing

Rarely. Without fabric, the sweat stays between skin and sheet, and the moisture does not cool off in the same way as it does on a thin layer.

What matters most on a hot night

The temperature of the room. Below nineteen degrees, most people sleep best, and no nightwear can make up for a bedroom that is too warm, so adjust the room first.