What Do You Wear To Bed?
What do you wear when you go to bed? You may be surprised that what you wear or don’t wear goes a long way to ensure that you get a restful night’s sleep. There is no right or wrong answer, to be sure. It really comes down to preference. What do you feel comfortable wearing?
Hopefully this question doesn’t make you feel uncomfortable. It shouldn’t. Fads and customs may have changed over the years, but the hard reality is that everyone goes to sleep, and most people wear something loose fitting and comfortable. Some people wear nothing at all. Depending on where you are sleeping the choice you make of nightwear could also change. If you’re camping outside you may wear something heavier like sweatpants or even your jeans. If you’re sharing a hotel room with your friends, you may not wish to go au natural. The bottom line is that everyone wants to be comfortable when they sleep. Comfort is key.
In a 2004 survey conducted by the Federal Government, it seems that many of us have very specific opinions about what makes us comfortable when we go to bed. The statistics speak for themselves. Clothing or nightwear worn by American men and women may have changed slightly over the years since this study, but despite changes in style and preference, not a lot has changed in the numbers.
| What worn for sleeping | Men (%) | Women (%) | All (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Nothing/Nude | 31 | 14 | 22 |
| Underwear | 31 | 2 | 16 |
| Nightgown or Pajamas | 13 | 55 | 34 |
| Shorts and T-shirt | 21 | 25 | 23 |
| Sweatshirt and Sweatpants | 1 | 2 | 1 |
| *Something else | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| No opinion | 1 | 1 | 1 |
*Something else includes garments not usually associated with sleeping ie., gym shorts and tank-tops to name a few.
What makes men and women comfortable at least in terms of what they choose to wear for bed is not the same on average. Although men seem to be more comfortable sleeping nude, it seems that many women do not. Whether this difference is based on societal norms or preference is unclear. There are differences in how men and women dress for bed, that’s the bottom line. Whatever the reason, that facts are pretty clear for both. Whatever makes you comfortable and relaxed in getting a good night’s sleep is more important that what is worn to bed each night.
Normally a topic best broached behind closed-doors and in the privacy of your bedroom, American’s have slowly come to terms with sharing their preference for the clothing they sleep in at night. It doesn’t have to be an embarrassing topic. What one wears to bed shouldn’t be a titillating subject, but one that speaks to personal preference and feeling comfortable. All of this boils down to getting a restful sleep experience and feeling comfortable while doing it.