HANDS up, your honour, I’m guilty of crimes against nightwear.
For years, I have slunk into bed in a pair of old loose trousers and a baggy T-shirt.
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It’s comfy, cosy and fuss-free.
My night-time routine is simple — make-up off, hair in a scrunchy and I’m good to go.
It doesn’t even cross my mind to look glam and matchy-matchy at bedtime.
Why bother when you’re only going to sleep?
And as for my poor, long-suffering hubby, I’ve never considered whether or not my T-shirt and trousers combo is a turn-off.
But I don’t suppose decade-old bottoms are a turn-on.
Pyjamas just aren’t one of the things I ever think about buying, so I was surprised in M&S last week to find silky floral pairs that look good enough to wear out for dinner.
At £40, the new range is a collaboration with designer Olivia von Halle, who already has celebrity fans including Gigi Hadid and Jennifer Lopez.
This is, according to fashion experts, Marks’ answer to a growing demand for luxurious matching pyjama sets.
The first week of this month, Tu at Sainsbury’s women’s nightwear sales quadrupled compared to the same period last year.
There are millions of posts on TikTok and Instagram of fans sharing their favourite satin and silk sets from the high street.
Usually, I’d rather spend my money on clothes that people outside of my household will see, but who am I to argue with the latest trend?
After being married for 15 years, I’m up for trying new ways to spice things up in the bedroom, so I decided to surprise my husband Cornel with some new bedtime looks.
I first tried the stunning M&S PJs — a cami and shorts set with a 1920s floral pattern against a navy background.
I have to admit, they looked really classy and even came with a cheeky blindfold!
As I slipped them on, the material was cooling and I felt like a socialite from the Roaring Twenties going to bed after a ball.
Maybe they were even a little too comfortable because as soon as I popped the blindfold on (in reality, it’s a sleep mask) and crawled under the duvet, I drifted off to sleep.
The next night, I opted for a £38 soft pink satin short set from Knickerbox.
Again, the material was cooling, which is what I need at my age.
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That night, as I slid into bed, I felt much more glam than usual, and as the satin material slid over the sheets, I felt, well, attractive.
My boost in confidence was wasted as, when my husband finally came up, I had my ear plugs in and my face in a novel.
On the third night, I plumped for a nightie, £26 from Ann Summers.
I’ve not worn a nightie since childhood, but this was a very grown-up version — with lovely black lace detailing and a flattering length, just above the knee.
It looked great on and felt really comfy as well. I actually realised how comfy nighties can be and this was a winner in my book.
Hubby seemed to like it and came in for a snog before bed!
I definitely felt more feminine going to sleep in this than I have in a long time.
Sleeping was lovely as, unlike shorts, there was nothing to dig into the tummy area.
Finally, I wore a pair of pyjamas from Tu at Sainsbury’s which have gone viral — there are hundreds of videos where shoppers gush over how cute the £20 yellow set is.
After the high of the silk nightie the night before, these were more like what I would usually choose.
They didn’t feel as sexy as the other sets and were definitely my husband’s least favourite.
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“But they’re so comfy!”, I groaned, getting into bed.
They felt nice to sleep in and the pattern was fun.
The fact that they at least matched made them feel more glam than my usual bed clothes.
Not the best, perhaps, for a “couple’s night”, but definitely more my scene.
As I reflected that night, I realised that I’ve got a little too comfy in my marriage, rotating a few baggy T-shirts and bottoms each night.
I hadn’t considered lacy nighties or matching sets for years and hadn’t realised how glam, sexy and put-together they can make you feel.
Hubby definitely approved. He said the nightie was “very feminine” and commented on the pattern of the Olivia von Halle two-piece from M&S.
And we had more nookie the night I wore the Ann Summers nightie.
Usually, my nightwear wouldn’t get a second glance.
But while I’m sure there will be nights where I chuck on my scruffiest, oldest PJs like a comfort blanket, I’m definitely upping my nightwear game from now on.
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