Choose linen pyjamas if you sleep warm, want to machine wash and like a fabric that softens with use. Choose silk pyjamas if you want the lightest, smoothest layer against the skin and are happy to hand wash. Silk is weighed in momme: 22 momme mulberry silk works out at roughly 95 g/m², against 150 g/m² for the linen pyjamas we carry.
Silk vs linen pyjamas at a glance
| Property | Mulberry silk, 22 momme (Tæwas) | Linen, 150 g/m² (Linen Tales) |
|---|---|---|
| Fabric weight | About 95 g/m² | 150 g/m² |
| Feel | Smooth and fluid, cool to the touch | Textured, crisp at first, softer with every wash |
| Best for | The smoothest, lightest layer to sleep in | Warm sleepers and summer nights |
| Washing | Dry clean, or hand wash at 30 °C with a silk detergent | Machine wash at 40 °C with a liquid detergent |
| Drying | No tumble dryer | Hang, or tumble on low and remove while damp |
| Ironing | Low setting | Warm, or leave the creases |
| Sizes | Two set sizes, S/M and L/XL | S to XL for women, M to XXL for men |
| Who makes it | Tæwas, the silk line of Estonian designer Tanel Veenre | Linen Tales, made to order in Lithuania |
What does momme mean?
Momme (mm) is the traditional Japanese unit for the weight of silk cloth. One momme equals about 4.34 grams per square metre, so the number tells you how much silk is in the fabric: the higher it is, the denser and more opaque the cloth. Silk sold for sleepwear commonly sits between about 16 and 25 momme; lighter weights are typical of scarves.
Is 22 momme good for pyjamas?
Yes. At 22 momme a pyjama set has enough body to hang well and is less see through than lighter silks, while staying light enough to sleep in all year. The Tæwas sets are 22 momme throughout, whether shirt and trousers or camisole and shorts.
What is mulberry silk?
Mulberry silk comes from the cocoons of the domesticated silkworm, Bombyx mori, which feeds on mulberry leaves. Because the worms are raised, the filaments are long and even, which gives the smooth, lustrous cloth associated with silk sleepwear. Wild silks, such as tussah, use shorter, irregular fibres and feel coarser.
Silk or linen if you sleep warm?
Linen. Its open weave lets air move through and it releases moisture quickly, which is why it is the Nordic summer fabric. Silk is light and pleasant on the skin, but it is a thinner, closer cloth and holds a little more warmth than an open linen weave. If you run hot at night, start with linen; if you run cool, or simply want the feel of silk, choose silk.
How to wash silk pyjamas
Follow the maker's label. For the Tæwas sets that means dry cleaning, or a hand wash at 30 °C with a detergent made for silk, and no tumble dryer. Iron on a low setting. Beyond the label, the usual silk practice applies: do not wring, press the water out in a towel, and dry on a hanger away from direct sun.
How to wash linen pyjamas
Linen is the easy one. Machine wash at 40 °C with a liquid detergent rather than a harsh powder, and use oxygen based bleach only on white linen. Hang to dry, or tumble on low and take it out while still damp. Iron warm for a smooth finish, or wear it with the creases. More in our linen care guide.
The pyjamas we carry
Tæwas is the silk line of Tanel Veenre, the Tallinn born jewellery artist and designer. The prints are his: skies and clouds, with a winged seahorse motif. There are two long sets, Blue Sky and Sunset, a button front shirt with trousers, and two short sets, Blue and Beige, a camisole with shorts. Linen Tales makes linen pyjamas and loungewear to order in Lithuania, in 100% linen at 150 g/m² with OEKO-TEX certified fabric, for women and men. All are in Loungewear & Sleepwear.
Common questions
Are silk pyjamas worth it? If you value the feel and are happy to hand wash, yes: 22 momme mulberry silk is light, smooth and substantial enough to wear all year. If you want low maintenance and the coolest option for hot nights, linen is the better buy.
What momme is best for silk pyjamas? Around 19 to 25 momme. At 22 momme, as in the Tæwas sets, silk has enough weight to hang well without feeling heavy.
Can you machine wash silk pyjamas? Follow the label. The Tæwas sets are dry clean or hand wash at 30 °C with a silk detergent, and must not be tumble dried.
Are linen pyjamas good for hot sleepers? Yes. An open linen weave lets air through and dries quickly, which makes it the cooler choice on warm nights.
What is the difference between mulberry silk and other silk? Mulberry silk comes from domesticated silkworms fed on mulberry leaves, which gives long, even fibres and a smooth finish. Wild silks use shorter fibres and feel coarser.
More from the atelier: Loungewear & Sleepwear and bathrobe vs loungewear set.
