Breathable fabrics for sleep: why they matter

Those who sleep well feel better. This is particularly noticeable on warm summer nights, when we hardly get a wink of sleep because the bed linen is sticking uncomfortably to our skin. This results in us feeling exhausted and less able to function the next day. By opting for breathable fabrics, you can avoid this problem – and this is where CALIDA has come in for many years. Our sleepwear, which promotes the circulation of air, is not only wonderfully soft, it also actively helps your body to regulate its temperature at night.

by CALIDA

July 30, 20253 min reading time

Man in comfortable sleepwear made from breathable fabric sitting relaxed on the floor against a neutral background.

Breathable fabrics during sleep support skin comfort and noticeably improve sleep quality.

Table of Contents

The key points

  • Breathable fabrics regulate body temperature, offer moisture control and ensure that air circulates to keep you comfortable while sleeping.

  • Skin-friendly, temperature-regulating materials are particularly important at night – both in summer and winter.

  • In our CALIDA pyjamas, we use natural, breathable and environmentally friendly fibres such as organic cotton, TENCEL™ and silk.

A woman wears a long-sleeved shirt by CALIDA from the Favourites Dreams range. She is holding her right arm at the back of her neck. The text 'CALIDA - Born in Switzerland' can be seen in the picture.

What does breathability mean in the bedroom?

‘Breathable’ – for many, this sounds more like a property that sportswear should have and less like something that is also beneficial for sleepwear and bedding. But in fact, breathable fabrics allow air to circulate well and prevent heat build-up while you sleep.

But how do you know if and how breathable a fabric really is? There is a formula to calculate this, in which the water vapour permeability of a material is expressed in grams per square metre (g/m²). The higher the value, the more moisture can escape through the material within 24 hours – which leaves the skin feeling pleasantly dry.

Breathable fabrics have a value of over 5,000 gsm, while high-performance materials such as TENCEL™ can even achieve significantly greater breathability of up to 20,000 gsm.

Why mattresses, bedding and pyjamas should be breathable

A breathable bedroom starts with the mattress – but it doesn’t end there. Air-circulating toppers, sheets, etc. ensure a hygienic sleeping environment, but the fabrics that touch your skin directly are the ones that contribute to greater well-being and comfort.

While sleepwear made from synthetic materials retains heat and moisture, breathable pyjamas do exactly the opposite: they wick away moisture and support your body’s natural thermoregulation. This means you wake up less during the night and get more restful sleep.

These breathable natural fibres contribute to a good night’s sleep

Here at CALIDA, we use skin-friendly natural fibres with real added value throughout our entire range. We not only offer balancing pyjamas, but also styles with special cooling and warming properties – and they all have one thing in common: they are made from breathable fabrics that ensure the perfect night’s sleep all year round. Read on to find out what these materials are.

Cotton: a versatile fibre, all year round

For summer or winter, for adults, children or babies: thanks to its airiness, moisture regulation and durability, cotton is a true all-rounder in any wardrobe. Our high-quality CALIDA pyjamas made from organic cotton feel particularly soft and gentle on the skin – whether you opt for our temperature-regulating styles for year-round wear or our warming cotton flannel pyjamas.

TENCEL™: soft on the skin and completely dry

TENCEL™ is a true innovation among breathable fabrics. Its fibres, which are obtained from wood, are particularly cooling, offer moisture control and are also environmentally friendly. CALIDA pyjamas made from TENCEL™ feel silky-soft and stay dry – even if you experience hot flushes or night sweats.

And if you’ve ever wondered what the difference is between TENCEL™ Modal and TENCEL™ Lyocell, Modal is made from beech wood and is known for its particularly soft feel on the skin, while Lyocell is made from eucalyptus. The slightly firmer fabric is characterised by its particularly robust quality and is extremely breathable, meaning that it can absorb around 50% more moisture than cotton.

Silk: luxurious comfort on warm nights

Light, cooling and unbelievably elegant: thanks to its temperature-regulating, skin-friendly properties, silk is perfect for hot nights. Our Moonlight Dreams collection features gorgeous pyjamas made from a blend of TENCEL™ Modal and silk that feel particularly soft and smooth on the skin, and ensure optimal temperature regulation, even on the hottest nights.

If you want to wear silky-soft sleepwear in winter too, you can also discover warming pyjama pants and tops made from a breathable blend of wool and silk in the CALIDA range, for example in our True Confidence line or the Silky Wool Joy collection.

Linen: the ultimate summer fabric

Linen is known for its airy texture, optimal air circulation and for being quick-drying. The fibre, which is extracted from the flax plant, has a naturally cooling effect and is ideal for humid summer days and nights – whether you’re on holiday or home in your top-floor flat.

Conclusion

If you want to wake up feeling well-rested every day, you need to ensure maximum comfort at night. You can achieve this with breathable fabrics that offer your body the best possible support while you sleep. Whether made from TENCEL™, cotton or silk, at CALIDA, you’ll find high-quality pyjamas that not only look elegant, but also give your body exactly what it needs at night – from temperature-regulating and breathable to cooling or warming. With high-quality sleepwear, you’ll experience what it feels like to truly sleep comfortably.

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