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If you’ve never invested in nice PJs, I’m going to convince you that it’s time. And if you’re already a fan of luxurious pajamas, then you must try LAKE.
I was introduced to LAKE Pajamas when I was newly postpartum with my son, Thomas. For years, I never purchased actual pajamas, but instead just slept in workout clothes or ratty old t-shirts. Then, I finally bought true pajamas when I became a mom (I needed something that was easy to nurse in) and liked them, but wasn’t in love with anything. Then, I finally tried LAKE Pajamas and I’m now a pajamas snob. I had no idea what I was missing until I finally caved in and purchased a pair for myself. (And yes, they are are a splurge, especially if you haven’t bought real pajamas before.)
I kept hearing people talk about LAKE Pajamas on Instagram, and when I finally decided to give them a try, I wanted to kick myself for not giving in earlier and wasting money on other brands. They are worth the hype.
If you’re anything like I was, and not sure what the hype is all about, or maybe you’ve decided you want to get a pair of pajamas, but you’re not sure which ones, then I’ve got you covered in this post. I’m going to share my honest review, the sets that are worth buying, how to take care of them, and what size to order.
Before I tell you which pairs you need (all of them, ahem), let me give you a little background. The company was started by two friends: Cassandra Cannon and Anne Read Lattimore, while they were looking for PJs that met their dream requirements. They wanted a set that was stylish AND comfortable. They weren’t looking for sexy sleepwear, and they wanted something better than their old T-shirts. So they founded LAKE to create classic pajamas that were softer than anything on the market.
Since their start, they’ve garnered coverage on large media platforms like Forbes, Town & Country, Vouge, and the WSJ.
LAKE is known well for their signature 100% Peruvian Pima Cotton fabric that feels unlike anything in your closet. My fabric fabric is their DreamKnit fabric (which also doesn’t shrink, like their pima cotton sets).
LAKE is based in Savannah, Georgia and is primarily e-commerce. However, there are two brick and mortar stores in Atlanta and Charleston. I got to stop into the Charleston location on a “mini vacation” weekend last winter and it’s even better than I’d imagined. I could have bought everything and it’s just such a beautiful space.
One of the most common questions I get when I share LAKE Pajamas on social media is about sizing. Since you don’t typically wear PJs out of the house (but hey, I’m not judging if you do — okay, actually I am), sizing is more forgiving than with other clothes. However, LAKE isn’t cheap, so you’ll want to be sure to get the size that fits you best to get the most out of your pajamas.
In general, LAKE runs true to size. When they arrive, they’ll seem a tad large (and maybe a little long), and that’s because LAKE is accounting for a little shrinkage in the wash. Super soft material like that of pima cotton typically shrinks in the first wash, so LAKE accounts for it in their sizing. Don’t worry if your PJs seem a little big at first.
I get an XS or S in every pair that I buy. The pima cotton sets have shrunk, especially in length for the pants, but tops fit perfectly, or perhaps even a little large. The pants are designed to be slightly cropped, so if you want them to be full length, hang dry them. The other sets I’ve ordered from LAKE — namely the DreamKnit — haven’t shrunk quite as much.
Nope! However, like I mentioned, their Pima Cotton sets shrink in the wash. When your PJs arrive, they will fit true to size. And if you don’t plan to put them in the dryer, you can order your true size for every fabric. If you wash and dry the Pima or Cotton Poplin sets, they will shrink. DreamKnit will not.
The fabulous Lake Pajamas Summer Sale happens each year, and discounts throughout other parts of the year, but I’d encourage you not to wait to buy a set, even at full price– treat yourself now and thank me later. You can get 10% off code for your first order by signing up for their email and text list, so that’s the best way to save a little money if there isn’t a sale happening.
The best way to care for your pajamas is to wash them with similar colors on a delicate cycle. They recommend laying your PJs flat to dry (but let’s be real, who has time for that). You’ll definitely extended the wear of the set if you do as they say, though.
You can order LAKE online (they have free shipping over $50, and all of the PJs, except kids, are over $50, ha!), or you can stop into one of their stores in Atlanta or Charleston.
Okay, now let’s talk about the pajamas themselves.
The Pima Bundle was my very first set of LAKE Pajamas. The bundle comes with a short sleeve top, pair of shorts, and a pair of pants, so you can have the best of both worlds. Most of my Pima sets are size Small, but I recently purchased Medium (pictured below) to accommodate my growing bump. But, pre-pregnancy, size Small was perfect after they shrunk just a little to fit me perfectly. These are truly some of the softest cotton pajamas I’ve ever felt. They have an almost silky-like cotton feel. You know when something feels so soft that it almost feels cool to the touch? Yep, that’s the feeling you get when you put these on.
This bundle comes in 5 colorways, and I have a few different sets. The set pictured below unfortunately doesn’t come in a bundle, but it’s the same style as the long pants and top that will come in your bundle, so I’m including here! You can get this exact blockprint color in a pants set.
The next set in my lineup is the Pima Tank-Short set. This comes with shorts and a scoop neck tank top. Since I typically get warm when I sleep in the summer, the tank is perfect. I love the light blue and green combo (this colorway is called Saltwater), and the underarms aren’t huge like some tanks, which I appreciate. You can get this set in a ton of different colorways!
This ruffled tank set is the same material as the two sets above, but in a slightly more feminine cut that I LOVE for summer. I wear a size small in this style.
This set of Pajamas is VERY similar to the first Pima set I linked, but the shape of the Short Long Weekend Set is a little boxier. Instead of a wider boatneck, this set features a true crewneck. I love both and they’re just as comfortable as one another. It’s all about your style preference.
I’m not traditionally a nightgown person, but the Pima Ruffle Nightgown actually changed my mind. It’s loose and breathable, feminine and flattering, and most of all, the softest cotton ever. I wear an XS in this style since I’m not concerned with the length getting a tad shorter in the dryer. This is a great option for maternity since the straps pull down easily, but you can also find maternity specific pajamas online at LAKE.
This DreamKnit Pants set is my newest LAKE PJ addition. This is my favorite material that they make, and it does not shrink, so I get an XS. I find that I reach for these most often because I’m loving a tank with pants these days.
I was gifted this Pointelle PJ set from LAKE and it’s the only set I have in the pointelle material. It’s still pima cotton, but a little lighter weight, making it great for hot sleepers. I have a size small in this set.
I got this DreamKnit Kimono Set last fall and it’s definitely my cutest set. The top wraps up and has an interior tie to keep it secure so you can either wear it on it’s own or wear it with a tank. I got this set in an XS and it has not shrunk like the Pima Cotton sets. DreamKnit is a super soft material that has a more drapey feeling than the Pima Cotton. The pants have and wide leg and elastic waistband (just like all LAKE Pajamas). I do wish it came with regular tank and not only the kimono top since that’s not comfortable to sleep in.
If being too hot at night isn’t an issue for you, this button down set is SO cute.
I love the darker blue color of this set. It’s part of their “lounge” collection. I don’t sleep in it since it’s a bit heavier fabric but it’s perfect for lazy days. I have this set in an XS.
The LAKE Cozy Robe is named rather perfectly. I got this around Mother’s Day this past year and it was one of my favorite gifts ever. But I don’t wear it while I’m getting ready since it feels a little too nice to ruin everyday with makeup (I have a terry robe — this and this one — for when I’m getting ready), but still wear my LAKE robe daily. I put it on in first thing in the chilly mornings while I drink my coffee, and I wear it every night as I’m watching a show or reading. It’s a perfect gift to give for birthdays, Mother’s Day or Christmas. (I included it in my gift guide for 2022.)
I love the traditional turndown collar, a sewn-in belt (THANK YOU!) and the large pockets in the side of the robe.
On my wishlist is this Pocket Shorts Set made in LAKE’s poplin material. This set is not stretchy or drapey like the Dreamknit or the Pima Cotton, so it’s a little stiffer. I’d like to try it and see how it compares! If you prefer a more structured fit for your sleepwear, this will be a great option for you.
I secretly want to get this set since I know I’ll wear the long-sleeve button-up top as a shirt with jean shorts in the summer! It’s supposed to be super lightweight and airy.
I love that Lake has limited edition sets every so often where they collaborate with other designers and creatives for super unique patterns and prints. While the sets that we have from past collaborations are now sold out, I’ll share a few photos to give you a sense for the fun patterns they have every so often!
While Tommy wouldn’t likely wear a full PJ set, I did get him these Pajama pants last year (and got my brother in law a pair this year!), and he LOVES them. They’re SO much softer than guys are used to!
If you’ve read through the intro of this post, you know I adore LAKE Pajamas. I wish I had known about them sooner, but I’m so thankful I discovered them when I had Thomas so that I could appreciate them in my early postpartum days!
If I could recommend one set, it would be the Pima Bundle, so that you can try the shorts and the pants. Get your true size, unless you plan to dry them in the dryer or like your PJs a little roomier. Otherwise, stick to your traditional sizing and wash them on a delicate, cold cycle.
I hope you’ll order a pair of LAKE Pajamas and tell me what you think. If you already own and love LAKE, tell me in the comments below!
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5 responses to “LAKE Pajamas Review: The Softest Pajamas You’ll Ever Sleep In”
I love Lake pjs too! Where are your jeans from in one of the first photos? So cute!
I’m sorry. This article is so misleading. My daughter bought a set of Poplin Piped Pants Set in Bordeaux for me for Christmas. Had I known how much she spent, I would not have immediately tried them on for fit and put them in the washing machine to wear on Christmas night. When I took them out of the washer, they were a wrinkled mess. They are not soft or comfortable, in fact they shrunk, and I washed them on a gentle cycle using cold water. I wore them that night, reluctantly, because I didn’t want to disappoint her. I can’t believe she spent $138. I honestly wish there was a place to put a picture of what they looked like the next morning. I took a picture of this wrinkled mess because I could not believe the poor quality. I contacted their Customer Service to ask if Customer Satisfaction was of importance to them. They would not extend any kind of refund or return policy stating that of course a cotton pj set would shrink because it’s cotton fabric. I’m so disappointed with the product and the company. DO NOT purchase. They are NOT worth the cost.
I don’t think the article is misleading but I am sorry to hear that you had a bag experience. I’ve only had good experiences with their PJs. The one time I got a hole in a set that I’d only had for about a month, I reached out to their customer support and they sent me a replacement! They do explicitly state on their website about the shrinking and on the packaging.
I have multiple sets in the same material as the poplin, and they’re different than the Pima Cotton ones, but I knew that when I purchased them! LAKE makes a ton of styles with different materials, and I TRULY think they’re worth it — you may want to try a Pima set if you want stretchy!! This review isn’t misleading, since she’s talking about the DreamKnit and Pima sets!!
I LOVE my Lake pajamas, but I think the robe I have from there is actually better. It’s SO cute!