Greetings, friends! And welcome to Caroline Finds It: my weekly newsletter where I reply to submissions from YOU for objects and products you need recommendations for.
It just so happens that I’ve received two very different, but equally specific requests for sleepwear in the past couple of weeks, and I’ve been in the market myself, since my cat scratched a giant hole into my favorite threadbare Celestine nightgown. If I learned anything from the time I spent working as a lingerie salesgirl and also designing PJs as an intern, it’s that thoughtful nightwear can really make a difference in the quality of your nighttime rituals. Assuming you sleep clothed, it’s what you’re wearing that your skin touches as you sleep more than the sheets you’re sleeping on. Let’s get into some high thread count PJ upgrades:
First, from Elizabeth in NYC:
“Pajama shorts for a man. My boyfriend exclusively wears one pair of raggedy black athletic shorts to bed. They fall just above his knees and are terrible. I would love to see something else come bedtime… any ideas? Would ideally be made in the USA, hardy (if he likes them, he will wear them EVERY night), and not break the bank (ideally under $50, but I don’t know if that is realistic). He likes soft materials, also merino wool. He looks nice in a shorter short, so a few inches above the knee would be good.”
Dear Elizabeth,
Your boyfriend’s shorts really do sound terrible! And I’m going to bet that he’s a little too old to get away with the college boy charm of sleeping in old athletic clothing. Unfortunately, there aren’t many Made in the USA options for men that I’ve vetted, but I do have a few short-ish short options that are high quality and come from smaller brands with good ethics:
Eberjey makes the very softest knit pjs. They wash well, retain their texture and color over time, and are made with Tencel instead of other plastic-based knit fibers. Unfortunately, they don’t sell the shorts separately, only in a set with a matching shirt for $128, but I can promise you that the quality is worth the cost and the softness is unparalleled!
Sleepy Jones is my favorite place for more traditional PJs, but I’m biased because I was their pre-launch design intern. In addition to a more tradition boxer-style pj short, they also make a style called the Martin Easy Short ($58), which is a woven cotton short with pockets. They’re made out of a high quality shirting-style fabric and will get softer over time. Bonus points for being answer-the-door appropriate!
Note: Both of the above brands have physical locations in NYC, in case you want to try them first!
One last option from a brand that I’ve heard of only recently: Harvest & Mill makes undyed/naturally dyed knits entirely in the US, and at a great price point. They kind of seem like a domestic, less expensive version of Industry of All Nations (a personal fave), and I’m here for it. They make a pair of organic cotton shorts for $54.
Another budget-friendly option is the Cool-stretch Sleep Short from Pact ($38), which has good reviews and comes from a terrific brand for fair-trade basics.
Replacing something that is such an integral part of a routine can be tricky, but I’ll be crossing my fingers for you! May he find something new and nicer that’s just as comforting as his ol’ standby.
And next, from Kaitlyn in Chicago:
“Nightgowns!
Short or knee length
No buttons front closures
Any sleeve length but not sleeveless (thin straps, etc)
Natural fabrics preferred, but not 100% required”
Dear Kaitlyn,
I’ve really got my work cut out for me with this one, because almost all nightgowns that come to mind either have thin straps, or are shirt-dress style with buttons down the front. And because I know some of you are thinking it: I’m sure as hell not going to recommend The Nap Dress. We can be more original than that.
As far as nightgowns go, I firmly believe that cotton is the only way. Stretchy nightgowns just get more tangly in bed, and silk— lovely in theory and fun every now and then, but who wants to hand wash and iron their everyday nightwear? Not me!
Since we need something with some sort of sleeve, I took inspo from an OG American Girl Doll style when researching this. Turn-of-the-century Teen but maybe with a lower yoke and higher hemline. And on that note: I am sorry to report that I have not found any short styles with more than a spaghetti strap in my research, but don’t worry — shortening the hemline is an easy task on a sewing machine, or for your local dry-cleaner.
The Lucy Nightgown from Ann Mashburn ($175) is made from Japanese cotton and has POCKETS! Chop a couple of inches off this cutie and you’ve got a perfect nightgown.
Salter House is a shop in Brooklyn that defined cottagecore before there was even a word for it. Their Darcy nightgown ($65) has seriously hot milkmaid vibes. Also from Salter House, the Lamb Nightgown has stunning details, including buttons hidden under a placket, if you can handle it.
While researching this, I found a UK-based brand called FAUNE that I am obsessed with. Talk about head-turning nightwear! I love the Calla nightgown (about $234) for you. It’s a lot of fabric, though, so it might not be ideal to actually sleep in, unless you are very still. For floating around your house on an autumnal Sunday? Perfection!
The Catrinette nightgown ($248) from DÔEN looks like it’s straight out of a sexy period drama, and also comes in black in case witchy victorian mansion is more your vibe. The smocking is not only a gorgeous detail, but will also give it a form-fitting but comfortable empire waist.
I took this pretty far in a direction you likely weren’t looking to go, but I firmly believe that all forms of clothing should be fun, and should help us feel like the best versions our ourselves. Who doesn’t want to feel like a cozy cotton-swathed maiden?
CALLING ALL NYC THRIFTERS
Cool Mom Moira in New Canaan, CT needs our help!
“My daughter is turning 12 and she asked me to take her thrifting in New York City for her birthday present. I am so flattered and shocked she thinks I am cool enough to not only go with, but have any idea where to go in the city. I am an East coast transplant originally from Idaho and was hoping you or your readers could help me put together a list of places to take her to for what will likely be the last year doing something with mom will be the birthday request.”
Beacon’s Closet, Buffalo Exchange, L Train Vintage, and Housing Works (my favorite) all have multiple locations and are pretty reliable for quality stuff. I’d recommend checking them out their locations first and choosing a route where you can hit many in close proximity — either in the East Village or Williamsburg/Greenpoint. These areas have lots of smaller vintage/thrift stores that you’ll likely encounter naturally on your route.
Readers: what are your favorite NYC treasure troves? Please drop your recs in the comments for Moira!
FAVORITE PRODUCT OF THE WEEK
Can I tell you a secret? It’s not actually a secret, just a very personal, slightly crazy quirk. For my entire adulthood I’ve been buying a specific type of underwear just for sleeping. Black, cotton, comfortable and breathable but not too frumpy. I used to buy the Stretch Cotton Bikini in bulk from Gap but have recently switched to the Classic Fit Bikini from Pact. Why? Well, when I go to sleep I want to feel as clean and comfy as possible. And when I get dressed in the morning, my undergarment needs are likely dependent on the outfit, so it makes sense to just start over (and as a former lingerie shopgirl, I still love a matching set!). I keep my underwear/sock drawers organized with open shoe boxes and am deeply satisfied by the box of uniform, perfectly folded black underwear when I open it each night at the beginning of my bedtime ritual.
Is there a product you’re looking for? Submit your request here. See you next week for fresh recommendations! xo Caroline
City Opera on the Chelsea/Midtown line is GREAT! It's also close to so many galleries and the high line. And Cure Thrift in the East Village has been on my list to pop in as well! But really I usually have the most luck at a Salvation Army or similar chain in a nice neighborhood. The prices are usually lower and not as picked over in other more curated spots.