Sleepwear Glossary: 47 Pajama, Fabric and Care Terms, Explained

A shortie is a pajama set with very short shorts, a chemise is a one-piece slip-like nightgown or undergarment, and a sleepshirt (nightshirt) is a long, loose shirt worn alone in bed. The difference is coverage and construction: two pieces with short bottoms, one piece that hangs from straps, or one piece cut like a long shirt.

This glossary defines 47 sleepwear terms in one sentence each, grouped by styles, details, fibers, fabrics, certifications and care-label language, with an Eberjey piece that shows each one.

Pajama styles

• Shortie: At Eberjey, a two-piece set with a low-rise cheeky short, such as the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Shortie Short PJ Set.
• Cami (camisole): A sleeveless top for women, typically with thin spaghetti straps and extending to the waist; see the Frida TENCEL™ Modal Cami & Shortie Short PJ Set.
• Chemise: A woman’s one-piece undergarment or nightdress, like the lace-paneled Mariana TENCEL™ Modal Chemise with lined cups.
• Slip: A loose dress- or skirt-length piece that hangs from the shoulders by narrow straps, like the Lara TENCEL™ Modal Slip.
• Babydoll: A short, sleeveless nightgown with a loose skirt; the Washable Silk Printed Ruffle Babydoll has an A-line silhouette and flounce hem.
• Romper: A one-piece garment combining a top and short pants, such as the Mariana TENCEL™ Modal Romper.
• Sleepshirt (nightshirt): A long, loose shirt worn in bed; Eberjey calls the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Sleepshirt a feminine take on its classic PJ set.
• Boxer pant: In Eberjey’s line, a relaxed straight-leg sleep pant with a faux fly, like the Nautico Boxer Pant.
• Henley: A collarless pullover knit shirt with buttons partway down the front, as on the Henry TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set.

Details and trims

• Notch collar: A collar that forms a notch where it meets the lapel, the classic pajama-top collar on the Inez Washable Silk Long PJ Set.
• Piping: A narrow strip of folded fabric sewn into a seam to outline edges, the contrast trim on the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set.
• Whipstitch: A stitch that passes diagonally over an edge; Frida pieces such as the Frida TENCEL™ Modal Long PJ Set feature artisanal whipstitch piping.
• Cheeky short: Eberjey’s term for the low-rise short on shortie sets such as the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Shortie Short PJ Set.
• Lettuce edge: A rippled, wavy hem made by stretching the fabric edge as it is stitched, as on the Pointelle Pant.

Fibers

• Rayon: A manufactured fiber made of regenerated cellulose, under U.S. labeling rules.
• Viscose: The name used on many labels for rayon made by the viscose process; the Nautico Long PJ Set is 63% viscose.
• Modal: A type of rayon engineered for high strength when wet.
• TENCEL™ Modal: Branded modal fibers sold under the LENZING™ TENCEL™ name; Gisele is 95% LENZING™ TENCEL™ Modal. Read What Is TENCEL™ Modal Fabric?
• Lyocell: A type of rayon made by dissolving cellulose in an organic solvent and spinning it into fiber.
• Mulberry silk: Silk from cocoons of the domesticated silk moth, Bombyx mori, whose larvae feed mainly on mulberry leaves.
• Washable silk: Eberjey’s name for its 100% silk that the label says can be hand washed or machine washed cold on a delicate cycle. See What Is Washable Silk?
• Momme: A traditional Japanese unit of weight (3.75 grams) used to express the weight of silk fabric; Eberjey describes the silk in its Inez Washable Silk Eye Mask as 16 momme.
• Pima cotton: Cotton from Gossypium barbadense, an extra-long staple species prized for soft, durable fabric; see the Organic Pima Cotton Long PJ Set.
• Organic cotton: Cotton grown without synthetic fertilizers or pesticides, from non-genetically modified plants.
• Linen: Cloth made from the fibers of the flax plant; the Garment Dyed Linen Short Set is 100% linen.
• Elastane (spandex): A stretch fiber made mostly of segmented polyurethane; Gisele pajamas contain 5%.
• Modacrylic: A synthetic fiber made partly of acrylonitrile, blended with organic cotton in Eberjey flannel.
• Recycled polyester: Polyester made from previously used polyester or PET plastic rather than newly produced polymer; the Recycled Boucle Waffle Robe is 100% post-consumer recycled polyester.

Fabrics and knits

• Flannel: A soft fabric, often brushed to raise a fine nap; the Flannel Long PJ Set is 50% organic cotton, 50% modacrylic.
• Pointelle: An openwork knit with a pattern of small holes, used in the Pointelle Pant.
• Rib knit: A knit with vertical ridges that stretches more in width than length, as in the Gisele TENCEL™ Modal Rib Long PJ Set.
• Bouclé: A looped yarn, or the fabric made from it; see the Recycled Boucle Hoodie.
• French terry: A knit with loops on the inside and a smooth, flat outside, used in the French Terry Sweatshirt.
• Jersey: A knit made with a single set of needles; it stretches across its width and its cut edges roll.

Certifications

• OEKO-TEX® Standard 100: A label for textiles tested for harmful substances, with every thread, button and accessory tested. See What Is OEKO-TEX Certification?
• bluesign®: An independent system that screens chemical inputs and processes from the start of textile production; Eberjey’s washable silk uses bluesign®-certified processes.

Care-label terms

• Machine wash cold: Water up to 86°F (30°C) at the start of the cycle.
• Hand wash cold: Gentle squeezing by hand in water up to 86°F (30°C).
• Gentle or delicate cycle: Slow agitation and reduced time.
• Tumble dry low: Use a machine dryer on low heat.
• Lay flat to dry: Lay the garment out horizontally to dry.
• Line or hang dry: Hang the damp garment from a line or bar.
• Remove promptly: Take items out as soon as they are dry, or as soon as the wash ends, to prevent wrinkling.
• Only non-chlorine bleach: Only the specified bleach may be used when needed; chlorine bleach may not.
• Do not bleach: No bleach of any kind may be used.
• Cool iron / warm iron: The lowest or the medium iron setting.
• Mesh washbag: A bag Eberjey recommends for machine washing its washable silk.

Full routines are in How to Care for Luxury Sleepwear So It Lasts for Years.

Eberjey fabrics and their care labels

Frequently asked questions

What is the difference between a shortie, a chemise and a sleepshirt?

A shortie is a two-piece set with very short shorts, a chemise is a one-piece slip-like nightgown or undergarment, and a sleepshirt is a long, loose shirt worn alone in bed.

What is the difference between a chemise and a slip?

Both are one-piece garments. A slip hangs from narrow shoulder straps and runs dress or skirt length, while chemise is a broader term for a woman’s one-piece undergarment or nightdress.

Is modal the same as rayon?

Modal is a type of rayon. Rayon is regenerated cellulose, and modal is a version engineered for high strength when wet.

What does momme mean for silk?

Momme is a traditional Japanese unit of weight used to express how heavy a silk fabric is. Eberjey describes the silk in its Inez eye mask as 16 momme.

What does lay flat to dry mean?

It means laying the garment out horizontally to dry instead of hanging it or using a dryer.

What is non-chlorine bleach on a care label?

Only the specified non-chlorine bleach may be used when needed, and chlorine bleach may not be used.

What does OEKO-TEX Standard 100 mean?

It is a label for textiles tested for harmful substances. OEKO-TEX says every thread, button and accessory is tested.

Sources

• eCFR (U.S. Federal Trade Commission rule), “16 CFR 303.7 Generic names and definitions for manufactured fibers”
• U.S. Federal Trade Commission, “Care Labeling of Textile Wearing Apparel and Certain Piece Goods (rule text and glossary)”
• Museum of Fine Arts, Boston (CAMEO), “Modal fiber”
• USDA Agricultural Research Service, “Pima cotton” (Agricultural Research magazine)
• OEKO-TEX®, “OEKO-TEX® STANDARD 100”
• Merriam-Webster, “Chemise”