There's a special kind of tired that only an Australian summer can deliver. The fan is on full, the sheet is kicked off, a small someone has climbed into your bed radiating heat like a hot water bottle. If you've been searching for how to sleep in hot weather, we've got you. This is our practical game plan for warmer nights, from what to do in the afternoon to what to wear to bed in summer, written by a team of Aussies who've survived plenty of sticky nights.
How to sleep in hot weather: what actually works?
The trick is to stop heat building up during the day, keep air moving at night and wear only as much fabric as you need. None of it needs fancy gadgets, and most of it costs nothing at all.
What should you do in the afternoon?
- Close the blinds and curtains on the sunny side of the house by lunchtime, and keep the windows shut while it's hotter outside than in.
- Give the oven a night off. A barbecue, a big salad or last night's leftovers stop the kitchen from heating up the rest of the house.
- Swap the doona for a flat cotton or linen sheet, and leave a light blanket folded at the end of the bed.
- Pop a damp face washer in a zip lock bag in the fridge so it's ready and waiting at bedtime.
What should you do in the evening?
- Open the windows as soon as it's cooler outside, which is often once the sea breeze or a cool change rolls in. Fly screens are your best friend here.
- Face a pedestal fan towards an open window to push warm air out, or switch your ceiling fan to its summer setting so it sends air down onto the bed.
- Have a lukewarm or cool shower before bed and save the long, steamy one for winter.
- Keep a bottle of water on your bedside table.
- If you have air con, run it for a little while before bed so the room feels comfortable when you climb in.
What if you wake up hot at 2am?
Stick your feet out from under the sheet, flip your pillow to the cool side and grab that face washer from the fridge. If your partner (or a toddler) is giving off serious heat, claim your own side and sleep starfish style. Most nights cool off in the early hours, and that's exactly when the light blanket at the end of the bed earns its spot.
What should you wear to bed in summer?
The rule is simple: less fabric, a loose fit and something that breathes. Beyond that, it depends on the kind of hot night you're having, because a muggy Brisbane night and a dry Adelaide scorcher feel completely different. Here's how we dress for each one.
On a sticky, humid night
Humidity is when you want as much skin as possible in the breeze, so a cami and shorts wins every time. Our Cloud Cami in chocolate is made from a luxuriously soft cotton modal blend with a lovely drape, plus a built in shelf bra with elastic support and adjustable straps, so you can skip the bra altogether. It's a relaxed fit, and Sophie wears a size 14.
On a dry, hot night
When the heat is dry, light cotton is the easy choice because it breathes and feels soft against warm skin. The Gigi High Waisted Short is made from 100% soft, breathable cotton in a lightweight jersey, with our custom leopard print, pockets and the Cachia elastic waistband. It sits high on the waist with a longer leg and a 12.5cm inleg, so you get a little more coverage than our OG Short. Pair it with the Cloud Cami or your favourite old tee.
On a breezy night or with the air con on
Satin is the fabric we get asked about most. The Forever Yours Satin PJ Set is a soft and stretchy polyester elastane satin with short sleeves, shorts with pockets, a satin waist tie and silver piping, all in a silver leopard print on a crisp white base. Satin feels gorgeous and cool when you first slip into bed, but it doesn't breathe like cotton, so we save it for nights when a breeze, a fan or the air con is doing the heavy lifting. It started life as our very first bridesmaid set, and it's just as lovely on an ordinary Tuesday.
What is the best fabric to sleep in when it's hot?
Natural, breathable fibres are the simple answer. Cotton absorbs moisture and lets air through, which is why it's our go to for summer, and our luxuriously soft cotton modal blend feels smooth and drapey on warm skin. Linen is another breathable favourite, especially for sheets.
The fabrics to pack away until winter are anything thick, brushed or fluffy, like flannelette, fleece and chunky knits. Watch out for tight elastic too, because it can leave hot, sticky bands around your waist. Satin sits somewhere in the middle: beautiful to touch and best with good airflow.
FAQs
Is it cooler to sleep with or without pyjamas?
It comes down to personal preference. Light, loose pyjamas in a breathable fabric absorb moisture so you don't feel stuck to the sheets.
Does sleeping with a fan on keep you cool?
A fan doesn't lower the temperature of the room, but moving air across your skin helps you feel cooler. Pointing it at an open window can also push warm air out once it's cooler outside.
Is satin cool to sleep in?
Satin feels cool and silky against your skin, but it's less breathable than cotton. It's best on warm nights with a breeze, a fan or air con rather than the stickiest, most humid ones.
What should I wear to bed in summer?
Choose loose, lightweight pieces in a breathable fabric, like a cami and shorts or a short sleeve set. The less fabric touching your skin, the cooler you'll feel.