With pockets or without pockets
Short answer: A pocket is practical for a phone, a handkerchief or keys, but it can also chafe or twist in bed. Choose pockets if you wear the clothes around the house, and no pockets if you sleep in them.
What a pocket can be used for
A pocket lets you carry small things without looking for a bag. In pyjamas or night trousers it can hold a handkerchief, a phone or a small key when you move around at home. That is especially practical if you get up early and take the dog out, or wear the trousers as loungewear in the evening. The pocket should be deep enough that things do not fall out when you sit down.
Drawbacks of pockets
In bed a pocket holding a phone or keys can be uncomfortable. It can press on the hip or pull the trousers out of shape. Pockets also add fabric and an extra seam, which some people feel against the skin. In thin clothes a full pocket can pull the trousers crooked. Clothes without pockets lie more calmly and are easier to pack and wash.
What suits which clothes
For nightwear you sleep in, a smooth cut without pockets is often best, because you should not feel anything. For loungewear and pyjama trousers you walk around in, pockets make sense. See bamboo pajamas for men, where you can choose by how you use the clothes. Think about what you usually carry when you move around at home.
Night trousers and pockets
Night trousers are made for resting, and pockets are rarely needed here. If you want one for a handkerchief, a small pocket may be enough. See night pants for men, where you can compare the design. Choose trousers with flat seams and a pocket that lies smooth, so that it does not chafe when you lie on your side.
Underwear and pockets
Underwear does not usually have pockets, but some styles have a small opening or fold to keep the shape. See bamboo underwear for men, where cut and details vary. With underwear, flat seams and a clean cut matter more than pockets. That keeps the garment from showing under other clothes and from chafing.
Our recommendation by situation
Choose pockets if you wear the clothes as loungewear and want small things at hand. Choose no pockets if you sleep in the clothes or want a simple, calm cut. If you are unsure, choose a small, flat pocket that is useful but does not intrude. You can also use one set with pockets for daytime and one without for the night.
Frequently asked questions
Can pockets chafe in bed
Yes, especially if there is something in the pocket or the seam is thick. A flat pocket with a smooth seam chafes less.
Are pockets impractical in nightwear
For sleeping often yes, but for loungewear they can be practical. It depends on how you use the clothes.
How big should pockets be
Big enough for a phone or handkerchief, but not so big that they sag. The depth must hold things when you sit.
