FAQ

Everything we get asked, answered as plainly as we can. If your question is not here, email support@thecatspjs.com or call 310-900-0726, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Pacific.

Fabrics & feel

What are The Cat's Pajamas made of?

Almost everything we make is Peruvian Pima cotton or a Pima cotton blend. Pima is an extra-long-staple cotton: the longer fibers spin into a smoother, stronger, softer yarn that pills less and gets softer with washing. We make seven fabrics: Pima Knit (a soft jersey of 48% Pima cotton, 48% modal, 4% spandex), Luxe Pima (crisp poplin woven from 100% Peruvian Pima), Pima Organic (GOTS-certified 100% organic Pima jersey), Flannel (100% Peruvian Pima brushed on both sides, our heaviest), Voile (an airy 100% cotton woven in India), washable 19-momme Mulberry Silk, and Poplin (a classic 100% cotton broadcloth, crisper and a little heavier than Luxe Pima, now used only for our perennial Sushi print).

What's the difference between Luxe Pima, Pima Knit and Pima Organic?

Luxe Pima is a woven poplin: crisp, cool and softly structured, like a fresh-pressed shirt, with no stretch. Pima Knit is a jersey knit blended with modal and a touch of spandex, so it drapes, moves with you and has a little stretch; it is the softest and the one people say they never want to take off. Pima Organic is also a jersey knit, but 100% organic cotton with no synthetic fibers, certified by GOTS. If you sleep warm, start with Luxe Pima or Voile. If you want soft and stretchy, Pima Knit. If you want the purest fiber for sensitive skin, Pima Organic.

Which fabric is best for hot sleepers or summer?

Voile is our lightest and most breathable fabric, an airy, loosely woven 100% cotton made for hot nights and travel. Luxe Pima is the next lightest: crisp cotton poplin that stays cool and is comfortable year-round in most climates. Both are woven, so they hold air off the skin rather than clinging.

Which fabric is warmest for winter?

Flannel. Ours is 100% Peruvian Pima cotton brushed on both sides to a thick, sumptuous finish, and it is the heaviest fabric we make. Pima Knit is the middle ground: warmer than Luxe Pima or Voile because it is a knit, but not as heavy as flannel.

What is Pima cotton, and how is it different from Supima or Egyptian cotton?

Pima, Supima and Egyptian cotton are all extra-long-staple (ELS) varieties of the same cotton species, Gossypium barbadense. Supima is a trademark for Pima grown in the United States; Egyptian cotton is grown in the Nile valley. Ours is Peruvian Pima, hand-picked in the Piura region, which produces some of the longest, silkiest fibers in the world. Hand-picking (rather than machine harvesting) keeps the fibers intact, which is why Peruvian Pima has a noticeable luster and softness.

Are your pajamas good for sensitive skin?

Many customers with sensitive skin choose our Pima Organic and Luxe Pima styles. Both are 100% cotton with no synthetic fibers, and the long Pima staple spins into a smoother yarn with fewer loose fiber ends against the skin. Pima Organic is GOTS-certified, which restricts the chemicals used in growing and processing the cotton. Our adult pajamas are not treated with flame-retardant chemicals.

Do your pajamas have stretch?

Pima Knit has real stretch, from 4% spandex. Pima Organic is a jersey knit, so it gives a little without any spandex. Luxe Pima, Poplin, Voile, Flannel and Silk are wovens with no stretch, so we cut them with extra room.

Where are your pajamas made?

Peru. Our Pima cotton is grown, spun, woven or knitted, and sewn within a few hours of Lima, in a factory that holds a Platinum WRAP (Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production) certification. Keeping the whole process in one country cuts shipping between steps and lets us visit the people who make our pajamas regularly. Our Voile is woven in India. The company itself is based in Santa Monica, California, and was founded in Berkeley in 1998.

Are your kids’ pajamas flame resistant?

No, and they do not need to be. US law gives children’s sleepwear two paths: treat the fabric with flame-retardant chemicals, or cut it snug-fitting. We chose snug-fitting, so our kids’ pajamas are cotton with no flame-retardant chemicals of any kind. Every kids’ style is lab-tested against the CPSC’s snug-fit measurements before we sell it. Because the fabric is untreated, snug is how it stays safe — that is why kids’ styles fit closer than our adult pajamas, and why each pair carries the CPSC’s “wear snug-fitting, not flame resistant” tag.

Sizing & fit

Do The Cat's Pajamas run true to size?

Yes, with a relaxed, roomy cut by design: our long-sleeved pajamas are modeled on a men's dress shirt and meant to be comfortable, not fitted. Most customers order their usual size. If you are between sizes, or you prefer a closer fit, size down; if you plan to tumble-dry often, stay with your usual size. Capri sets have a slightly more fitted top. Our women's sizes are XS (0–2), S (4–6), M (8–10), L (12–14), XL (16), with 1XL (18), 2XL (20) and 3XL (22) in select styles.

What sizes do you offer?

Women's XS through XL in every style, and 1XL to 3XL in select styles. Men's pajamas come in S through XL. Kids' sizes run 2 through 10. Robes come in S/M (4–8) and M/L (10–14). Every product page has a size chart with bust, waist and hip measurements.

Will my pajamas shrink?

A little. Cotton shrinks about 5% in the first wash — roughly a quarter inch in length — and we have already built that into the sizing, so you do not need to size up. Our knits are pre-shrunk and our wovens are not, but both settle by about the same amount. Washing cold and tumbling on low, or hanging to dry, keeps it to a minimum.

Do you make men's, kids' or matching family pajamas?

Yes. Several of our prints are made in women's, men's and kids' sizes so families can match. Men's pajamas come in S–XL and kids' in sizes 2–10. Look for the 'Family' or 'Men's' collections, or search the print name to see every size it comes in.

How do I find the right size?

Every product page has a size guide with body measurements for that style. If you would like a recommendation, email support@thecatspjs.com with your height, usual size and how you like your pajamas to fit, and we will point you to the right one.

Care

How should I wash my pajamas?

Machine wash cold, inside out, with like colors, then tumble dry low or hang to dry. That is it for Luxe Pima, Pima Knit, Pima Organic, Poplin, Voile and Flannel. Skip bleach and fabric softener; softener coats cotton fibers and makes them feel less soft over time. Silk: hand wash or machine wash cold on delicate in a mesh bag with a gentle detergent, and lay flat to dry.

How do I keep the prints bright?

Wash inside out in cold water, and keep them out of direct sun while drying. The inside-out wash protects the printed face of the fabric from rubbing against zippers and other garments, which is what dulls prints over time.

Do your pajamas pill?

Pima cotton's long fibers make it far less prone to pilling than ordinary cotton. Pima Knit, because it is a jersey blend, benefits from a gentle cycle and a break between washes. If a pill does appear, a fabric shaver removes it without harming the fabric.

Shipping

Do you offer free shipping?

Yes. Every US order ships free by ground, no minimum. 2-Day FedEx is $6.95 on any US order. Orders placed by 1pm Pacific (4pm Eastern) on a business day ship the same day; later orders ship the next business day.

How fast will my order arrive?

Free ground shipping arrives in 2–5 business days depending on how far you are from Los Angeles; most West Coast orders arrive in 2 days, East Coast in 4–5. 2-Day FedEx ($6.95) arrives within 2 business days anywhere in the US and delivers on Saturdays. We ship same day or next business day; during our busiest weeks (Black Friday through mid-December, Mother's Day) it can take 2–3 days to leave our warehouse. You will get a tracking email the moment it ships.

Do you offer expedited or overnight shipping?

Yes. 2-Day FedEx is $6.95 on any US order. FedEx overnight is also available at checkout; for Saturday delivery choose Priority Overnight, because Standard Overnight does not deliver on Saturdays.

Do you ship internationally?

Yes, to most countries, via FedEx, UPS, USPS or DHL, with rates shown at checkout. Duties, taxes and brokerage fees are set by the destination country, are not included in our shipping charge, and are billed to you by the carrier on delivery. Canadian orders of CAD 100 or more ship free; under that, ground shipping to Canada is CAD 12.95. We cannot provide prepaid return labels for international orders.

Do you ship to PO boxes or APO/FPO addresses?

Yes. PO box and military addresses ship via USPS.

How do I track my order?

Use the tracking link in your shipping confirmation email, sign in to your account, or check the Shop app if you used Shop Pay. If tracking shows 'canceled', we most likely reprinted the label; your order is on its way, and support@thecatspjs.com can send the updated tracking.

My package says delivered but I can't find it. What do I do?

Check with neighbors and building staff first; carriers sometimes mark a package delivered a few hours early. If it has not turned up within 2 business days, email support@thecatspjs.com with your order number and we will open a trace with the carrier and make it right. If you added Return & Package Protection at checkout, lost, stolen or damaged packages are replaced right away.

Can I ship one order to several addresses?

Not at checkout, but email us the details and we will split it for you, or place a separate order for each address.

Orders & payment

What payment methods do you accept?

All major credit and debit cards, PayPal, Apple Pay, Amazon Pay and Shop Pay, including Shop Pay installments. You can check out as a guest or create an account. Prefer to order by phone? Call 310-900-0726, Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm Pacific.

Can I change or cancel my order?

Yes, as long as it has not shipped, and we ship fast, so email support@thecatspjs.com, use the chat button, or call 310-900-0726 as soon as possible with your order number. Once an order has shipped, you can start a return or exchange the day it arrives.

I received the wrong item or something is missing.

We are sorry. Email support@thecatspjs.com or call 310-900-0726 and we will ship the correct item right away, with a prepaid pouch to send back anything that arrived by mistake.

Do you have sales or discount codes?

We run occasional promotions rather than sitewide sales. We keep our prices steady year-round instead of marking up to mark down, so the best way to hear about a promotion is to sign up for our emails — we announce them there first. A small Sale collection holds end-of-season prints at a reduced price; those items can be exchanged or returned for store credit but not refunded. When we do offer a code, only one can be used per order and codes cannot be combined with sale prices.

Will an item come back in stock?

If a sold-out size shows a 'Notify me when available' button, it is on order and you will get one email when it lands. If there is no button, that print was a one-season run and will not return. Our perennial styles, including the solids and a core group of prints, are restocked continuously.

Why does my order confirmation come from a different email than the one I contacted?

Order emails come from our system address; our support team writes back from support@thecatspjs.com. Both are us.

Gifting

Do you offer gift wrapping?

Yes. For $10 we pack your pajamas in a magnetic-closure gift box with a hand-written note. Add it on the product page just above the Add to Bag button, choose the size, and a box will appear for your message. You can add a box and note to each item in an order, as long as they are all shipping to the same address.

Will the recipient see the price?

No. Every order ships with a gift receipt that shows what is in the box and who sent it, never the price.

Can the recipient exchange a gift without telling me?

Yes. Everything we sell is exchangeable. The recipient goes to thecatspjs.com/returns, selects 'Returning a gift', and enters their own email and address; you are not notified.

Can I add a gift note without a gift box?

Yes. Email support@thecatspjs.com with your order number and the message, and we will include a hand-written note at no charge.

Do you sell gift cards, and do they expire?

Yes, digital gift cards in any amount, delivered by email. They never expire. Redeem one at checkout by entering the code in the discount/gift card field. If you have lost the code, email support@thecatspjs.com and we will find it.

Do you offer bridal party, group or corporate gifting?

Yes. For bridal parties we offer 20% off groups of 8 or more sets, and we can help with print selection, sizing across the group, individual gift notes and shipping to one address or many. Email support@thecatspjs.com with the number of sets and your date. For corporate and team gifting, email us and we will put together a quote.

What are the holiday order deadlines?

We post the exact dates on the site each December, once the carriers publish their cut-offs. Because 2-Day FedEx is available on every order with no minimum, our deadline is usually later than you would expect. Gift boxes do not add any time.

Returns & exchanges

What is your return policy?

Return or exchange anything within 30 days of receipt as long as it is unworn, unwashed and in original condition. Exchanges and returns for store credit always ship back free with our prepaid label. Returns for a refund to your original payment method cost $7.95 for our prepaid label, or you can mail the package back yourself; if you added Return Protection at checkout, the refund label is free too. Sale items can be exchanged or returned for store credit but not refunded. Gift boxes and gift cards are final sale.

What is Return Protection at checkout?

For $2.98 at checkout, Return Protection gives you a free prepaid label on any return, including returns for a refund, plus coverage if your package is lost, stolen or damaged in transit. Exchanges and store-credit returns are free with or without it; it mainly matters if you think you might want a refund.

How do I start a return or exchange?

Go to thecatspjs.com/returns and enter your order number (it starts with a C) and shipping zip code. Choose the items, pick a new size or color for a straight exchange, or choose 'Shop Now' to exchange for something else and your credit will be applied in the cart. Print the label or ask for a QR code if you do not have a printer.

How fast will I get my exchange?

Two options. Standard exchange: we ship the new item as soon as the carrier scans your return. Instant exchange: we ship the new item right away and place a hold on your card; if your return is not on its way within 14 days, the card is charged.

When will I get my refund?

We issue the refund as soon as your return is checked in, usually the day it arrives, less the $7.95 label fee if you used our label without Return Protection. Your bank can take another 3–5 business days to post it. Store credit is issued instantly when the carrier scans the package.

Do you extend returns for holiday gifts?

Yes. Anything purchased in November or December can be returned or exchanged through January 31.

Can I return an international order?

Yes, though we cannot provide a prepaid label. Ship it with tracking to The Cat's Pajamas Returns, 1756 22nd Street, Santa Monica, CA 90404, and we will refund the purchase (less original shipping) or send your exchange.

Can I return pajamas I bought at Nordstrom or a boutique?

Please return those to the store you bought them from; we can only accept returns for orders placed on thecatspjs.com.

Sustainability & how we make things

Are your pajamas sustainably made?

We think so, and we can show our work. Our Pima cotton is grown, spun, woven or knitted and sewn in Peru, so fabric is not shipped around the world between steps — a seed-to-finished-garment approach that cuts waste and transport. The factory that makes our pajamas holds a Platinum WRAP certification, the top tier of the Worldwide Responsible Accredited Production program. Our Pima Organic line is certified by GOTS, the leading global standard for organic textiles.

Are your pajamas made ethically?

Yes. The factory that makes our pajamas is WRAP Platinum certified, which audits wages, hours, health and safety and freedom of association. The workshops are clean and airy, workers are paid a living wage, and we visit regularly.

Are your pajamas organic?

Our Pima Organic collection is 100% GOTS-certified organic Pima cotton. Our other Pima fabrics are conventionally grown but traceable to the farm.

What does 'the cat's pajamas' mean?

It is 1920s American slang for something excellent, the best of its kind, in the same family as 'the bee's knees'. We took the name in 1998 because that is the standard we wanted for a pair of pajamas.

About The Cat's Pajamas

Who is The Cat's Pajamas?

The Cat's Pajamas is an independent, family-owned sleepwear brand founded in Berkeley, California in 1998 and based in Santa Monica since 2015. We design printed and solid pajamas, nightgowns, robes and loungewear for women, men and kids in Peruvian Pima cotton, and we are known for vibrant original prints and a relaxed, comfortable fit.

Where can I buy The Cat's Pajamas?

At thecatspjs.com, at Nordstrom.com, and at independent boutiques across the United States. Email support@thecatspjs.com and we will point you to the stockist nearest you. Our Santa Monica office is not a retail store.

Do you design your own prints?

Yes. Every print is drawn in-house in Santa Monica, then printed on our fabric in Peru. Most prints are made for a single season, which is why a favorite may not come back; a small group of perennial prints and solids is always in stock.

Why do your pajamas cost more than department-store pajamas?

Hand-picked extra-long-staple Peruvian Pima costs several times what commodity cotton costs, and we sew in a WRAP-certified factory rather than the cheapest one available. In return you get a pajama that stays soft, holds its color and lasts for years instead of seasons.

Wholesale & partnerships

Can my store carry The Cat's Pajamas?

We would love that. Email sales@thecatspjs.com and our wholesale team will send the current line sheet, minimums and delivery dates.

Do you work with affiliates, creators or press?

Yes. Our affiliate program runs through LTK and Group8A. For press samples, collaborations or creator partnerships, email support@thecatspjs.com with a link to your work.

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