Do the waistbands dig in or roll down while I sleep?

A wide, flat elasticated waistband with a drawstring stays comfortable and put through the night, while thin or very tight elastic digs in and narrow bands roll down. If waistbands bother you, look for a soft, wide band and a relaxed fit. Sizing up slightly also eases pressure at the waist for sleeping.

Can I wear these lounging around the house, not just in bed?

Plain pyjama pants in a neutral colour double comfortably as lounge pants for relaxing at home, watching TV or quick tasks, which stretches their value. Bold prints or very worn pairs are best kept for bed. If you want them to work around the house, choose plain, tidy colours.

Pants or shorts for sleeping in our climate?

Pants suit cooler nights and winter; shorts suit hot summer nights. Across a South African year you'll likely want both and switch with the season. If buying one pair now, match it to the season that disrupts your sleep most — the winter cold in an unheated room or the summer heat.

How do I keep them soft and stop the colour fading?

Wash inside out in cold water, skip the occasional fabric softener to keep cotton breathable, and air-dry in shade rather than full sun or a hot dryer, which fade colour and stiffen fabric. Gentle, cold washing keeps them soft wash after wash, which matters since you wash sleepwear so often.