Patronising or a lifesaver? Why menopause fashion is so divisive

Menopause, however, is increasingly big business: the rapidly growing market is worth around £14 billion globally. You can buy everything from menopause chocolate bars to menopause skincare. Last month Marks & Spencer marked World Menopause Day with a curated selection of menopause and peri-menopause “essentials” ranging from special bedding and sleepwear to collagen-boosting beauty buys.

“There’s undoubtedly a menopause gold rush at the moment, with everyone leaping on the hot flush bandwagon,” points out Smellie. And, she adds, a great many of them are overpriced and overpromise, “preying on vulnerable women who are desperate for solutions.”

But is there anything really wrong with signposting women towards clothes designed to keep them comfortable? And if we want something new to cheer ourselves up during this daunting stage of life, could Matalan’s £17 pyjamas be the answer?

The range is certainly not unattractive. Its white button-through shirt pyjama set looks more expensive than it is, with smart navy piping around the collar and cuffs giving a faintly nautical air; the bralettes, knicker sets and cami tops are practical in nude and black, and well priced, from £10 for a two pack of pants to £12 for a slip dress to layer under your clothes. There are also temperature-controlling sheets, a bamboo mattress protector and you can pop some magnesium spray in your basket while you’re at it. Nothing costs more than £60 (for a king-size temperature-controlling duvet set): a relatively small price to pay to feel a little less hot and bothered when your hormones are all over the place.

“I thought I’d be dismissive about the Matalan range,” admits Smellie, “but actually, if you’re suffering from night sweats, it’s recommended that you wear natural fabrics to help wick away moisture, and their pyjamas are 100 per cent cotton. As far as I can see, all the products are made from temperature-regulating material and they are a very reasonable price.”

“It’s good the range isn’t made from synthetic fabric [like many other cooling or heat trapping clothes],” agrees fashion stylist Alexandra Fullerton. But, she adds, “from a sustainability point of view, there’s enough clothing on the planet to dress the next six generations. Using the clothes in your wardrobe – wearing lots of lightweight layers that you can peel off if you need to – would be more useful than buying a whole new set of pyjamas just because they are marketed for the menopause.”