Buyers Guide - Bed Sheets

Buying sheets for your bed can be confusing, but it doesn’t have to be. There are three essential elements that determine the quality, durability and feel of the sheet - fibre, thread count and weave. Understanding these terms will allow you to make an informed choice about the right sheet for you. 

Fibre

  • Fibre is a crucial element in determining a good quality sheet.
  • Blended fibres like polyester and cotton are a popular choice as this hardy combination is easy to maintain and designed to resist wrinkling.
  • The softest, most breathable sheets, are those made from natural fibres - cotton, silk, linen or any combination thereof.
  • Cotton sheets, like those made from American Pima cotton and genuine Egyptian cotton are softer and stronger than sheets made from other fibres due to the extra long staple (or fibre) of the cotton. 

    Thread Count

    • There’s a lot of hype about the term ‘thread count’, which, put simply, is the number of vertical and horizontal threads in 10 cm2 of fabric. 
    • It is generally considered that the higher the thread count, the better the sheet but this is not always the case, as the quality of the fibre used is also important. 
    • A sheet with a high thread count but a poor quality fibre will be less comfortable and durable than a sheet with a lower thread count, woven with a luxurious natural fibre.

      250 Thread Count

      • 50% combed cotton for longer staple and natural breathability 
      • 50% polyester for wrinkle resistance 
      • durable percale weave 
      • cuffing and piping on flat sheets and pillowcases 
      • fully elasticised fitted sheets 
      • deep 40/50 cm walls on fitted sheets 

        400 Thread Count 

        • 100% combed cotton for longer staple and natural breathability 
        • luxury sateen weave 
        • mercerised 
        • cuffing and piping on flat sheets and pillowcases 
        • fully elasticised fitted sheets 
        • deep 40/50/60 cm walls on fitted sheets 
        • extra generous flat sheet sizes

          Weave

          • The weave of a sheet determines how it feels against your skin. This is largely a matter of personal choice.  
          • The crispest sheets are made from percale, a plain weave of 225 thread count and up, with equal numbers of vertical and horizontal threads. 
          • Sateen sheets have a much silkier feel, which is achieved by running the vertical threads over four horizontal threads. Light reflecting off the surface of the exposed threads creates a more lustrous fabric.