Please help me select quality bed linens

July 11, 2016 5:03 PM

My wonderful partner has requested “something for the home” for his upcoming birthday, and since we haven’t had new sheets in ages, I’m going to be getting new pillows and sheets for our queen-size bed. Trouble is, I don’t know how to get what we most like. Details within.

Back in the day, I used to put myself in the hands of Bloomingdale’s Home sales associates and was always happy with the result. But now I live in the sticks and need to be able to order on line, because there is nothing around here but a Wal-Mart super store, and that won’t do.

I am completely naïve about thread counts, types of cotton, weave, you name it. But here’s what we both like:
- 100% cotton
- Must be white, with minimal decoration
- Substantial, but not heavy, and takes an iron well
- Smooth to the touch, but not silky or clingy
- A slight, crisp rustle even when not ironed

(As to the pillows, I’m going for three each: big European Square, large firm and slightly smaller, less firm. All goose down or a feather mix. I think I can do this without help, but recommendations welcome.)

Given that this is a birthday present, I’m less concerned about price than about getting what I know my guy likes. At the same time, I’m not interested in what billionaires sleep on. I just want good quality for the price.

Bonus points if you can identify sheets that meet my requirements on Bloomingdale’s Home page for sheets, because I’ve always been super-happy with their products.

Thank you!

posted by Short Attention Sp to Home & Garden (13 answers total)

Sweethome published their guide to sheets not long ago. Even if their choice doesn't match what you want, the article should be helpful in showing you what to look for.
posted by une_heure_pleine at 5:10 PM on July 11, 2016 [3 favorites]

You want LL Bean pima cotton percale sheets. Yes, you do. I have them in white and they are wonderful. Easy to clean, always come out of the dryer smooth and soft but also crisp in a satisfying way, and the white has stayed bright despite my husband and I being very sweaty people that stain white sheets.
posted by joan_holloway at 5:12 PM on July 11, 2016 [5 favorites]

I really like Rough Linen for fancy sheets. They are spendy but very nice. (My only complaint is that they are so substantial that sheets & duvet cover are a real chore to launder).
posted by maryrussell at 5:36 PM on July 11, 2016 [3 favorites]

I have heard good things about the Hampton Inn bed linens . . . . which according to the website are 30% off until Wednesday.
posted by ainsley at 6:48 PM on July 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

I think percale would suit you, and there's a "Narrow by... Construction" feature at your Bloomingdale's link that lets you sift for it.
posted by Iris Gambol at 7:26 PM on July 11, 2016 [1 favorite]

If you're looking at price, the Kirkland sheets at Costco are awesome. Get the white on white stripe: the solids are less comfy. If you're up for a huge change, consider bamboo.
posted by Valancy Rachel at 7:40 PM on July 11, 2016

I really, really like Lands End's oxford sheets, which hit almost all your points. I find them to be substantial but not heavy, but the Sweethome thought they were heavy. We also have Lands End percale sheets, which have had good longevity for us even though we wash and dry them on hot (thanks to a bedbug incident a few years ago). They wrinkle pretty badly, but they still have a soft, crisp rustle after several years.

It does sound like you want percale and not sateen though. Sateen is very clingy.
posted by fedward at 7:42 PM on July 11, 2016

And don't buy those sheets that are made "with the same fabric as t-shirts."

Yes, they are made from that fabric.

No, it doesn't make for nice sheets.
posted by yesster at 7:44 PM on July 11, 2016 [6 favorites]

I love my LLBean Pima Percale sheets. White and simple, smooth and comfortable. The label says 280 thread count and they have a lovely feel to them without being silky or slippery. They last and last. If you dry them on low heat, you won't get a lot of wrinkles; high heat scrunches cotton sheets terribly.
posted by wryly at 8:19 PM on July 11, 2016

Yes you definitely want percale. I've been happy with the Target house brand percale sheets. You can get two sets for the price of most other percale sets.
posted by supercres at 8:26 PM on July 11, 2016

If you want the most luxe, organic, chi-chi bedding and you did say you had planned stepping up costwise, you might want to look into Coyuchi.
posted by Lynsey at 10:23 AM on July 12, 2016 [1 favorite]

Response by poster: Thank you, everyone. Your answers helped me figure this out.

In the end I went with Bloomingdale's 475 TC Egyptian cotton sheet set, because a.) they were HALF OFF, with the sale ending today, b.) the reviews are good and c.) I've always been impressed by the quality of Bloomingdale's Home in-house quality.
posted by Short Attention Sp at 3:09 PM on July 12, 2016

My only reservation is that the set you've chosen has a 'wrinkle-free' finish, which often lends a silky-smooth effect to the material (rather than a crisp feel).
posted by Iris Gambol at 5:08 PM on July 12, 2016