Make me as soft a kitty as possible!
July 2, 2012 7:03 AM   Subscribe

Please surround me with softness! I want everything I use or touch to be as soft as possible, because this relaxes me like nothing else. Please recommend your softest of everything - bedding, clothing, pajamas, socks, underwear, shoes, lotion, pillows, hair products, music - truly anything soft makes me feel better. (Fuzzy is good too as long as it's a nice soft fuzz.)
posted by tatiana wishbone to Grab Bag (29 answers total) 40 users marked this as a favorite
 
I once saw a chinchilla bed spread. That is probably the softest thing ever. It was also $10,000 ... so probably not a very useful suggestion. (But for all I know you are wealthy and not adverse to things made out of the skins of small animals.)
posted by catatethebird at 7:11 AM on July 2, 2012


I really like how Seventh Generation fabric softener makes our clothes so soft. The eucalyptus and lavender fragrance is very light and gives the laundry a fresh smell. They make one free and clear if you don't like your laundry to smell.

Ikea bedsheets are great for price and for becoming soft with the first wash.

My mother-in-law got us a great throw at a bargain store, it's the softest thing evah! So haunt places like Ross, Marshalls, etc, and rub against something.

My kitty Malcolm has very soft furr. My kitty Eartha has a very soft purr.
posted by Ruthless Bunny at 7:16 AM on July 2, 2012 [1 favorite]


Kiehls Crème de Corps makes skin so, so soft.

Do you have a cat? A warm, purring, furry kitten is the most comforting thing I can think of.
posted by third word on a random page at 7:20 AM on July 2, 2012


Fur, duh! And if you're looking for ultimate softness, it has to be real--the fake doesn't even compare. Try earmuffs, fur-lined gloves, or a fur-collared coat.

I have one of these blankets from Macy's, and usually I don't like polyester but I touched this in the store and had to have it. In the winter I always have it under the top sheet so it's touching my skin, and I just roll around going "Mmmmm."

There's a new line of t-shirts at the Gap. They have it in a separate section, and there are some t-shirts and tank tops that are incredibly soft and slinky.

I also like the memory foam bath mats at Bed Bath & Beyond: your feet just sink into them.
posted by thebazilist at 7:23 AM on July 2, 2012


The Harold Budd / Brian Eno album "The Pearl" is what I'd consider quintessential "soft" music.
posted by davebush at 7:24 AM on July 2, 2012


The Vagisoft Blanket is apparently softer than anything short of the womb of a marshmallow mermaid...
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:33 AM on July 2, 2012


OOOH! Mountain Hardware's "Butter" fabric is the softest thing I've ever touched... despite the fact that shirts made of this fabric were pretty spendy even on sale, I STILL picked up a few so I could be enveloped in it at all times.
posted by julthumbscrew at 7:34 AM on July 2, 2012 [1 favorite]


Hotel by Biltmore has the best, softest towels and bathroom type products I've ever used. Hard to find unless you live in Southeast USA or order online though.
posted by Ms. Moonlight at 7:41 AM on July 2, 2012


I like my super soft bath mats. I got them at Bed Bath & Beyond - the tag is off them now so I can't tell you the name, but it's obvious, one of the brands is much softer and silkier than the others. It's a treat every time we get out of the shower. (Mine aren't the memory foam ones mentioned above, but those are nice too.)
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:43 AM on July 2, 2012


I once bought my wife some socks from Alpaca Direct. I don't know how they rate on the softness scale but I would imagine they're somewhere around "Pretty freakin' soft."

I always loved the feel of pussy willows, so maybe put some in a vase and enjoy the fuzz once in a while.
posted by bondcliff at 7:44 AM on July 2, 2012


Alpaca wool. Went to an alpaca farm recently where they were selling alpaca fur products; I was very surprised at how soft it was.
posted by Petrot at 7:44 AM on July 2, 2012


BAMBOO SOCKS

You know that New Sock Feeling. When you buy the socks, and the first wear is just... the BEST... and every time you wash them you know you're washing your socks a little further away from that gorgeous fresh-off-the-shelf softness...

BAMBOO SOCKS NEVER LOSE THAT SOFTNESS.

They are an expensive addiction, granted, but the side effects do not include hangover, liver damage, loss of friends or sanity, only deep happiness and contentment.
posted by greenish at 7:46 AM on July 2, 2012 [3 favorites]


If you prefer your soft animal free, try anything made of Minkee fabric.
posted by Requiax at 7:50 AM on July 2, 2012


I also recommend bamboo socks, mine have been great so far - although there is big difference in quality between brands. My favourites so far are from Boots (I'm in the UK). Also I wear certain pairs inside out, because for some reason they're much softer that way and I don't have to feel the seams.

I had a hamster once that was so soft and fluffy I used to say he felt like angels' wings. Seriously, he was SO SOFT.
posted by stillnocturnal at 9:00 AM on July 2, 2012


Hornytoad's fabric Cashmoor is really soft and fuzzy. I have pants by them that make me happy. They tend to be spendy, but if you buy them in the summer, they go on sale.
posted by sciencegeek at 9:12 AM on July 2, 2012


Pure Performance microfiber towels & washcloths from Bed, Bath & Beyond. Like drying off with the pelt of a teddy bear.
posted by Lexica at 9:38 AM on July 2, 2012


cashmere anything (check this recent thread on cashmere for specific recommendations).
also, the lining on some nau-brand hoodies and jackets (which might be the same as the horny toad stuff, since they're made by the same company) is ridiculously soft and warm.
posted by dizziest at 9:56 AM on July 2, 2012


If you can find the Berkshire Blanket in it's elusive quilt form (with "down alternative" filling), it's soft *and* squishy.
posted by radioamy at 11:00 AM on July 2, 2012


For cooler weather: Berkshire microloft fleece sheets are unbelievably soft and comfortable. They can be hard to find at this time of year, though.
posted by tangerine at 1:18 PM on July 2, 2012


I have some jersey sheets (I think they might be called t-shirt sheets or something) that are amazing. They're light enough for summer, too--year-round softness!
posted by snorkmaiden at 4:14 PM on July 2, 2012


I have (and love) this Land's End fleece pullover. The cashier told me to never use fabric softener or dryer sheets on fleece because it will cause pilling and make it less soft. So far, so good.
posted by desjardins at 5:38 PM on July 2, 2012


Good quality cotton bed sheets around 600-700 thread count (I have some 1000 TC ones but I think once they pass a certain thread count they just got thicker, not as soft). Or bamboo bed sheets.
posted by asynchronous at 6:57 PM on July 2, 2012


I like the "t-shirt" fabric sheets for softness. It's also called jersey-knit or cotton jersey. Just like a soft old shirt! Greater than a 500 thread count, I find that I really can't tell the difference in anything other than heaviness and to a certain extent durability. I'm pretty convinced that higher thread counts are a marketing/placebo thing. But your tastes may vary. You should always buy sheets in greater than a 250 thread count for a longer life.

Always put your towels in the dryer instead of hanging them on a line. And never use dryer sheets or fabric softener with towels-- over time, the towels absorb the residue and will lose softness. Microfiber has a similar issue, and also should never be washed on "hot." Dryer sheets are also bad for the dryer in that the residue clogs up the lint filter, which could contribute to a fire hazard.

Avoid silk knits-- they get this grainy texture over time that I enjoy, but which is not soft. In makeup and art brushes, sable, camel, badger, and to a certain extent white taklon/gold taklon/nylon are the softest. Chungking hog bristle tends to be pretty rough, especially if new.

In food, learn to make a baked custard. Although those have an element of "slippery" which might be other than your ideal, so try making a souffle, which is puffily soft because the base is an egg foam. Mousse is also a good choice, and can be extended further than chocolate. You can kind of mousse anything. I also think that potato pierogies (in the freezer aisle) are like these little pillow dumplings of potato fluff.

Consider fostering some kittens. They have soft little furry bellies and ears, and are really fun to help raise. :)
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:23 PM on July 2, 2012


You know what I forgot? Lush Cosmetics. They make whipped fluffy facemasks and lotions that are either made fresh that day, like a salad, or have a short shelf life. I liked "Sympathy for the Skin" as a lotion. They make soaps in jelly form-- very fun to use!
posted by blnkfrnk at 7:25 PM on July 2, 2012


Satin pyjamas from Victoria's Secret. Never do I sleep as well as in these babies, and they get softer after washing, and even BETTER.

Sheeps wool moccasins for home.

Cashmere socks.

Fur lined boots where the fur goes all the way down to the foot bit.

Uniqlo's Airism range of tanktops, tees and leggings - so slippery soft you could cry, fabulous as underlayers in winter, and brilliant as light wear in summer.

Fleece lined leggings. They became popular here in Australia a couple of winters ago, and now I won't wear any others in winter.

Pashmina scarves.

Silk kimono bathrobe for post shower.

Satin bedsheets.

Marshmallow ANYTHING.
posted by shazzam! at 3:06 AM on July 3, 2012


Lambskin! I have a jacket and skirt that are absolutely buttery soft.
posted by desjardins at 4:31 AM on July 3, 2012


Jersey sheets, yes. Those are exceptionally soft and can be quite inexpensive compared to other sheets.

Also, my skin is never softer than when I dry-brush daily. In addition to brushing, lately I've been using a body oil after I shower (This lovely Jasmine Neroli oil, but I'm sure any would do), and I feel like a silky smooth goddess.
posted by lotus-eater at 3:57 PM on July 3, 2012


If you have a kitty (recommended!), feeding him/her high-quality, low-filler cat food will make her/his fur even softer.

You may or may not want one as a pet, but at least once in your life you should pet a chinchilla. (I would be horrified if offered a chinchilla fur coat, because the animals are so sweet.)
posted by nicebookrack at 10:42 PM on July 3, 2012


These spa sheets used at many luxury hotels. They are made out of some voodoo microfiber but they are the softest things I've slept on. Comphy is the brand. I found mine here http://www.ruvalonline.com/
posted by bkf at 7:15 PM on July 7, 2012


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