Choosing the perfect sheets can be hard! We’ve decided to create truly “good” sheets to make the choice easier.

A key factor is a fabric they’re made from. Cotton is the original and still the best choice for quality sheets.

But you may have come across terms like Percale or Sateen and you’re probably wondering what they mean and why should you even care?

Well, percale and sateen refer to the weave of the fabric and since that’s what can come between you and a good nights’ sleep,

we’ve put together this quick guide so you know exactly which will be right for you.

 

Fabric is woven using vertical warp threads and horizontal weft threads.

The way the threads intersect each other determines the end fabric and the resulting feel and appearance.

 

 

 

Percale

 

Percale is a fabric made with a plain, or basketweave which is one thread over, one thread under, a method in use for hundreds of years.

This weave gives the fabric its’ strength and durability, matte appearance and a crisp feel.

To be called percale, the fabric must have a thread count of 180 per square inch or higher.

Percale is probably what you slept on as a child, and almost certainly what you will find in most high-end hotels.

It’s a lightweight, strong weave, making for breathable, cool and crisp sheets – perfect all year round and particularly good for warmer weather and hot sleepers.

 

 

The Good

  • Strong yet soft and smooth

  • Breathable, suitable for year-round use, particularly good in summer

  • Cool, crisp feel

  • Durable lasts longer

  • Does not pill

  • Easy care

  • Gets softer with laundering and use

 

The Bad

  • Wrinkles initially, this lessens as fibres soften with use

  • Can initially feel stiff, until broken in

 

 

Sateen

 

A sateen weave has three or four threads over, one under which exposes more yarn to the surface

and gives the fabric its lustrous sheen and silky feel and drape.

It typically is woven more tightly resulting in a higher thread count, slightly heavier and warmer fabric.

It’s comfortable all year round, and especially in winter or if you are a cold sleeper as it tends to drape over the body and retain more body heat. 

 

 

The Good

  • Silky smooth feel

  • Often (but not always) has a lustrous sheen

  • Warm to touch, great for cooler climates

  • Wrinkles less

 

The Bad

  • Slightly less durable

  • More likely to pill and snag

  • Less breathable

  • Shine is often enhanced by using chemicals and fades with the use

 

 

In the end, the choice comes down to personal preference.

Both fabrics will produce comfortable, luxurious sheets, the difference will be whether you prefer cool, crisp sheets or silky smoothness against your skin at night.

You may even like to use both, changing them with the seasons to get the best sleep experience.

 

We obviously have our preference, choosing to first make sateen sheets for their durability and crisp, soft feel,

however, you should be able to get the most out of either percale or sateen as long as they’re made from high-quality cotton.

We made sure our cotton sheets are made from superior, long-staple cotton which has been hand-picked and combed to retain only the finest,

longest fibres, ensuring amazingly comfortable, breathable sheets and the best nights’ sleep ever.  

 

We have now also introduced our Sateen Sheets, beginning with all sorts of colours and available in sizes Super Single through to King.

 

Which one should you choose?