Between the Sheets
Snuggle up and hit the snooze button again. High-thread count luxury linens, cozy cottons and the healing effects of copper are just a few of the reasons not to get out of bed
Image courtesy Signoria Firenze
It can be one of the most pleasant parts of a daily routine, those first few seconds in the evening when you slip into bed between clean, comfortable sheets. These days though, finding sheets that suit both your mood and your desire for comfort can be a bit challenging.
Why? More bedding options in 2008 means more decisions to make - ranging from big and bold satin prints to New England-style natural cotton to the more traditional embroidered sheets that please the eye when the bed is made.
"This year we're continuing to see a lot of browns, but this time combined with beiges and greens - and lots of vivid colors for the summer," says Sue Ticotin, owner of linen retailer Defining Elegance LLC in Stanhope, N.J.
By the Numbers
The new trends in colors and fabrics are fantastic, but at the end of the day, Cotton Incorporated's Lifestyle Monitor found that consumers want comfort more than anything else.
When asked about the most important attribute they look for when buying sheets for themselves, consumers listed thread count and texture at the top of their lists.
Thread count is the measure bed linen makers use to ascertain the quality of sheets. Simply defined, the thread count is determined by the number of threads that are woven horizontally and vertically into one square inch of fabric. The standard cotton sheet thread count comes in at around 150, while good-quality sheets start at 180. The higher the thread count is, the more luxurious the feel of a fabric.
You have to be careful, however, when buying top-quality sheets - according to the Federal Trade Commission, some unscrupulous manufacturers have grossly inflated the number of threads per inch in some of their products.
Since most sheets come pre-packaged, you can't actually feel the fabric before buying it, experts suggest looking closely at them and comparing them to those of similar thread counts from different manufacturers.
Generally, sheets with a high thread count will look smoother than those with lower counts. If you hold up two sheets that are labeled with the same thread count, you should be able to tell if one of them has fewer than advertised.
Sheets with higher thread counts are not only more comfortable, they are also more durable, according to Consumer Reports. Scientists found that cotton and cotton-blend sheets with thread counts of between 180 and 200 will stand up to normal wear and tear and provide you with satisfactory comfort. Industry specialists recommend that you buy sheets with at least a 400 thread count for greater comfort.
Of course the higher the thread count, the more expensive the sheets, they note.
Luxury sheet maker Sferra Brothers has introduced a new line of sheets made of super-fine yarn called Giza 45 that is considered by many to be among the finest Egyptian cotton in the world. These are not the sheets to take on a camping trip - a queen-sized flat sheet costs around $550. Sferra Brothers also makes the Amante collection, which features 1,020 threads per square inch. An Amante king-sized sheet set runs around $1,685.
For those on a budget, Nautica is rolling out three new sheet series this year, including a 450-count sheet line made from 100-percent pima cotton that is accented with a rope motif. The new series will come in white, navy, ivory, silver gray, palm green, leaf green, coriander, light blue, lavender, chocolate and china blue. A queen-sized set will retail at about $120.
While cotton is a very popular sheet fabric, many people enjoy the cozy warmth of flannel or the sensual smoothness of satin.
The fall 2008 lineup for the Ralph Lauren Home collection Lauren includes an offering of silk and satin mixed with tweed called Adriana. It will feature a classic floral print with a definite French accent mixing matte and shine in its fabrics. The sheets will have 450-thread-count cotton sateen at $90 for the queen size; the top-of-bed cotton sateen print is $300 for a queen-sized sheet.
Penny Murphy, owner of the upscale Pioneer Linens in West Palm Beach, Fla., says the demand for linen is rising of late.
"Now that people are into yoga and other natural practices, they're finding that linen is a good choice for rest," she says.
Fashion Forward
Experts say that consumers aren't following specific trends or designs when it comes to choosing their linens. Instead, they tend to follow the same style in their bed linens that they do when choosing clothes.
In part that explains the growth of lines made by popular apparel icons. For instance, Lacoste sells a new bed linen line called Sunham Home Fashions that caters to two groups: those in the market for elegance and luxurious fabrics with European detailing, and those wanting lively colors that they can mix and match. Club sheets are $69.99 and Casual are $49.99.
Ralph Lauren is offering a new collection this year known as American Summer that is characterized by a vibrant red, white and blue color scheme. It is aims to evoke "the charm of the quintessential New England general store in homespun fabrics and luxurious cotton," according to company literature.
Niche Bedding
There are a variety of bed linen makers that specialize in what could be called novelty sheets.
For example, bed linen manufacturer Springs developed a Wamsutta Sleepology wrinkle-free sheet that is treated to return coolness during rest. Cupron Inc. offers copper-infused bed sheets. Jamie Ben David, Cupron's e-commerce division director, says the Greensboro, N.C.-based manufacturer's pillow cases have been proven to reduce the appearance of wrinkles and improve the overall appearance of the skin.
"It's because your face is in contact with the copper all night," he says.
Besides all the cosmetic pluses, Cupron bed sheets use antimicrobial fabrics that fight odor-causing bacteria, Ben David adds.
Organic cotton is also becoming more and more popular. Nautica Naturals, new this year, is a 510-count, 100-percent organic cotton sheet that comes in spa tones.
Finishing Details
Finishes also make a difference. Mercerized cotton has a sheen, for example, while percale has a silk-like feeling. Sateen is more satiny while jersey is a knit, not a weave, and flannel is made from thick, cozy yarns.
Murphy says that, like a high-quality men's dress shirt, the beauty is in the details. Home Treasure's Paris Collection, for instance, features intricate embroidered bands, bordered with delicate hemstitching adorning 100 percent Egyptian cotton percale sheeting. Prizes start at $310 for a queen-sized fitted sheet and $210 for flat sheet.
"Sheets can be so full of detail and style," says Murphy. "Now more than ever we have a tremendous selection."
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