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You wouldn’t jump into bed with a stranger (well, probably not). Yet every night you shuck your clothes and climb into bed with a complete unknown.
We’re talking, of course, about your linens. Most consumers don’t know what to look for and what differentiates the ordinary from the opulent when it comes to this intensely intimate item.
The most critical point of discussion is thread count, a term so commonplace that some might forget just what it means – namely, the number of threads that you’ll find in a square inch of a sheet.
It’s hard to imagine that there was once a time that 100- and 200-thread-count sheets were the mark of refinement. Then consumers woke up to the reality of the comfort and luxury of European linens, where 400 thread counts are mundane and counts of 600 to 1,000 are the measure of a decadent night’s sleep. The reason is simple: the higher the thread count, the smoother the linens will be to the touch and the longer they will endure.
But even with their air of prestige, lofty thread counts can be a matter of taste. Some feel that tighter weaves don’t breathe as easily as lower counts – a key consideration when it comes to a good night’s sleep. Others disagree, and obviously they are not without influence, as higher-end beddings may range up to $1,000 a set. If price tags like that give you the spins, consider that finer linens are a long-term investment, all but life-long. And since you spend a third of your life curled up under the covers, it’s hardly a frivolous investment.
Another critical consideration is the quality of materials that go into making bed linens, and for many the top choice is Egyptian cotton, a fine and extremely long fibre grown in Egypt which produces a breathtakingly smooth hand feel. Cotton cousins Pima, an American-grown variety, and its luxe relative Supima (short for Superior Pima) originated as hybrids of Egyptian cotton and are its nearest competitors in the marketplace. Extra-long cottons offer a compelling combination of strength and softness, leading to a longer lifespan, a finer drape and superior colourfastness.
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The fine print is terribly important. And when it comes to the labels and language surrounding lines, consumers have their work cut out for them. Savvy shoppers might think that they’ve got it all sorted out, that by knowing to look for a certain thread count and provenance of cotton they’re on a clear path to refined rest.
The truth has a few wrinkles. A label may boast of being made of Egyptian cotton, but without a percentage to work with, you could be buying lesser-quality sheets with as little as 5 or 10% Egyptian cotton in the mix – and not even good-quality Egyptian cotton at that.
It has been estimated that as little as a quarter of Egyptian cotton exports are made up of the much-sought-after extra-long staple, or ELS, cotton, with the remainder essentially dross picked over and left on the factory floor. A tag laying claim to 100% Egyptian cotton only tells you about the country of origin; the products themselves may have been made anywhere on the planet.
Nor is thread count – seemingly the most tangible measure of quality – without problems. A claim to 1,000 thread count might just mean a pair of 500-thread-count sheets. Factor in the possibility of subpar cotton being used in those sheets and you’re forgiven for wanting to lie down for a rest.
If you want to be sure, look to the Europeans – still masters of textile making. Counts of 600 and up are typically available in a limited palette, mainly whites, off-whites and neutrals. (The linens last so long that trendy patterns would be folly.)
One more thing: high-end linens, while lusciously soft and smooth, are prone to wrinkling. Look on your ironing sessions as meditative escapes and you’ll be amply rewarded with the sense of a job well done – and an indulgent bedtime.