Where Luxury Meets Legacy: Sea Island Cotton Bedding and Towels

This article spotlights Sea Island cotton, a rare and valuable strain of cotton grown in the Caribbean and showcases the Sea Island cotton sheets and towels offered by Fine Linen and Bath.

At Fine Linen and Bath, one of our core values is delivering our clients the very finest home textiles in the marketplace; this is why we happily showcase the provenance of all the items we sell. Shopping with us means that you are browsing the finest home linen fabrics available. Even among our highly curated collection of home textiles, few materials rival the quality and prestige of Sea Island cotton. Fine Linen and Bath proudly carries two Sea Island cotton collections, one for the bed and another for the bath. Read on to learn more about this very special fabric and to explore these unique product lines.

The World's Rarest Cotton: A Luxury Bedding Essential

Sea Island cotton is a very rare commodity. Grown only in the British West Indies in the Caribbean, Sea Island cotton is cultivated and harvested by hand with a limited annual production of just 150 bales, every kilo of which is authenticated by the West Indian Sea Island Cotton Association (WISICA). 

To put that in context, a bale of cotton weighs about 500 pounds and can produce enough fabric to make around 200 sheets or 650 towels. Indeed, Sea Island cotton represents an infinitesimal percentage of the world’s annual cotton production. 

What Makes Sea Island Cotton Superior to Other Luxury Cottons 

Along with its rarity, Sea Island cotton is distinguished by its extraordinary staple – or fiber – length. Extra-long staples (ELS) of Sea Island cotton typically measure more than 37mm and can reach 50 mm, which is up to 20 percent longer than renowned Giza Egyptian Cotton. This exceptional length contributes to the cotton's strength, softness, and luminosity, creating textiles that are luxurious and highly durable. This is how Sea Island cotton has earned a reputation as the finest cotton.

Understanding the “Sea Island” Name

The moniker “Sea Island cotton" might evoke images of American coastal regions of South Carolina and Georgia, where it was indeed cultivated in the 18th century. Today, however, the authentic Sea Island cotton is grown in sunshine and unique climate of the islands of the West Indies and authenticated by WISICA.

Sea Island Distinctive History and Legacy

The pedigree of Sea Island cotton places anyone who loves it in lofty company, including Queen Victoria, who favored Sea Island cotton handkerchiefs; and Sir Ian Fleming, who dressed his legendary character James Bond in Sea Island cotton bespoke Saville Row shirts. For centuries, Sea Island cotton has been the choice of those who demand only the finest, a tradition of excellence that continues to this day.

Luxury Sea Island Cotton Collections at Fine Linen and Bath

We're delighted to offer two exceptional collections featuring this prestigious cotton, one each for bed and bath.

Scandia Home Lucea Sea Island Cotton Bedding Collection

Lucea Sea Island Cotton Bedding from Scandia Home showcases Sea Island cotton at its finest. After hand harvest in the West Indies, the fine cotton is sent to Switzerland where it is spun into exquisite yarn featuring a double-twisted warp and weft. After that, the yarns are sent to Italy where they are woven into a 600 thread-count sateen fabric at one the country’s oldest and most revered mills. Lucea is finished with an elegant double-row hemstitch and tailored flanges for a classic look.

This luxurious bedding comes in Queen, King, and Cal King. The collection includes a flat sheet, a fitted sheet, pillowcases in King and Standard, four sizes of shams, and duvet covers. The fabric is STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified. Available in Fawn and White.

“Lucea is one of the softest sheets we carry,” said Helena Hendricks, Fine Linen and Bath Associate Brand Manager. “It is among my personal favorite sheet styles for the look and feel of the cotton.”

Graccioza Grand Egoist Sea Island Bath Collection

The Graccioza Grand Egoist Sea Island bath collection elevates the daily ritual of bathing to an art form. Grand Egoist Sea Island bath towels, crafted from 100% Sea Island cotton, offer an unparalleled combination of luxury and functionality with a premium 800 GSM weight for exceptional absorbency. The towels are double-stitched and pre-washed and pre-shrunk. The collection includes a washcloth; guest towel; two sizes of hand towel; a bath towel; and two sizes of bath sheets. These towels are made in a limited quantity and are available in four stylish neutrals: White, Snow, Cloud, and Fog.

Graccioza also makes coordinating Grand Egoist bath rugs of Sea Island cotton. These rugs come in three sizes and feature a plush border. They are finished with a non slip backing for safety and are specially treated to be antibacterial and resistant to mold. They seamlessly coordinate with Grand Egoist towels in White, Snow, Cloud, and Fog colors.

“Grand Egoist is a supremely plush towel that is unparalleled when it comes to texture, absorbency, durability, and beauty,” said Helena Hendricks. “These are the finest and most luxurious towels we offer at Fine Linen and Bath.”

We welcome you to experience the incomparable quality of Sea Island cotton for yourself. Our design team would be honored to help you select the perfect pieces to transform your bedroom and bath into sanctuaries of luxury.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between a bath rug and a bath mat?

Bath mats sit directly outside the shower or bathtub to catch water from wet feet and prevent slips. They are highly absorbent and most often made of cotton terry, similar to a thick towel. A bath mat can often be found as part of a cotton bath towel. Bath rugs are heavier in weight and made with a non slip backing; they can go anywhere in the bathroom.

What is the difference between a bath towel and a bath sheet?

A bath sheet is oversized and made to feel much like a spa bath towel. Bath sheet size varies, but is always much larger than a standard bath towel; in some cases, a bath sheet approximates the size of a beach towel. Bath Towels are standard sized and are the perfect towel for everyday use.

Can I machine wash my cotton bath towel?

You can wash your cotton bath towel in your machine. Follow manufacturer’s washing guidelines. We recommend using a gentle laundry detergent made for cleaning luxury linen like Heritage Park All-Purpose Laundry Detergent. Never use fabric softener, which causes build up on fabric and machines, or bleach, which will cause a white towel to turn yellow and a colored towel to fade. Tumble dry on low. 

I am shopping for bathroom towels. Do I need organic cotton?

Organic cotton which is certified GOTS is one option. You can also look for other independent certifications like STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® which means the fabric is safe from harmful chemicals.

What is the difference between percale cotton sheets and sateen cotton sheets?

When shopping for a sheet set, deciding between percale sheets and sateen sheets is your first task. Percale weave sheets are cool and crisp with a five-star hotel feel. High quality percale is light and breathable; it is good for warm weather or for a hot sleeper. Sateen weave is thicker and is silky and soft to the touch. A sateen sheet set is lustrous and drapes beautifully and gives a romantic feel to your home décor. Sateen is a good choice for cooler temperatures or if you sleep cool. Choosing a percale sheet or sateen bed sheet set is a matter of preference. You will find top quality, luxury sheets in both weaves.

What are the best cooling sheets?

Organic cotton sheets in a percale weave or silk sheets are both good options for cooling sheets.

What are other luxury sheet materials besides cotton?

Luxury sheets come in many different materials. You can find high-quality modal and bamboo sheets (made from tree fiber), silk sheets, and even luxurious flannel sheets. When shopping for cotton sheets, look for long staple cotton or extra long staple cotton to ensure superior softness. The best linen sheets are also soft and indulgent.

Are microfiber sheets good?

Microfiber sheets are man-made, woven from synthetic polyester or nylon. We prefer cotton sheets, organic cotton sheets, silk sheets, or other plant-based fabrics like bamboo or modal.

Can I bleach white sheets?

We do not recommend using chlorine bleach on white sheets or other bed linen such as a duvet cover. Along with causing colors to fade, bleach can cause white cotton sheets to yellow. If you need to bleach white sheets, choose an oxygen bleach that is safe for colors.