This blog discusses the unique characteristics of percale sheets and explains how to evaluate factors like fiber, thread count, and craftsmanship when shopping for luxury percale bedding. It also showcases six exceptional percale collections from the curated selection available at Fine Linen and Bath.
Key Takeaways
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What Makes Percale Bed Sheets the Luxury Choice for Discerning Sleepers
There's so much to love about a great set of percale sheets. The cool, fresh feel. The airy breathability. The absolute indulgence reminiscent of a five-star hotel. At Fine Linen and Bath, luxury percale bedding holds a special place in our hearts and -- of course -- on our beds.
When shopping for a percale sheet set, you'll notice the crisp feel that calls to mind the finest hotel bedding or perhaps your favorite dress shirt. A percale weave cotton sheet is light, super soft, and breathable. Although it has a tight weave, percale actually delivers a cooler sleeping experience that gets better with time. The finest percale sheet sets are woven from long-staple cotton and Egyptian cotton, creating that signature crisp texture that discerning sleepers adore.
not sure where to start?
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not sure where to start?
Take Our Perfect Sheets Quiz!
Percale vs. Sateen: Choosing the Perfect Cotton Weave for Your Bed Sheets
Before we enter a deeper discussion of percale, let’s take a moment to explain exactly what percale is and -- importantly -- how it differs from sateen, which is another popular cotton weave for luxury sheets.
Finding Your Perfect Cotton Weave
When clients approach us for suggestions on styling their luxury bed, the first question we ask is, “How do you want your sheets to feel? Do you want a cool, crisp, hotel-sheet feel or a warmer fabric that drapes?” The answer to that question determines whether you prefer percale sheets or sateen sheets.
Percale Sheets: Matte Finish and Crisp Texture
Percale is a matte finish cotton fabric made with a one-yarn-over, one-yarn-under weave pattern. This gives the fabric its signature "crispness" similar to the feel of a high-quality cotton button-down shirt. Percale sheets are cool, crisp, and light, with a fresh feel that's ideal for summertime sleeping. The fabric is highly breathable, making it perfect for hot sleepers year-round and for styling the quintessential summer bed. A high-quality percale sheet set is remarkably durable; the cotton fabric will grow softer over time with washing while maintaining its essential character.
Sateen Sheets: Lustrous Sheen and Silky Drape
Sateen is quite different from percale, with a distinctive look and feel. A cotton sateen sheet feels silky and soft to the touch, offering a warmer sleep experience ideally suited to cooler weather. With its lustrous sheen, a sateen sheet set or duvet suits bedroom décor that emphasizes luxury and romance in a different fashion than percale's crisp hotel-like appeal.
There is no right or wrong choice; percale vs. sateen is truly a matter of preference.
Erika Smith, Fine Linen and Bath Brand Manager, weighs in on why percale is such a popular choice, saying,
"Our clients fall in love with percale time and again because it is the perfect balance of sophistication and comfort, crisp, cool, and smooth to the touch with just the right amount of structure. The way cotton percale evolves and softens with each wash while maintaining a distinctive crisp feel is what makes it a true heirloom-quality linen."
Understanding Thread Count: What Really Determines Quality in Percale Bed Sheets
When shopping for cotton sheets (percale or sateen) one of the first things you’ll see referenced is thread count. In simple terms, thread count is defined as the number of threads per square inch of fabric. It's calculated by adding the number of horizontal threads (the weft) to the number of vertical threads (the warp). If a fabric has 100 horizontal threads and 100 vertical threads, the total thread count is 200.
The Myth of High Thread Count in Luxury Bed Sheets
A widely held belief is that high-thread-count sheets are softer, more durable, and generally of better quality. This is only partially true, as thread count alone isn't a reliable measure of quality for cotton percale sheets.
Consider this simple example: imagine two different fabrics, both with the same 200 thread count. One is made with coarse, low-quality fibers, while the other uses soft, high-quality cotton. Which would you prefer to sleep on? Obviously, the cotton sheet. Even if you increased the thread count of the coarse fabric to 600, it still wouldn't feel as luxurious as the 200 thread count sheet made from premium cotton. This demonstrates why the quality of the fiber is actually more important than simply having a high thread count.
Cotton Quality: Long-Staple and Egyptian Cotton in Premium Percale
Indeed, the quality of any sheet is based on far more than thread count, including factors such as the fiber quality, the construction of the fabric, and the workmanship by the manufacturer. When selecting your perfect percale sheet set, consider the quality of the cotton first and foremost. Long-staple or extra-long staple cotton will provide the softest, most luxurious feel and greatest durability (Egyptian cotton, Giza cotton, and Supima cotton are also superior quality). Look for the detailed construction and finishing that indicate true craftsmanship. Lastly, consider the brand and purchase only from a well-known brand with a reputation for quality.
Premium Percale Collections: Our Top Luxury Bed Sheet Recommendations
The Fine Linen and Bath percale collection includes everything from sheet sets to pillowcases, duvet covers, and decorative pillows. Many clients pair their percale sheets with a high-quality duvet insert for the ultimate luxury sleeping experience. Below is a preview of some of our best-selling luxury percale styles.
Matouk Luca Satin Stitch Bedding
Matouk Luca Satin Stitch Bedding is crafted from 500 thread count Egyptian cotton percale finished with an elegant satin stitch. Matouk Luca Satin Stitch comes finished with a clean, elegant satin stitch. An updated palette of solid shades makes Matouk Luca Satin Stitch the pinnacle of elegance and an easy partner for pairing with other Matouk sheets and bedding.
Matouk Luca Satin Stitch sizes include sheets Twin, Full, Queen, King, and Cal King and Standard and King pillowcases. Duvet cover, four sizes of shams, and fabric by the yard are available. Ivory, White, and Bone. Made in the USA with Egyptian cotton percale fabric woven in Italy; all Matouk fabrics are OEKO-TEX® Standard certified for safety. Monogramming available upon request.
Peacock Alley Lyric Bedding
Crisp out of the package, Peacock Alley Lyric Percale gets better with every wash. Reminiscent of the finest hotel linen, Lyric is made in Italy from 500 thread count, 100% extra-long-staple cotton known for enduring comfort and showing wear. Lyric features a beautiful double row hemstitch on the flat sheet and pillow cases. Coordinates with Peacock Alley's Lucia sheeting collection, as well as the Peacock Alley All Seasons Blanket.
Lyric sheets are available in Twin, Full Queen, King, and Cal King and Standard and King pillowcases. Duvet covers and four sizes of shams are also available. Platinum, Ivory, and White. Made in Italy.
Scandia Home Alesandra
Indulge in everyday luxury with Scandia Home Alesandra. This collection of fine linens is made from 500 thread 100% Supima cotton percale, fabric woven at one of the last family-owned fabric mills in Northern Italy. The elegant single hemstitch finish adds a beautiful detail to this exceptionally smooth, crisp, and comfortable bedding.
Scandia Home Alesandra sheets available in Twin, Full Queen, King, and Cal King and Standard and King pillowcases. The Alesandra collection includes duvet covers and four pillow sham sizes. Ivory and White. Certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX® certified for safe, sustainable materials. Made in Italy from cotton grown in USA.
SFERRA Finna
SFERRA Finna is minimalism at its finest. This 525 thread count percale is made in Italy from 100% extra-long-staple cotton. Finna is adorned with a unique double hemstitch and specially woven by textile artisans for a sleek, supple feel. SFERRA Finna is one of SFERRA’s finest percales.
Finna sheets are available in Twin, Full Queen, King, and Cal King and Standard and King pillowcases. The Finna collection includes duvet covers and four sizes of shams. Flint, White, Ivory and Sky. Made in Italy.
Signoria Tuscan Dreams
Inspired by the rolling hills and sun-drenched vineyards of Tuscany, Signoria Tuscan Dreams is a 400 thread count 100 percent Supima cotton percale. The delicate hemstitch adds a subtle sophistication to the Italian craftsmanship. Tuscan Dreams is made in Signoria’s family-owned factory in Italy of Supima cotton.
Tuscan Dreams is available in Twin, Queen, King and Cal King with Standard and King pillowcases. The bed sheet collection includes duvet covers and four sizes of sham. Pearl, White, and Ivory. Made in Italy.
Yves Delorme Athena
Named for the goddess of wisdom, war, and weaving, Yves Delorme Athena is a timeless classic in 500 thread count Supima combed cotton. The pure graphic expression of a colored bourdon stitch extends vertically and horizontally for a modern, edge-of-the horizon design.
Athena is available in Twin, Queen, King and Cal King with Standard and King pillowcases. The collection includes duvet covers and four sizes of sham. White with bourdon stitch frames in 10 colors: Platine, Verone, Pierre, Silver, Blanc, Sienna, Nacre, Bronze, Poudre, and Fjord. Certified STANDARD 100 by OEKO-TEX®. Made in France.
Create Your Luxury Percale Bed Today with Fine Linen and Bath
We hope this preview of Fine Linen and Bath’s percale luxury sheet sets has sparked your imagination and delivered the inspiration you need. If you would like assistance, our design team is here to offer personalized recommendations and suggestions. You can also take our interactive quiz to help identify your perfect sheets. Our team will help you find the very best sheets for your style, needs, and budget…because when it comes to the sheets that cradle you nightly, only the best will do.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy a set of percale sheets or can I purchase them individually?
That depends on the manufacturer and style. Sometimes luxury bed sheets are sold as a bed sheet set, other times as individual pieces. People who forgo their top sheet should consider a style where you can purchase a percale fitted sheet and percale duvet cover separately.
Do percale sheets grow softer over time?
Yes, they do. The softness of high-quality percale absolutely increases with every wash.
What are the best cotton sheets? Percale or sateen?
This is a matter of personal preference. Percale sheets are cooler, crisper, and lighter, with a hotel-style feel. They are great for warm temperatures and for hot sleepers. A sateen bed sheet set will be warmer, silkier in feel, and more drapey than percale.
Are there any disadvantages to percale sheets?
No disadvantages, but there is a minor inconvenience, depending on your tolerance for wrinkles. Percale sheets do tend to wrinkle a bit more than sateen. You can choose to iron them, or smooth them out on your bed. The wrinkles will release over a day or two. You can also just iron your pillowcase (the only piece that shows) for a finished look.
