The first things you want to think about are what your sheets are made of and, if applicable, how they’re woven. The most popular sheets fall into a few major categories of material, with cotton being the most common. Within cotton, you’ll see percale and sateen sheets, terms that refer to the weave of the cotton, which determines the feel of the bedding. Then there’s linen (which is made of flax), bamboo and other alternative fibers, lyocell, jersey, and silk. The material you choose will dictate whether the bedding is cooling, durable, or easy to maintain. Below, a breakdown of the materials:
Cotton percale: Cotton percale is made of a tight one-over-one-under plain weave that’s crisp, lightweight, and matte in appearance (kind of like your favorite white button-up shirt). It’s highly breathable, too, making it a great choice for those who sleep hot, and it’s usually made from long-staple cotton, which has longer fibers and is thus more durable and higher quality than cotton made from shorter fibers (Egyptian and Pima cotton are made from long-staple cotton).
Cotton sateen: Sateen’s three-over-one weave is looser, resulting in a denser feel that drapes well and has a silky sheen. It’s heavier than percale and will sleep slightly warmer.
A note about thread count, which applies only to cotton sheets: Thread count refers to the number of horizontal and vertical threads in a square inch of fabric. The general thinking goes that the higher the thread count, the nicer the sheets, though that isn’t necessarily true. A good thread-count range to look for in percale and sateen sheets is between 200 and 600, but you should check the quality of the fibers. Long-staple Egyptian cotton is considered some of the best in the world.
Linen: Linen is made from the flax plant and has a rougher texture than cotton, giving that rumpled, lived-in look that can be quite appealing. It’s more durable than cotton, too, and gets softer with each use. The looser weave is breathable, which makes linen another great option for sweaty sleepers.
Jersey: Another popular cotton bedding type is jersey, which you may associate with college dorms because of its accessible price point and the way it feels like your favorite worn-in T-shirt (and is just as low-maintenance). Jersey fabric is knit instead of woven, often from cotton or cotton blended with synthetic fibers, giving it a soft, stretchy, cozy hand feel.
Alternative fibers: A whole crop of sheets is made from alternative fibers — some of which are naturally derived — including rayon, which is made from regenerated cellulose, a.k.a. wood pulp, from either bamboo or eucalyptus; Lyocell, which goes by the brand name Tencel; and microfiber. Lyocell and bamboo are known to be light, crisp, and breathable, making them yet another option for warmer sleepers. (Rayon also goes by viscose, and the two terms are used interchangeably depending on the manufacturer, as you’ll see below).
Silk: This is the most expensive bedding out there and the most finicky to maintain. Made from the cocoons of silkworms, silk is lustrous in feel and luxurious to behold, with a beautiful drape, good temperature regulation, and a smooth, no-snag, no-frizz surface.