STYLETHREAD -- LET'S TALK SHOP!

Jamsicle · BCBG

High Thread Count Sheets

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

The higher thread count ones can get a little thick and stiff. I remember feeling high thread count sheets (maybe around 600) that felt scratchy. There's probably more to the equation than thread count.

I look for sheets that say "sateen" on them. Those are usually the softest. It depends on what you want, I guess. Soft and drapey or crisp and substantial?

Jamsicle · BCBG

Pollyjean,
Thanks for answering! There's this one seller on ebay that has listed percale Egyptian sheets and says that these are much better than sateen ie. higher quality, and that most people who are educated about the difference prefer them- but I've had a couple of instances where I've seen ebay sellers invent all sorts of stories to sell product, so I'm not really going to take this at face value.

The only people that I know that go for higher tc have stopped at about four hundred, and so that's why I'm asking this question. Would love all answers! :)

lynnie · Chanel

You should go to bed bath and beyond and feel the sheet samples they have out, with all the thread counts. I've found some 300 tc softer than higher ones. I don't know if its the way its washed, the quality, the material, etc.

needsfashionadvice · Kate Spade

I have some 600 tc ones that are so soft! I got them at Burlington Coat Factory for about $100. I also have some 450 tc ones I got at target for about $60 that I really love. I've never felt anything over the 600 that I have so I'm not sure how stiff they'd get any higher than 600.

Cortney1982 · Chanel

Just because something has a high thread count does not mean it's softer. What matters is the quality of cotton used. What you want is extra long staple cotton which is more silky.

I recently got a duvet set of 300tc and it's way softer than most of the 600tc sheets sets I see in stores. A decent set should cost at least $100 regular price. Check out smartbargains.com they have some good deals, and you can read reviews first.

Jamsicle · BCBG

This is so interesting, gals. Thanks, Cortney, I'm going to check out smartbargains right now. I'm going to jump back in here again and say that I am confused about Egyptian cotton, too. I've noticed that htc sheets made with this type of cotton are more expensive. How is it better- does anyone know?

-- Edited by Jamsicle at 22:04, 2007-12-29

Kelly · Hermes

I felt a lot of sheets the other day at the store trying to find my "perfect number." I really liked the 600tc sheets, but the higher ones (like 1000) just felt like sheets of plastic to me (like those plastic tablecloths) HTH!

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

I agree about Bed Bath & Beyond. We got ours there. I think they're Wamsutta (sp) and 400 tc.

wetbandit42 · Marc Jacobs

I just got some sheets for Christmas, they were either 400 or 600 thread count, sateen and they are nice and soft. TJMaxx has high ts sheets a lot.

I don't know what makes Egyptian cotton so special, but I have some towels made out of Egyptian cotton and they are so soooooofft.

sephorablue · Marc Jacobs

Random factoid I learned in a textile class a couple years ago: if you see any sheets marked as having a higher count than about 500, the manufacturer is bullshitting you, because it's physically impossible to get that many threads into a square inch. What our prof told us those manufacturers are doing is actually cheating by counting the individual plys within each yarn as a thread. I googled it and found some more explanation here:

http://www.yvesdelorme.com/page/article_beyond_thread_count/

So really, 300-400 count is perfect!

Mitz · BCBG

Sephorablue, that is really interesting...good thing to keep in mind!

My bedding is from the Charter Club luxury collection from Macy's, and the sheets are 300 thread count cotton sateen. The sheets are heavenly soft!!!

bloomie · Marc Jacobs

I have heard that you can't tell the difference beyond 400 thread count. I am not sure about that, but that is what a lady I work with told me. I have two sets of 400 thread count and they are just dreamy. I know for sure that one of the sets is Egyptian cotton and they are just a little softer than the other set The other set feels really good too, but I don't think they are Egyptian cotton. I got the Egyptian cotton set at Goody's on sale for $40 ish. I just could not believe they were selling them for that cheap of a price.

-- Edited by bloomie at 21:41, 2008-01-05

AllieGurl · Marc Jacobs

I have some wonderful 400 thread count from target that were on sale. Check there!!

MissMee · Kate Spade

I have some 1000 thread count sheets that look silkier than regular cotton, but they don't feel any better than my 300 or 450 thread count sheets. In fact, I find that my face itches when I sleep on the pillowcases.

Jamsicle · BCBG

Sephora Blue, this is great to know. You've completely changed how I am shopping for sheets! Miss Mee, thanks for sharing your experience- I'm totally not going to go for super super htc now. Everyone else, you're fabulous! Thanks! :)