A couple of years ago, I was lucky enough to stay at a dreamy hotel in Tuscany, where the most swoon-worthy part of the stay wasn't necessarily the plates of pasta or the glasses of Brunello di Montalcino — it was the sheets. These beds were dressed with linen bedding that was unlike anything I'd ever felt. "Wow, I have to get a set of these for myself!" I thought, fully understanding that these were going to be "adult-priced" sheets. Then, the hotel told me that the sheets were made by an Italian mill and cost upwards of $5,000 per set. Oh.
I spent the months that followed desperately seeking linen sheets that took me back to that bed in Tuscany without the lofty price tag. I tried some of the most popular sets of linen sheets on the market — testing each for several nights, putting them through a wash and dry at home, and judging my husband and dogs' approval. Spoiler alert! You'll be pleased to know that most of them were pretty darn great, but a few sets really stood out.
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The Best Linen Sheets That Are Worth the Investment
Straight from the box, The Citizenry's sheets were the best — the packaging was classy and thoughtful and I appreciated the storage pouch. Once I actually examined the sheets, I found them to be extremely soft with beautiful details, right down to the pillowcase stitching, that wasn't replicated on other sets I tried. Sleeping on these was heavenly — they were cool and almost gauze-like — and they looked nice too, a sort of purposefully rumpled appearance that linen lovers aim for. Perhaps of note: The duvet cover had a small tear near its button closure and one of the inner ties unraveled in the washing machine. Time will tell how they hold up, but for an ethereal sleep experience, this was a good place to start.
2. Brooklinen
Brooklinen is the name that most people know in bedding, and it's not surprising: The company's (clever) marketing is everywhere. I jumped on the Brooklinen train years ago, purchasing sets of its classic percale sheets for my apartment. However, I wasn't as smitten with those sets as many of my friends. They tore easily compared to less expensive sets, which was a real bummer. (To Brooklinen's credit, anything that ended up damaged was always happily and promptly replaced.) Armed with that knowledge, I was curious how Brooklinen's actual linens would fare. Right away, the dog approved — we couldn't keep her off them. This set was extremely soft and a bit thicker than competitors, although the slightly unfinished edges had me convinced for a day that I had the pillowcases turned inside out. I'm a hot sleeper and this was the only set I was quite warm under. But that's not a bad thing as I now consider these my "winter" linen sheets, perfect for cozying up on a chilly day.
Our pick: Brooklinen Linen Core Sheet Set (Queen), $299
3. Parachute
If you're a top-sheet hater, Parachute's set is for you. Foregoing the top sheet makes this set the most affordable of the bunch, and these are certainly quite good linen sheets. They are soft and on the thicker side, but were among the roughest of the bunch right out of the box. However, they were extremely breathable and I never found myself hot. One nitpick of note: Parachute's pillow shams have envelope closures, meaning you can't flip them over without exposing the closure, and the fitted sheet seems made for much deeper mattresses than my Casper one.
Our pick: Parachute Linen Sheet Set (Queen), $189-$229
4. Pottery Barn
I felt like it was only fair to throw one big retailer in the mix. Pottery Barn's set, made from Belgian flax like the others, was among the most expensive of the sets I tried and had one noteworthy characteristic: This set was "constructed" in China, whereas all but one of its competitors were European-made. Unlike many of the other sets, which were stonewashed, Pottery Barn employs enzyme-washing for its linen, a cheaper and faster way to get the same effect. While these sheets were fine, say, if you were gifted them, others were more impressive for the price point.
5. Snowe
Snowe, one of the most expensive sets I tested, blew me away. The only set actually made in Italy — coincidence? — was light, airy, and buttery-soft, something the company attributes to their proprietary air-washing technology. Buying these is certainly an investment, but they truly were like sleeping on clouds. If you're looking for eclectic colors, you won't find that here, though. Snowe's linens come in neutral white, ash gray, and slate blue, so you'll have to find your pop of color elsewhere.
Our pick: Snowe Linen Sheet Set (Queen), $345
6. Cultiver
Under-the-radar Australian brand Cultiver prides itself on providing its customers with everyday luxuries, and its linen sheets fit the bill. The most expensive sheets that I tested were solidly made with high-end details like contrasting mother-of-pearl buttons. But like Pottery Barn, this set was made in China, albeit from European flax. Still, Cultiver's offering and ethos are impressive and, if you're looking for colorful linen sheets, these are your best best. Cultiver offers its linen sheets in 18 different colorways.
Originally launched in 2012 with a small set of duvet covers, Crane & Canopy has grown into a housewares company offering a full collection of luxury bedding and linens, and naturally, they offer a luxurious set of linen sheets. Woven from Belgian flax, the soft-washed sheets feature an intricate hemstitch corner for a timeless look. Also, Crane & Canopy sells its linen sheets as a set as well as individually, in case you want to start with just a duvet cover or a fitted sheet.
Our pick: Crane & Canopy Linen Sheets, $40-$249
8. Saatva
This linen sheet set is made from fair-trade, responsibly sourced, and all-natural Belgian linen and includes one flat sheet, one deep fitted sheet, and two pillowcases. The set only comes in a few basic colors, but the selection — white, ivory, and gray — is sure to match almost any decor. Saatva says its linen sheets are perfect for staying cool in the summer and warm in the winter. You'll also find that the sheets get softer and softer with every wash.
Our pick: Saatva Linen Sheet Set (Queen), $375
9. Coyuchi
Coyuchi is one of the few brands selling a 100% organic linen sheet set, with the company stressing that organic linen accounts for just 1% of the world's total linen production. The organic linen is grown in France, supporting a community of farmers who grow flax as part of their rotation of crops along with wheat, fava beans, and alfalfa. The sheets are garment washed for a relaxed feel, almost like sleeping in your favorite old T-shirt.
