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Photo courtesy of Z Gallerie

Although it's somewhat embarrassing to admit, I had no idea what luxury linens felt like until I got married. It was probably one of few times in life that I could get away with requesting just what I wanted, and rest assure knowing that someone just may get it for it--so I added it to my wedding registry.

Before my encounter with sweet dream splendor, I had a very simplistic view of bedding--a sheet is just a sheet, as long as it was clean and smelled fresh, I was good to go. I don't live in a cave, so of course I was vaguely aware of the thread count concept, but I had little understanding of what it meant or what it did for the fabric.The immediate thought is that the higher the thread count the better. One thing that I quickly realized once I had a taste of something other than my $10 plaid sheet and matching pillow case, was that it's not really about the thread count. What distinguishes a $30 sheet set from a $300 set is actually the material that it is made of. Don't get me wrong, the thread count does play a role, but more important than a high number, is the right fabric. My personal favorite is pima cotton. It's only a few steps down from the exceptional Egyptian cotton, but it feels great and is reasonably priced. You'll notice an immediate difference between synthetic and pima, it's amazing. I did a little road test to see whether or not it was the thread count or fabric that made the difference. I purchased a sheet set with the same thread count as one of my current pima cotton sets, and as soon as I took it out of the package I could feel the difference. The synthetic material was much stiffer and rough to the touch. So with that said, I'm hooked.

What's your bedroom luxury?

More on thread count from Real Simple and realsimple.com:

High thread counts for sheets
If you come across a label claiming a thread count of 400 or higher but you can't open the package to feel the sheets (or there's no sample available), beware. Some manufacturers count double-ply yarn twice in order to up the thread count.

From Real Simple's September 2006 issue:

WHAT COUNTS
Thread count became a selling point partly because Americans tend to equate quality with higher numbers (think horsepower and BTUs). Smart shoppers will also factor in the brand, the type of cotton or blend, and the kind of weave. BELOW 250 It is possible to get good-quality sheets that have a low thread count. Look for Egyptian cotton or American-grown Pima cotton, which are both fine, long-staple varieties. 250 TO 400 Better-quality sheets (that is, those that are surprisingly soft and long-lasting) can be found in this range. Unless you're particularly persnickety, you should find a set that suits you and won't break the bank. 400 PLUS Elite sheets usually carry a thread count between 400 and 600. It's possible to squeeze 1,000 threads into a square inch, but expect to pay a premium for a high-count sheet from a reputable maker.

There are tons of options for the best sheets at every price.

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