The Brooklinen Classic Percale and Linen sheets offer two distinct sleeping experiences, differing mainly in material, texture, and price. Classic Percale sheets are made from 100% long-staple cotton, giving them a crisp, cool, and smooth hotel-like feel. Linen sheets, crafted from European flax, are exceptionally breathable with a relaxed, naturally textured feel that becomes softer with every wash.
Here's everything you need to know to find the right Brooklinen sheets for your bedroom.
Brooklinen Classic Percale Sheets
Brooklinen’s Classic Percale sheets are prized for delivering that crisp, cool, and refreshed feeling you get from high-end hotel bedding. Woven from 100% long-staple cotton, these sheets feature a simple one-thread-over, one-thread-under weave that creates a lightweight, breathable fabric with a smooth matte finish.
- What it is: A cotton sheet set known for its signature crisp, cool-to-the-touch feel and matte finish.
- Key features: 270 thread count, 100% long-staple cotton, OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety. They are lightweight, durable, and get softer with each wash.
- Price: Starts at $129 for a Core Set (fitted sheet, flat sheet, two pillowcases).
- Style: Clean, classic, and polished. Ideal for modern, minimalist, or traditional bedroom decor for a neat, tailored look.
- Materials/Construction: Woven from 100% long-staple cotton using a percale weave, which enhances breathability and durability.
- Pros: Excellent for hot sleepers due to its cooling properties. Has that signature crisp feel many people love. Durable and long-lasting for the price. More affordable upfront than linen.
- Cons: Prone to wrinkling immediately after drying. The initial crispness might feel too starchy for those who prefer buttery-soft fabrics from day one.
This sheet set is perfect for anyone who runs hot at night or desires a clean-looking bed with a cool, sharp feel every time they slip into it.
Shop this product: brooklinen.com/products/classic-hardcore-sheet-bundle
Brooklinen Linen Sheets
Crafted from high-quality European flax, Brooklinen’s Linen sheets offer an effortlessly relaxed and airy sleeping environment. Linen is celebrated for its natural breathability, moisture-wicking properties, and unique textured feel. These sheets are garment-washed for immediate softness and develop even more character and comfort over time, making them a very durable investment.
- What it is: Lightweight, ultra-breathable sheets made from 100% linen for a relaxed, casual feel and lived-in look.
- Key features: Made from Belgian and French flax, OEKO-TEX certified for chemical safety, temperature-regulating, and naturally hypoallergenic and antimicrobial.
- Price: Starts at $179 for a Core Set.
- Style: Effortlessly casual and textured. The natural wrinkles are part of its charm, working perfectly with rustic, coastal, modern farmhouse, and bohemian decor.
- Materials/Construction: Each piece is made from 100% stonewashed linen, using eco-friendly manufacturing practices.
- Pros: Exceptionally breathable and moisture-wicking, making it great for hot climates and hot sleepers. Incredibly durable and gets softer with every wash. Sustainable material choice.
- Cons: Higher price point. The inherently wrinkled look isn't for everyone. May feel slightly coarse initially before being broken in through washing and use.
This bedding appeals to those who prioritize natural materials and an airy, relaxed aesthetic, and who view bedding as a long-term investment in comfort.
Shop this product: brooklinen.com/products/linen-hardcore-sheet-bundle
Brooklinen Percale vs. Linen Comparison
Feel & Comfort
The immediate difference between these two fabrics is the feel. Brooklinen's Classic Percale is smooth, crisp, and cool to the touch. Think of a freshly pressed button-down shirt - it's structured yet lightweight. Over time and with multiple washes, it softens considerably but retains its fresh crispness.
Linen has a distinctly different texture. It's not smooth but has a soft, slubby feel. Initially, it might feel a bit coarser than cotton, but it undergoes a remarkable transformation, becoming exceptionally soft and supple with each laundry cycle without ever feeling slick. It drapes over you with a gentle weight, while percale feels like it's lightly floating above you.
Temperature & Breathability
Both options are excellent choices for hot sleepers, but they manage temperature differently. Percale's tight weave makes it naturally lightweight and breathable, allowing air to circulate freely. It has a notable coolness when you first get into bed.
Linen, however, is on another level. Flax fibers are hollow, which allows for incredible airflow and moisture-wicking properties. It actively pulls moisture away from your body, making it a superior choice for humid climates or anyone who sweats at night. It is exceptionally self-regulating, feeling cool in the summer and comfortably cozy in the winter.
Materials & Durability
Percale is an already strong fabric due to its long-staple cotton composition and tight weave. It holds up very well to regular washing and use, making it a practical choice for everyday bedding.
Linen is one of the strongest natural fibers in the world. It is known for its durability and longevity - in fact, linen fabric gets stronger when wet. This means your sheets will not only withstand washing but actually improve, becoming more resilient and soft. While a bigger initial investment, linen sheets are a purchase intended to last for many years, often outlasting their cotton counterparts.
Style & Aesthetic
These fabrics offer completely opposite looks for your bedroom. Classic Percale promotes a clean, neat, and polished aesthetic. When ironed or smoothed out, it provides a sharp, hotel-inspired appearance that looks tidy and fits well with traditional or modern decor styles.
Linen embraces a casual, relaxed, and "perfectly imperfect" style. Its natural charm lies in its "lived-in" wrinkles, giving your bed an inviting, effortless look. This aesthetic is perfectly suited for rustic, bohemian, Scandinavian, or coastal interiors where comfort and understated elegance are key.
Price & Value
Percale offers a more accessible price point, starting at around $129. For shoppers wanting a high-quality, long-lasting sheet without a major splurge, it delivers excellent value with its cool feel and durability.
Linen comes at a premium, starting around $179. The higher price reflects the more complex manufacturing process of European flax and the fabric's superior durability and temperature-regulating qualities. It should be seen as a long-term investment in sleep quality and a sustainable, durable product that will last for years to come.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both sheet sets are great choices from Brooklinen, but they cater to very different preferences for feel and style.
Choose the Classic Percale if:
- You love the crisp, cool feel of a high-end hotel bed.
- You want sheets that feel smooth and structured against your skin.
- You prefer a clean, neat aesthetic for your bedroom decor.
- You're a hot sleeper who wants a high-quality, breathable fabric at a more affordable price point.
Choose the Linen if:
- You prefer an airy, relaxed, and naturally textured fabric.
- You love a casual, lived-in aesthetic and don't mind natural wrinkling.
- You need maximum breathability and moisture-wicking for a hot or humid climate.
- You are willing to invest more for an incredibly durable, eco-friendly fabric that just gets softer and better over time.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Brooklinen's Percale and Linen?
The main difference is the material and feel. Percale is 100% cotton with a crisp, smooth finish, like a hotel sheet. Linen is made from flax and has a relaxed, lightly textured, and extremely breathable feel that softens dramatically over time. This also affects their style - percale is polished, while linen is casual.
Which is cooler for sleeping: percale or linen?
Both are great for hot sleepers. Percale feels cooler and crisper to the touch initially. However, linen has superior breathability and moisture-wicking properties, regulating temperature more effectively through the night, which many people find makes it a better overall choice for staying cool and dry.
Will Brooklinen's linen sheets get softer?
Absolutely. Linen sheets are known for their ability to soften significantly with each wash and use. While they might start with a hint of texture, they will become incredibly soft, supple, and comfortable over time without losing their strength.
Do Brooklinen's percale sheets wrinkle a lot?
Yes, wrinkling is a natural characteristic of percale's tight cotton weave. To minimize wrinkles, we recommend removing the sheets from the dryer as soon as the cycle finishes and putting them directly on the bed while they are still slightly warm.
Is linen worth the extra cost?
Many customers believe it is. While linen is more expensive upfront, its superior durability, exceptional temperature regulation, and relaxed aesthetic make it a worthwhile long-term investment for those who prioritize those qualities. If you love a soft, lived-in feel and a natural look, it's hard to beat.
How do you wash Brooklinen percale and linen sheets?
For both fabrics, wash with like colors on a cool or warm cycle with a gentle detergent. Avoid using fabric softeners, as they can coat the fibers and reduce breathability. We recommend tumble drying on low, linen is especially prone to damage from high heat.
Which is more durable, percale or linen?
Linen is one of the strongest natural fibers and is generally considered more durable than cotton. Flax gets stronger when wet and can withstand years of washing, often outlasting cotton percale sheets.
Are both sheet types OEKO-TEX certified?
Yes, both Brooklinen's Classic Percale and Linen collections are OEKO-TEX certified, meaning they have been tested and found to be free of harmful substances and chemicals.
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