The Parachute Brushed Cotton and Percale sheet sets are both crafted from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton, but they offer completely different sleep experiences due to their finish. Brushed Cotton is exceptionally soft, plush, and cozy with a velvety feel perfect for cooler nights, while Percale is lightweight, crisp, and cool to the touch with a breathable, matte finish ideal for hot sleepers.
Here's everything you need to know to choose the right Parachute bedding for your preferences.
Parachute Brushed Cotton Sheet Set
Parachute's Brushed Cotton bedding is designed for pure comfort, offering a buttery-soft and luxurious feel right out of the box. The fabric undergoes a special brushing process that raises the fibers to create a velvety, plush surface reminiscent of a perfectly worn-in favorite shirt. It's the ideal choice for anyone who prioritizes a soft, warm, and cocooning sleep environment.
- What it is: A warm and exceptionally soft sheet set made from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton with a brushed finish.
- Key features: Velvety plush texture, gentle on the skin, provides warmth without being too heavy, feels instantly "lived-in."
- Price: Around $149 for a Queen set.
- Style: Relaxed, inviting, and cozy. Perfect for creating a comfortable and casual bedroom aesthetic.
- Materials/Construction: Made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton from a family-owned Portuguese mill.
- Pros: Extremely soft and cozy from the first wash. Ideal for cold sleepers or cooler seasons. Less prone to wrinkling than crisp fabrics. Has a luxurious, gentle feel against the skin.
- Cons: Can be too warm for hot sleepers or summer weather. Higher price point than the percale option. Does not have the crisp, structured look of traditional sheets.
The Brushed Cotton set is ideal for anyone whose top priority is a supremely soft, warm, and comforting bed, particularly during colder months.
Shop this product: parachutehome.com/products/brushed-cotton-sheet-set
Parachute Percale Sheet Set
Parachute's Percale bedding is the fabric of choice for those who love the crisp, clean feel of classic, high-end hotel sheets. Woven from 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton in a tight one-over, one-under weave, it's exceptionally cool, lightweight, and breathable. With a smooth matte finish, these sheets become softer with every wash while retaining their signature crisp structure.
- What it is: A cool, crisp, and breathable sheet set designed to feel like fresh, five-star hotel bedding.
- Key features: Smooth matte finish, lightweight and airy, extremely breathable, durable, and resistant to pilling.
- Price: Around $129 for a Queen set.
- Style: Minimalist, clean, and timeless. Complements modern, traditional, and transitional decor with a neat, structured appearance.
- Materials/Construction: Made from OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified 100% long-staple Egyptian cotton.
- Pros: Excellent for hot sleepers and warm climates. Crisp texture feels fresh and clean. Very durable and gets softer over time. Classic, elegant look.
- Cons: Can feel too stiff for those who prefer softer fabrics. Prone to wrinkling. Might make a slight rustling sound when you move, which some find disruptive.
The Percale set is an excellent choice for hot sleepers or anyone who values a crisp, clean aesthetic and a cool-to-the-touch feel.
Shop this product: parachutehome.com/products/percale-sheet-set
Brushed Cotton vs. Percale Comparison
Texture & Feel
The most significant difference between these two fabrics is how they feel. The Brushed Cotton is defined by its plush, velvety softness that feels cozy and gentle against the skin from day one. It lacks the crispness of other weaves, instead offering a comforting, worn-in texture.
In contrast, the Percale provides a cool, crisp, and smooth experience. It has a definitive structure that you can both see and feel - think of a freshly pressed button-down shirt. While it softens with each wash, it will always retain its signature crisp hand-feel.
Breathability & Temperature Regulation
This is a critical factor for many sleepers. Percale is the clear winner for breathability. Its tight, lightweight weave allows for maximum airflow, making it exceptionally good at wicking away moisture and keeping you cool. It is the go-to choice for people who sleep hot or live in warmer climates.
Brushed Cotton is designed to retain warmth. The brushing process creates tiny air pockets that trap heat, making it much warmer and cozier than Percale. While still breathable thanks to its cotton construction, it is best suited for cold sleepers or use during autumn and winter.
Style & Aesthetic
Percale sheets offer a clean, tidy, and minimalist aesthetic. They drape neatly and provide a structured, hotel-bed look that appears classic and timeless. This makes them a versatile choice for a wide range of bedroom decor styles, from modern to traditional.
Brushed Cotton has a much more relaxed and casual appearance. Its soft drape and plush texture create an inviting "come-and-lounge" vibe. This fabric works perfectly in bedrooms with a cozy, rustic, or laid-back contemporary style.
Price & Value
The Percale sheet set is the more budget-friendly option, typically priced around $129 for a queen size. Given its durability and timeless appeal, it offers excellent long-term value, especially for those in warmer climates. The Brushed Cotton set is slightly more expensive at around $149 for a queen, reflecting the extra processing required to achieve its signature softness. Its value lies in the luxurious comfort and warmth it provides.
Which One Should You Choose?
Both Parachute bedding sets offer exceptional quality, but they are built for very different preferences.
Choose Brushed Cotton if:
- You prioritize a soft, plush, and velvety feel above all else.
- You often feel cold at night or are preparing for cooler seasons.
- You want bedding that feels instantly cozy and worn-in.
- You prefer a relaxed, casual aesthetic in your bedroom.
Choose Percale if:
- You are a hot sleeper or live in a warm, humid climate.
- You love the crisp, cool, and clean feel of classic hotel sheets.
- You value durability and a fabric that resists pilling over time.
- You prefer a neat, structured, and minimalist look for your bed.
Frequently Asked Questions
What's the main difference between Parachute Percale and Brushed Cotton?
The main difference is the feel and sleeping temperature. Percale is cool, crisp, and breathable with a structured matte finish. Brushed Cotton is soft, warm, and plush with a cozy, velvety texture.
Which fabric is cooler for sleeping?
Percale is significantly cooler. Its lightweight and breathable weave is specifically designed to promote airflow, making it the ideal choice for hot sleepers or warm weather.
Does Brushed Cotton feel like flannel?
Brushed Cotton shares a similar cozy and warm feeling with flannel, but it's much lighter. Because it's 100% cotton and not made of wool or synthetics, it has a more refined, 'all-season cozy' feel compared to the heavy warmth of traditional winter flannel.
Which Parachute fabric is softer?
The Brushed Cotton is immediately softer to the touch. The brushing process is designed specifically to create a plush, velvety surface. While Percale softens considerably over time, it will always maintain its underlying crispness.
Do Parachute's Percale sheets wrinkle easily?
Yes, wrinkling is a natural characteristic of the percale weave due to the tight cotton fibers. To minimize wrinkles, remove them from the dryer as soon as the cycle finishes and make the bed immediately.
How should I care for these sheets?
Both sets are easy to care for. Parachute recommends machine washing on a cool cycle using mild, liquid laundry detergent and tumble drying on low. It's best to avoid fabric softeners and bleach to protect the natural fibers.
Are both types of sheets ethically made?
Yes, both the Brushed Cotton and Percale collections are OEKO-TEX Standard 100 certified, meaning they are free of harmful chemicals and toxins. They are crafted in a family-owned mill in Portugal with a focus on responsible manufacturing.
Which is better for people with sensitive skin?
Both are excellent options as they are made from 100% long-staple cotton and are chemical-free. However, some people may find the extra-soft, smooth texture of the Brushed Cotton feels more gentle and less abrasive on sensitive skin.
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