Gen Z Skips Top Sheets: Is This a Trend to Follow? Insights from Industry Experts
Go Topless or Tuck In? The Great Bedding Debate Unveiled
Ah, the age-old dilemma of bed linens - top sheet or no top sheet? For some, it's the secret weapon against a tangled bed, while others view it as an unnecessary expense. We delve into the history, examine the arguments, and even hear from bedding experts to determine if there's a "right way" to (you guessed it) make the bed.
European-style bedding has traditionally utilized a duvet and a fitted bottom sheet, while American-style bedding embraces a flat sheet (the "top sheet") in between. But, have you wondered why? The flat sheet used to be all we had, people just wrapped it around their mattresses. Fast forward to 1959 and Bertha Berman revolutionized bed linens by patenting a fitted sheet with elastic pockets that hug the mattress edges, taking the world by storm.
Duvet or comforter? Harder-to-clean bedding with blankets or a top sheet? Your choice depends on your personal preference, what you're used to, and your willingness to wash your bedding. Some find it easier to toss their entire bedding set in the wash rather than struggling with a duvet cover. But what do the experts say?
Embrace the Lazy, Low-Maintenance Life
"I personally don't need a top sheet," says Emily Henderson, an interior designer and stylist. "They're too much hassle to deal with, causing me more stress than comfort."
Cold on One Side, Hot on the Other
"My husband and I need a top sheet to regulate our temperature differences," admits Jonathan Adler, a potter, designer, and author. "I'm burning up under just the top sheet while he's shivering under every blanket!"
Save Your Wallet, Save Your Space
Ariel Kaye, founder, and CEO of Parachute echoes a similar sentiment. "At Parachute, we consider the top sheet a bonus option. Forget the unnecessary extra layers and the hassle of having to re-stuff your duvet back into its cover. Since 40 percent of Americans sleep without a top sheet, we offer it separately."
Changing With the Seasons
"The top sheet is all about personal preference," asserts Vicki Fulop, co-founder, and CCO of Brooklinen. "Top sheets are especially nice in the summertime, but in winter, you may opt out of them completely! It's all about your comfort."
The Duvet Dance
"A duvet floats over your body," argues Tricia Rose, founder of Rough Linen. "A top sheet hinders that lightness, making the duvet feel bulky and defeating its purpose. It complicates bed-making and can leave you tangled in the night."
Embrace the Extra Layer of Coziness
On the other hand, Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas, principal interior designers at Cloth & Kind Interiors, confess their love for top sheets. "We both appreciate the added comfort a top sheet brings to our beds, forming the perfect cozy retreat at the end of a long day."
Long story short, the great bedding debate is still raging on, with strong opinions from experts and different generations. Whether it's the question of hygiene, practicality, comfort, or generational preferences, there's no clear winner. Ultimately, the choice comes down to you - go topless or tuck in, sleep tight!
In the bedroom decorating debate, some, like interior designer Emily Henderson, find top sheets to be counterproductive due to the hassle they present. Jonathan Adler and his wife, on the other hand, require a top sheet to manage their temperature differences. Ariel Kaye, CEO of Parachute, suggests that the top sheet is an optional extra, promoting a streamlined approach to bedding. Vicki Fulop from Brooklinen asserts that the preference for a top sheet depends on the season and one's personal comfort. Meanwhile, Tricia Rose of Rough Linen argues that a duvet offers a lighter, less bulky feel, which can be hindered by a top sheet. In contrast, Tami Ramsay and Krista Nye Nicholas from Cloth & Kind Interiors express their appreciation for the added comfort that a top sheet brings to their beds. The bedroom decorating dilemma remains, with no definitive answer, leaving the choice to each individual's preference and needs.
