Why Top Sheets Aren’t Being Used on Beds Anymore

“If it were up to me, I’d surround myself with a lavish assortment of quilts, duvets, and pillows when I sleep. However, my husband doesn’t share my perpetual coldness, so our bed arrangement is quite simple – a fitted sheet, a top sheet, one pillow each, and a lightweight quilt.

If your bed setup resembles ours, you might find that we’re a bit behind the current trend. Interestingly, a growing number of people are abandoning the use of top sheets, and here’s why.

Originally, the unassuming top sheet served a hygienic purpose by acting as a barrier between our bodies and heavier bed covers such as duvets, quilts, and comforters.

This design meant that while sheets and pillowcases needed frequent washing, the bulkier items did not. According to Suzanne Pollak, founder of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, the traditional bed setup involves a bottom sheet, a top sheet, a blanket, and another top sheet as a coverlet.

So, why is the once-essential top sheet falling out of favor? Several reasons have surfaced. One primary factor is the simplicity of bed-making. By eliminating the need to tuck in a flat sheet, one can effortlessly throw a duvet or quilt over the fitted sheet – a quick and easy solution.

Additionally, the common complaint of the top sheet wrapping around one’s legs and disrupting sleep has led many to actively discard this particular bed linen, despite its seemingly trivial nature.

This trend is not merely anecdotal; there are numbers to support it. Parachute, a Los Angeles-based linen company, has disclosed that approximately 40% of their customers prefer only the fitted sheet, showing no interest in its flat counterpart.

As a result, they have adjusted their product offerings to meet this demand.

In conclusion, the decision to use a top sheet or not ultimately comes down to personal preference.

However, it appears that a significant segment of the newer generation, particularly millennials, has unmistakably signaled their choice: the top sheet might just be a relic of the past.”