via because my own bed is definitely not blog-worthy lol
* I received this item as a gift in November 2019. Thank you to Quince for your patience as this review is over half a year late.
I’m no bedding expert but I have reviewed some direct to consumer (DTC) bedding brands like Brooklinen and Casper. (If you want a really good review of DTC bedding, Luxe wrote one last year). But I’ve always purchased cotton bedding because that’s what I was used to. And then when I wrote about linen clothing a couple years ago, several of you guys raved about linen sheets. But the price point for linen sheets seemed too high for just a “try out” (I mean what if I disliked it, then what?). So I put linen sheets on my “someday” list. Well when Quince asked if there was anything I would like to review, I jumped at the chance to try out their European linen sheet set.
I received these sheets in the winter, and thinking that linen is for summer, I didn’t actually try them out until the spring. But what makes linen bedding so great is that it’s actually temperature regulating, so they’re warming in the winter and cooling in the summer. Linen bedding is also anti-static and anti-bacterial (source). At first, I was worried my husband would veto these sheets because they feel slightly rough to the touch (even after the first washing). But when you’re sleeping on them it doesn’t feel rough at all. Plus they’ll soften with more washings. In fact, I really love these linen sheets because they really are temperature regulating. I’ve been using the top sheet by itself during these summer months and it’s been keeping me warm even when the night temperatures dip down to the mid-50’s.
The linen that Quince uses is ethically woven in India from French flax. Like I said above their Oeko-Tex certified, meaning they don’t use harmful chemicals in the making of this bedding. They only come in white and in the usual bed sizes {June 2023 Update: as of today they now have 19 different color variations—even stripes!}. I ordered the king size and found the sheets to be a tad larger than my king size bed (which I don’t mind since it makes putting on the bedding an ease, but if you want the sheets to be tight and fitted, you’re going to need to do some tucking). The set comes with a fitted sheet, top sheet and two pillow cases. TBH I didn’t use the pillow cases because I always use my silk one.
As for pricing, yep these linen sheets still cost a pretty penny but after a quick look at other DTC brands selling linen sheets, Quince again has the best pricing. Brooklinen sells king-size linen sheets for $250 (Oeko-Tex woven in Portugal), Tuft & Needle for $225 (Oeko-Tex woven in India), and The Citizenry for $275 (Oeko-Tex woven in Portugal). For reference, Quince sells the king-size for $179 {As of June 2023 they are now selling for $50 less at $129!}.
But if you’re interested in getting high-quality linen sheets in white, I highly recommend Quince.
P.S. You can read all my other Quince reviews here.
{June 2023 Update: After almost 4 years of constant use (with machine washing and drying) a large hole appeared near my feet on the fitted sheet. I couldn’t believe it because I’ve never created a hole in my sheets before. Am I running in my sleep like a dog? Lol, I think it might have been a combination of the dryer (which thinned out the sheet some and created a TON of lint) and my feet movement. I could see the sheet thinning even though it’s hard to tell on an all-white sheet. I also have a gray set that I purchased about two years ago, and those are still looking good (but that also might be because I used the white ones preferentially). Anyway I turned the fitted sheet into some rags and ordered another set (they have so many colors now!). I think the best way to keep these sheets from thinning and getting a hole is to probably air dry them (but I probably won’t because I’m lazy). Anyone else get a hole in their sheets?}