Many are rethinking the traditional bed setup, ditching the top sheet for a simpler approach. Originally meant for hygiene, the top sheet acted as a barrier between our bodies and heavier bedding. Suzanne Pollak, founder of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, notes the traditional bed includes a bottom sheet, top sheet, blanket, and another top sheet as a coverlet. However, the top sheet is losing ground due to ease and comfort. Skipping it simplifies bed-making—just throw a duvet over the fitted sheet. Complaints about the top sheet tangling around legs and disrupting sleep also contribute to its decline.
This trend is supported by numbers; Parachute, a Los Angeles-based linen company, reports 40% of their customers prefer only the fitted sheet. Millennials seem particularly inclined towards this shift, with a clear message: the top sheet may be becoming a relic of the past.