I Tried These Linen Sheets That Went Through 27 Different Versions to Arrive at This Custom Weave, and They’re Like Sleeping on a Cloud

I’ve recently decided linen clothing is not for me — and not because I don’t like the lightweight, relaxed look or feel of linen fabric. I just find that the easy, breezy fabric gets so wrinkled, which bothers me, and I’m not about to break out my Steamery steamer multiple times a day to fix it. 

So I was a little hesitant to try linen bedding, despite how much other people seem to love it. When I heard Brooklinen went through 27 different iterations to land at the custom weave of its new and improved Washed European Linen Sheets, though, my interest was piqued, and I figured I’d give them a try for the warmer months to lighten up the look of my bed. 

When the Brooklinen Washed European Linen Sheets came, and I took them out of the box, I was impressed by the lack of wrinkles. I’m not saying there weren’t any creases or marks, but the set was definitely giving more artfully lived-in versus crumpled mess. Typically, I’ll wash new sheets before putting them on (for extra softness), but I was feeling lazy so I skipped that step this time and found that the set felt plenty soft and cozy. Turns out they’re specially garment-washed so they feel this way right out of the packaging.

I have a king-size bed with a pillow topper, and sometimes sheets are a pain to put on because the mattress is so thick. The Brooklinen Washed European Linen Sheets went on super easily, though, thanks to their generous size. But they fit nicely — not too tight but also not too loose, because pooling fabric at the corners can look a little sloppy in my opinion (and be a bit uncomfortable and annoying if you toss and turn because larger sheets tend to need constant adjustment). The core set includes a fitted sheet, a flat sheet, and two pillowcases, so you have everything you need to fully deck out your bed.

These sheets come in a handful of pretty solid colors (I see a lot of sheets and really thought the teal Cyprus colorway was stunning in person), but I went with the Pinstripe in Fresh Moss. I love that the fitted sheet featured horizontal pin stripes while the pillowcases and flat sheet bands run vertically; this just feels like a nice design touch that adds a bit of quirk and character to the bedding. Even though the backdrop of the sheets is a crisp, true white, they play decently well with my warmer creamy duvet and work quite nicely with my green tapestry-inspired accent pillows.

As far as feel goes, the sheets are cool to the touch and fairly soft — they’re not stiff at all, which was a worry I had because some linen materials can be this way. It’s probably because they’re made of 100 percent flax from Portugal, and linen, by nature, has moisture-wicking properties. 

I’ve now washed the sheets once, and I think they feel even softer than when I first got them — but the thing is, I’m not worried about them ripping or snagging. That’s because part of the tweaking Brooklinen’s designers did had everything to do with material strength; the fabric is just a little bit heavier and the tensile stronger than before, so you know they’re going to last (and that’s why they’re worth the spend … because they aren’t inexpensive). 

Did I mention that they’re breathable? Despite somehow always being cold, I tend to sleep hot, so I worried a bit about linen versus cool, crisp cotton. But I’m happy to report that I didn’t wake up during the night in a cold sweat. So I’d say they delivered on airflow, too. 

Linen bedding screams quiet luxury and effortless relaxation, so you have to be willing to spend to get something this fine to sleep on. But unlike silk or satin, which easily stain and tend to sleep hot, you don’t have to be so precious here. Brooklinen’s Washed European Linen Sheets are built to last, and they come in the most gorgeous colors, so there’s something for every aesthetic. Coordinating duvets are also available. 

Even if wrinkles bother you, I don’t think you’ll have an issue with these sheets. If you’ve been thinking about investing in linen, now’s the time to do so, at least with Brooklinen. The Washed European Linen Sheets are better than before and if you act fast, you can take advantage of the brand’s 25% off anniversary sale.

Buy: Brooklinen Washed European Linen Sheets, Starting at $261.00 $349.00