I’ve always loved layers.
A fitted sheet.
A top sheet.
A duvet.
A throw blanket.
Pillows stacked like a hotel display.
But my husband?
He’s a top-sheet refusenik .
To him, it’s one more thing to tuck in, one more layer to kick off by morning — and honestly, he doesn’t get the point.
And it turns out…
He’s not alone.
Across the country, a quiet bedding revolution is happening — and it’s being led by people who’ve decided to skip the top sheet altogether.
From minimalist sleepers to hot sleepers to the proudly lazy…
Let’s explore why the top sheet is fading from our beds — and what this says about how we sleep today.
🛏️ The Origins of the Top Sheet – Why We Used to Use It
Once upon a time, bedding was a ritual — not just comfort, but structure.
Back in the day, the top sheet served a clear purpose:
Hygiene : Kept body oils and sweat off the duvet or comforter
Warmth : Layering allowed for adjustable temperature control
Tradition : Beds were made a certain way — and top sheets were part of the formula
Suzanne Pollak, founder of the Charleston Academy of Domestic Pursuits, once said:
“A proper bed requires a bottom sheet, a top sheet, a blanket, and a coverlet.”
That was the classic four-layer bed — neat, tidy, and deeply traditional.
But now?
People are skipping a step — and it’s not just laziness.
🚫 Why People Are Ditching the Top Sheet
1. Simplicity Wins
Let’s face it — making the bed is one more thing on the morning to-do list.
With a fitted sheet and duvet, you’re done in seconds.
No tucking.
No smoothing.
No fighting with corners that won’t stay tucked.
Just a quick toss and smooth — and you’re out the door.
2. Tangling is Real:
Raise your hand if you’ve ever woken up feeling like your top sheet had turned into a wrestling match.
It starts off neatly tucked.
But by morning?
It’s wrapped around your legs like a boa constrictor.
No one wants to wrestle fabric before coffee — and people are opting out of the struggle.
3. Duvets Are Cleaner (and Easier to Wash)
With the rise of the duvet culture , many people are washing their duvet covers more frequently — which makes top sheets less necessary.
Duvet covers can be washed weekly.
They’re easier to clean than heavy comforters.
They offer a fresh layer without needing a top sheet underneath.
4. Hot Sleepers Unite
Some of us are hot sleepers — the kind who wake up sweaty, peel off layers, and question the purpose of anything extra on the bed.
For these folks:
The top sheet is just more heat
The duvet is enough
Less is more (especially at night)
5. Millennial Minimalism Wins
Let’s be honest — younger generations are redefining what “bedding” means.
They value:
Simplicity
Aesthetics (hello, Instagram-ready beds)
Comfort without fuss
And when you look at the numbers…
40% of Parachute’s customers now opt for fitted sheets only.
No top sheet.
No extra laundry.
Just a duvet and a mattress that feels lived-in — not over-layered.
🧼 The Practical Side: Do You Really Need a Top Sheet?
It’s not just about style — it’s about hygiene, habits, and personal preference .
Pros of Using a Top Sheet:
Extra layer of protection
Keeps your duvet or comforter cleaner longer
Classic bedding feel
For those who grew up with it — it just feels right
Great for cold sleepers
Adds warmth without extra blankets
Easier to launder
Washes faster than bulky duvets
Cons of Using a Top Sheet:
Tangles during the night
Especially if you’re a restless sleeper
Adds extra laundry
One more thing to wash, fold, and store
Less necessary with duvets
If you wash the cover regularly, it’s redundant
Not always stylish
Some find it bulky or outdated
🌙 Final Thoughts: Sleep Is Personal — And So Is Your Bed
There’s no right or wrong way to make a bed — just the way that makes you comfortable.
For some, the top sheet is a cherished part of bedtime — a soft barrier between body and duvet.
For others?
It’s just one more thing to wrestle before falling asleep.
And maybe that’s the real reason it’s disappearing.
Because sleep isn’t about tradition.
It’s about comfort.
About ease.
About not waking up with a sheet around your ankles.
So next time you’re folding laundry and wondering if you really need that top sheet…
Ask yourself:
“Do I use it?”
“Does it make my sleep better?”
“Or is it just taking up space in my linen closet?”
Because sometimes, the best way to make your bed…
Is to make it the way that makes you happiest.
And if that means just a fitted sheet and a cozy duvet?
So be it.
Because in the end, the only thing that matters is that you slept well — and woke up feeling good.
And that’s what sleep is really about.