Housewife vs Oxford Pillowcases. Why the names, what do they mean? The difference is simple, ‘Housewife’ Pillowcases have no frill, while ‘Oxford’ Pillowcases have an extra border, generally around 5cm, around the edge. They’re both to fir the same standard size of pillow, 50cm by 75cm wide.
Housewife vs Oxford Pillowcases
Housewife vs Oxford Pillowcases. There’s no real practical difference between Housewife and Oxford pillowcases, it’s all about the aesthetic. We find that the best option for a great-looking bed is to mix and match the two. Ona Double or King Size bed, use two Housewife pillowcases on the sheet and two Oxford types to finish the look off. The extra frill adds a touch of style to your bed and really sets off the design.
Housewife Pillowcases
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‘Housewife’ describes what we might call a ‘normal’ pillowcase. These pillowcases do not have the 5cm ‘frill’ present on ‘Oxford’ pillowcases. These tend to be the most popular pillowcases and have an unmistakable ‘classic’ style, being simple and elegant. Our Housewife pillowcases are the standard Ireland/UK size, 50cm by 75cm and fit all our pillows.
The term ‘housewife’ – used by many, if not all, linen retailers – originated in the 1800s when The Housewives Co-operative in Bolton in Lancashire, designed the style with a flap at one end to easily open and close the case. This simple design feature arose because previous pillowcases had a plain, open end, from which the pillows often fell out. To pay tribute to the diligent work and design inspiration of the ladies of the The Housewives Co-operative, they became universally known as ‘Housewife’.
We know there has been some backlash to the use of this term recently, calling it rather dated, even sexist. We’re aware of that, but use the term as it is a commonly accepted description. If you feel we’ve made a mistake there, please let us know.
Oxford Pillowcases
The main point of an Oxford is the border, or frill, around the edge. Usually about 5cm, the border adds an extra touch of style to your bed. An Oxford Pillowcase often (but not always) has an opening at the back where the pillow is inserted and it’s famous for having a decorative border of various shapes and sizes. It’s usually mistaken to be larger in size because of its wide-stitched flat hem. The borders on Oxford pillowcases is sometimes decorated.
Oxford pillowcases get their name, not from the design, but from the material. It also has nothing to do with the city of Oxford. The name comes from ‘Oxford Cloth’, which was typically used to make hard-wearing shirts, but became popular for use as bed linen. It was designed by Oxford to look more elegant and more distinctive than your traditional Housewives pillowcase.
Our Oxford pillowcases are the standard Ireland/UK size, 50cm by 75cm (plus 5cm frill) and fit all our pillows.
Which Should I Choose?
We say mix and match! A double bed with two Housewives and two Oxfords looks great! Coordinate your bed linen, with our Satin Stripe (sometimes called ‘Hotel Stripe’) Duvet Cover and Pillowcase set. Sets contain one duvet cover, two Housewife pillowcases and two Oxfords. All are made from a high quality, durable cotton/polyester mix, with the unmistakable stripe design, so associated with luxury hotels. That said, the choice if, of course, yours! There’s no real difference between the two pillowcase styles, it’s just a matter of preference!
Fantastic Discounted Prices… Today!
Pillow & Mattress Protectors, Pillows and Duvets – Stock is limited, but lots more coming very soon!
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Cotton vs Polycotton – which is best? That’s a difficult question and all depends on what you want. Cotton is more expensive, but polycotton is way more durable and long-lasting. Cotton tends to be softer, but polycotton brings a crisp and clean feel to your bedding.
Cotton vs Polycotton
It’s all a matter of preference! Cotton feels softer on your skin, but polycotton feels crisp and fresh on your bed. Cotton is less strong and more likely to tear, whereas polycotton is a much stronger material, less likely to tear.
Cotton is also notoriously awkward to keep clean. It requires lower temperatures, meaning a less thorough wash and is considerably more difficult to iron. Polycotton however, can be washed a temperatures up to 60°, meaning a much cleaner wash. It can be tumble dried without any problems and is much easier to iron. Combining cotton and polyester makes the garment less prone to piling and static. One of the main advantages of the cotton-polyester blend is that it is more wrinkle-free.
Hotel Stripe Polyester Cotton Bed Linen
Satin Stripe (or ‘Hotel Stripe’) Pillowcases & Duvet Covers in Double or King Sizes. Made from durable, 200 thread count polycotton (50% cotton, 50% polyester), these stylish Satin Stripe (sometimes called ‘Hotel Stripe’) duvet covers and matching pillowcases bring a touch of hotel luxury to your home, guest house or B&B.
They are a perfect fit for our Duvets and have coordinating pillowcases in ‘Housewife’ and ‘Oxford’ styles. Mix and match this range for a beautifully coordinated, luxury hotel look!
Buy Cotton Bedding in Ireland
Cotton has been the staple of bedding for many a generation and offers warmth, softness and a cozy feel. All good! The problem is, it’s a bit pricey and takes some effort keeping it clean and fresh.
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Bedding Sets
Cotton Bedding Set
100% cotton bedding one of life’s luxuries! Our 100% cotton bedding sets – flat sheets, fitted sheets, duvet covers – are available in Single, Double and King Size.
Cotton vs Polycotton, it’s a big decision! On average, we spend about a third of our lives in bed. It’s so important to make sure our sleeping time is as restful as possible. The range of 100% cotton bedding from KerryLinen.ie gives you a cozy nights’ sleep at a very affordable price! Whether you’re looking for just a cotton pillowcase or a matching cotton bedding set, you can be sure you’ll find just the right bedding, right here!
We stock 100% cotton bedding perfect for your home, also for you guest house, B&B or hotel. We like simple white cotton bedding. Crisp, clean and fresh, few things feel quite as 100 cotton bedding. Treat yourself (or your guests) to a better night’s sleep!
Polycotton is Strong & Durable
Polycotton is a highly durable material as Polyester contains strong plastic-like substances, making it far less likely to rip or tear. The durable nature of Polycotton makes it an very popular choice in commercial situations such as hotels, where bed sheets are often changed often.
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Polycotton is a blend of natural cotton and synthetic polyester. Both Cotton and Polycotton bed sheets are easy to care for, both types of fabric can be washed on normal cycles in your washing machine and can be dried in the dryer. It is advised to wash cotton at lower temperatures (around 30° or 40°) however Polycotton can be washed at higher temperatures – up to 60° – for ultimate cleanliness. Washing natural fabrics like cotton 60 degrees may (most likely, will) cause them to shrink, however polycotton will not. That said, there are a number of types of cotton and polycotton, so always follow the manufacturer’s guidelines when washing and drying your sheets and bed linen.
Monochrome wall art photography prints of beautiful Ireland. Classic black and white photography of Irish landscapes for modern contemporary décor. With black and white prints you can never go wrong, they are timeless and will keep your bedroom looking elegant and stylish. Create an eye-catching gallery of monochrome landscapes of the stunning Kingdom of Kerry. The contrast of traditional décor and contemporary art prints is a wonderful juxtaposition. Buy stunning monochrome artwork prints from LoveBeautifulIreland.com.
Individual framed prints look great, but a set of four or five, tastefully arranged on your wall looks incredible! Most prints are approximately 11½ by 16½ inches, all with bold frames in black or white and white inset card. Overall measurement approximately 17½ by 22½ inches.
Bring a real touch of contemporary elegance to your home, guest house or hotel with these stunning monochrome prints of The Kingdom! Discounts for Kerry Linen customers, too!
