Bedding advice, please ladies!

I just use duvet!

So do I, jeni - apart from in my spare bed, where I drift off to when the other 'arf snores! In that cosy wee bed, I have flannelette bottom and top sheets, a thin duvet and an ancient, but gloriously coloured satin eiderdown! Bliss indeed!

Sorry just the duvet.

Just the duvet. Tried Egyptian cotton bedding and they need ironing so save on the expense and go for good poly/cotton. Life's too short

Just the duvet. On v. hot nights just a beautifully cool cotton sheet.
I always get tangled up when I have been somewhere where there is a top sheet and duvet -drives me nuts!

When I owned a duvet (too hot these days) I always used it with a top sheet with the top end folded over and sides and bottom tucked in. You can then turn over without taking the duvet with you, it doesn't move. If there are two of you it prevents the battle of the bed covers! For the last 13 years I have slept with only starched cotton sheets, can't bear the thought of poly/cotton next to my skin. A high thread count cotton is lovely to the touch, soft if you prefer or crisp if starched. I have heard that M&S cotton bedding is good quality, but have not tried it myself.
phoenix I hope you find something to suit your requirements. It's cotton top sheet for me any day!

I did work with a woman once who used a top sheet as well - she said it cut down on the number of times she had to wash the duvet cover!

Just bought a 4.5 tog duvet for summer use with cotton sheet... will let you know in the morning how it worked!!

I can't bear a sheet and a duvet either , its just a duvet for us, light one for the Summer is fine. My MIL uses sheets as well and I spend half the night with it wrapped around me when I've stayed there..

Yes, me too. Top sheet ( cotton or linen ) all the time. Change duvet cover one in three, sheet once a week.
If I had the energy, or the staff!!, would change twice a week, but that is not likely to happen.

Always cotton or linen , nice and breathable.
Don't really know what to recommend phoenix, there are lots of companies ( websites ) where you can have a look.

It is nearly July, so why not wait for the sales?

For what it is worth, I have changed our kingsize to two singles because I was sick to death of being woken because the duvet was being yanked across at 3 AM.!
Bought them from Gingerlily. They are silk filled rather than feathers. Much better for those with allergies. Bought online. Very impressed.
Good luck.

I have been trying a top sheet under the duvet because stiff shoulders make the task of changing the duvet cover even more onerous. I don't need to do this so frequently if I use the top sheet.

Oddly enough I have recently started using a (pure cotton) top sheet after always before using just a duvet. No problem with duvet slippage and I am finding it really comfortable (have not consulted DH who appears not to have noticed the change - why invite dissent? )

Can't help with recommending sheets I'm afraid as I'm using ancient ones which have came down to me from both my mum and MIL - ex-Forces in both cases and terrifically strong cotton. I remember in my childhood my mum ironing them while listening to the radio in the afternoon, and the feel of them, starched and hard and shiny smooth; I suppose I should be at least showing them my own iron. That'll be the day.

Cotton duvet covers, but I do know someone who owned a hotel and she always put a cotton top sheet underneath the duvet. I am a restless sleeper and am constantly sticking my feet out and then bringing them back in under the duvet, ditto arms, ditto bum so I think I would end up fighting with a top sheet as well as a duvet. Mr absent is a caterpillar and rolls himself up in the duvet (are we incompatible?). If he had a top sheet as well, he'd probably strangle himself. In short, it depends on your sleeping habits.

I just use the duvet. If I make the bedding complicated DH will just wind hiself up in it all- if we had a four poster he would hang himself on the drapes!

Phoenix Why not try a trial run with an existing duvet and existing sheet before you splurge out?

I have always used just the duvet if I had a top sheet I would wake up looking somewhat mumified ?? DD uses a top sheet for DGCs beds and she says that the duvets do not slip during the night and she also says that washing is reduced.Good luck on your search have you tried JLewis bedding it is very nice.

So wise Elegran Why didn't I think of that?

I guess that the reason why I cope with a top sheet under the duvet is that I am a very 'static' sleeper - I hardly move and sleep very soundly.

Hi, had a good night with my new duvet plus cotton sheet! We do not use a sheet usually but with the lighter duvet it worked well! I am a feet out and in person too but it was OK! Not sure this helps you to make a decision though but adds to the information!

I use just the duvet with M and S pure cotton covers. M and S have 20% off all bedding just now.

One good turn gets most of the bedclothes. I just use a duvet. I've got so used to not having anything restricting my feet.

Many thanks for all the replies, I have only today bought a duvet cover and pillowcase set that met the budget and design requirements (£40, as opposed to around £170) but is the dreaded poly/cotton mix. Have also ordered M&S Coolmax fitted sheet and pillowcases, have sourced a supplier of semi-fitted sheets (i.e. top sheet elasticated at one end only), just trying to decide on poly cotton percale, or 100% cotton. (Am waiting for info re thread count)

Curtains came out more or less the right colour, currentlly dangled over the bannisters to dry!

Next on the list, a couple of new lampshades, and a big tassle!

Phoenix The last item on your makeover shopping list reminds me of an old joke. I've put it on the Laugh thread.

Large tassel?! Will you be swinging from it phoenix?