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Pillowcases
Pillowcases for every pillow on your bed: standard housewife, Oxford, large, continental square, bolster and V-shape. Choose from crisp 200 thread count cotton percale, smooth Egyptian cotton sateen up to 1200 thread count, bamboo, linen and Mulberry silk, so you can match the feel to how you sleep and the rest of your bedding.
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Choosing the right pillowcase
Start with the shape of your pillow, then choose the fabric. A housewife pillowcase has a plain closed edge and fits a standard UK pillow of around 50cm × 75cm. An Oxford pillowcase fits the same pillow but adds a flat border of about 5 to 8cm, which frames the pillow and gives the bed a more finished look. Continental square pillowcases fit 65cm × 65cm European pillows, which many people use to sit up against the headboard. Bolster and V-shape pillowcases fit long and supportive pillows. Large pillowcases fit oversized pillows 48cm x 90cm.
Fabric matters more on a pillowcase than anywhere else on the bed, because your face rests against it all night. Cotton percale is crisp and breathable, a good choice if you sleep warm. Egyptian cotton sateen, from 400 to 1200 thread count, has a smoother surface with less friction against skin and hair, and Mulberry silk is smoother still. Bamboo feels cool and soft. Linen is airy and softens with every wash. Brushed cotton adds warmth in winter.
A pillow protector underneath the pillowcase keeps the pillow itself clean and extends its life. Most fabrics have matching fitted sheets, flat sheets and duvet covers.
Got Pillowcase Questions? We've Got Answers
A housewife pillowcase has a plain sewn edge that fits flush around the pillow, giving a neat, understated look. An Oxford pillowcase features a flat fabric border, typically 5 - 8cm wide that frames the pillow and adds a more formal, considered finish to the bed. Both styles are available across Belledorm's range in the same fabric and thread count options, so the choice comes down to personal preference and the look you want to create.
For the softest feel against skin, choose a pillowcase with a thread count of 400 or above in a sateen weave. Sateen-woven cotton has a higher proportion of yarn on the surface, which gives it a smooth, close finish that reduces friction. Belledorm's Egyptian Cotton 600TC and 1000TC housewife and Oxford pillowcases offer this silky feel, making them a good choice for those who sleep on their side or find rougher fabrics disruptive through the night.
Egyptian cotton pillowcases are made from long-staple cotton fibres, which are longer than those used in standard cotton. Longer fibres mean fewer joins in the yarn, a smoother surface, and a fabric that holds its softness wash after wash rather than pilling over time. For pillowcases in particular, where the fabric is in direct contact with skin for hours at a time, this smoothness makes a noticeable difference to comfort and temperature regulation through the night.
A standard UK housewife pillowcase measures approximately 50cm x 75cm, designed to fit a standard UK pillow. Oxford pillowcases are the same internal size but include an additional fabric border of around 5–8cm. Continental square pillowcases measure approximately 65cm x 65cm and are designed for square European pillows. Belledorm also stocks bolster and V-shape pillowcases for orthopaedic and support pillows. Always check the individual product listing for exact dimensions.
For hot sleepers, a percale-woven cotton or bamboo-blend pillowcase tends to perform better than sateen. Percale has a plain, one-over-one-under weave that creates a crisper, more breathable fabric with a cooler feel against skin. Belledorm's 200TC cotton percale pillowcases offer this lightweight breathability at an accessible price point. Bamboo-blend options also regulate temperature well, as the bamboo fibre naturally wicks moisture away from the skin during the night.
Yes. Belledorm's pillowcases are available across the same fabric and colour ranges as their fitted sheets, flat sheets, and duvet covers, making it straightforward to create a coordinated bed. Most ranges, including the Egyptian cotton 400TC and 600TC sateen, the 200TC polycotton percale, and the Hotel Suite 540TC satin stripe, offer both housewife and Oxford pillowcases alongside matching sheet sets. The bundle options include two pillowcases as standard.
Cotton pillowcases should be washed at 40°C on a normal cotton cycle and removed from the machine promptly to reduce creasing. Tumble dry on a low heat or line dry away from direct sunlight, which can weaken fibres over time. Avoid fabric softener on high thread count sateen pillowcases, it can coat the fibres and reduce their natural softness. With each wash, quality cotton sateen typically becomes softer rather than rougher, particularly after the first few washes.
A continental square pillowcase is designed to fit a European-style square pillow, which measures approximately 65cm x 65cm. These larger pillows are commonly used as back support against a headboard or as a layered styling element alongside standard pillows on the bed. Belledorm's continental square pillowcases are available in cotton sateen and polycotton options, offering the same fabric quality as the standard range in a size suited to square European pillows.