What is Sateen? And How Does It Compare?

Sateen is a type of weave and not an actual fabric. Generally, it’s made from cotton yarns by weaving three or four threads over one thread.

The final product has the drape and sheen of satin, but is typically more durable.

Feeling confused? The truth is that few consumers know the difference between sateen, satin, percale, and other weaves. But that’s why we’re here. Read on to learn more about sateen and how it compares to other weave types.

In This Guide
What is Sateen? | How is Sateen Used? | Sateen vs. Satin | Sateen vs. Egyptian Cotton | Are Sateen Sheets Worth It? | Is Sateen A Good Choice For Sheets? | Citations

What Is Sateen?

The term “sateen” describes a weave pattern featuring three or more warp threads that go over one weft thread. 

This material has been around since the mid-1800s. It’s prized for its smooth, silk-like feel and lustrous sheen. It can be just as luxurious as satin, but without the high price tag. 

Premium sateen sheets and other bedding items are typically made from cotton. Manufacturers use short-staple spun yarns consisting of fibers with a staple length of 2.5″ or less. The fibers are tightly woven, resulting in a high thread count. 

Depending on the brand, sateen products can be made from rayon, nylon, silk, or cotton blends. The material wrinkles less than satin and may not require ironing. Plus, it’s machine-washable and can be dyed or bleached. 

Sateen isn’t cheap, but it often has a lower price than satin. Many consumers choose it over other fabrics for its low maintenance and luxurious feel. Note that sateen sheets tend to retain heat, which makes them suitable for cold sleepers. 

How Is Sateen Used? 

Nowadays, bedding stores offer a wide range of sateen products, from sheets and pillowcases to duvet covers. However, this material has many other uses across various industries. 

For example, you can buy dresses, blouses, or even jackets made from sateen. Some stores also sell sateen robes, pajamas, and women’s lingerie. The garments made from this fabric are suitable for both everyday wear and special occasions. 

Sateen is a popular choice for upholstery and curtains, too.

It may also be used for:

• Evening gowns
• Nightgowns
• Athletic shorts
• Home decor items
• Cushion covers
• Scarves and other fashion accessories

This fabric weave comes in different weights and can be easily dyed, which allows manufacturers to use it in hundreds of products. It’s the closest thing you can get to satin, but at a lower cost.

Sateen vs. Satin

Sateen and satin share many similarities, including their silky feel and luxurious, shiny look. These materials have the same weave pattern — four threads over and one thread under. 

The main difference between the two is the type of fiber used.

Satin sheets, dresses, and other products are made with filament fibers, such as silk or nylon.

Sateen, on the other hand, is made from staple fibers that are a few inches long. Filament fibers can be of any length. 

With that being said, let’s see other key differences between sateen and satin:

Feature	Sateen	Satin
Material	Typically cotton or cotton blends	Commonly polyester, silk, or nylon
Weave	Satin-style weave using short, spun yarns	Satin weave, typically using long, filament yarns
Feel	Soft, smooth, and buttery	Silky, slick, and slippery
Appearance	Subtle sheen	Glossy, shiny finish
Breathability	Generally good, especially with cotton	Varies by fiber; polyester is less breathable
Temperature	Slightly warmer feel than cotton percale	Varies; polyester may retain more heat
Durability	Generally durable; may pill or snag	Varies by fiber; may snag easily
Wrinkle Resistance	Typically resists wrinkles better than percale	Wrinkles more easily and is difficult to iron
Care	Can be dyed, bleached, or machine-washed	Generally hand wash or dry clean only
Price	Typically mid-range to premium	Ranges from inexpensive polyester to luxury silk
Common Uses	Sheets, duvet covers, and pillowcases	Pillowcases, clothing, and some sheets
Best For	Sleepers who want soft, cozy everyday bedding	Sleepers who prefer a sleek, silky texture

Sateen vs. Egyptian Cotton

Both sateen and Egyptian cotton sheets offer a luxurious feel and often cost more than regular sheets. But it’s not exactly comparing apples to apples.

The primary difference here comes down to weaves vs. fibers. And that single difference is a big one.

Weaves vs. Fibers

• Sateen is a weave—a pattern in which individual fibers are folded in order to create a fabric or textile. Other types of weaves include plain, twill, or herringbone.
• Egyptian cotton is a fiber—one of the strands which makes up the larger weave. Other types of fibers include polyester, microfiber, rayon, or linen.

By definition, you could have an Egyptian cotton sateen, where Egyptian cotton fibers are woven into a sateen weave pattern. In fact, many of the best sateens are made from Egyptian cotton and designed with this composition.

The Takeaway Point: Any fiber can be woven in any weave.

More often than not, when people are talking about traditional Egyptian cotton, they are referring to Egyptian cotton textiles woven into a percale weave, not a sateen weave.

Generally, percale weave (common with Egyptian cotton) produces strong, durable textiles with a matte finish. With proper care, it can last for years. 

On the other hand, the sateen weave tends to produce fabrics with a silky feel and luxurious softness.

Here is a larger table that fully compares Sateen vs. Egyptian cotton:

Feature	Sateen	Egyptian Cotton
Material	Typically cotton or cotton blends	Cotton grown in Egypt
Weave	Satin-style weave	Commonly percale or sateen
Feel	Silky, buttery, and smooth	Soft and smooth; varies by weave
Appearance	Subtle sheen with a luxurious finish	Matte or slightly lustrous, depending on weave
Breathability	Generally good	Generally excellent
Temperature	Typically warmer than percale	Varies by weave; percale tends to sleep cooler
Durability	Generally durable but can snag or pill	High-quality long-staple varieties are very durable
Wrinkle Resistance	Generally resists wrinkles better than percale	Varies by weave; percale wrinkles more easily
Care	Usually machine washable	Usually machine washable
Price	Typically mid-range to premium	Typically mid-range to luxury
Common Uses	Sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers	Sheets, pillowcases, and duvet covers
Best For	Sleepers who prefer smooth, silky bedding	Sleepers who prioritize quality cotton and a choice of textures

Are Sateen Sheets Worth It?

Sateen sheets cost anywhere between $50 and $200 or higher, depending on their size, brand, quality, and thread count. This brings up the question: Is sateen worth the price?

The answer will depend on what you’re looking for. But if you score a high-quality sateen product, then the benefits are numerous.

Top Features of Sateen

• Silky, soft, and breathable 
• Drapes well
• Has a glossy finish
• Doesn’t always require ironing
• Wrinkles less than other bedding materials
• Relatively easy to clean and maintain
• Tends to resist mildew
• Feels warm and cozy
• Premium sateen sheets can last three years or longer

Our advice is to opt for quality sateen sheets, duvet covers, or whatever products you need. Cheap sateen sheets can lose their luster and fade in color after just a few washes. 

Potential Drawbacks of Sateen Sheets

That said, all bedding materials have potential drawbacks, and sateen is no different. Here are a few of the biggest disadvantages of sateen. It has a higher price and high quality, but it is not immune to a couple of noted “cons”.

Disadvantages of Sateen

• Trapped heat: This material drapes closely to the body and traps heat, causing discomfort during warm summer nights. Generally, it’s not the best choice for hot sleepers. 
• Pills and snags: It also tends to pill and snag due to its silky texture. Many consumers who use sateen sheets have a hard time keeping them in place at night. This problem may result in wrinkling. 
• Chemical finish: Some manufacturers use chemicals to enhance its color and finish. For this reason, its shine may fade over time. 
• Less breathable: Sateen is less breathable than cotton and may increase sweating. 
• May cause allergic reactions: Sateen sheets that contain synthetic fibers are more likely to cause allergic reactions than cotton, linen, or silk.

Is Sateen a Good Choice for Sheets?

High-quality sateen can be a good choice for bed sheets. Its subtle sheen and silky finish offer a luxurious feel. 

This material is suitable for cold sleepers, as it tends to be warmer and heavier than cotton. On top of that, it’s machine-washable and may not require ironing. 

We hope we’ve answered your question, “what is sateen?” Now that you know what to expect, go ahead and explore your options. If you’re not sure what to choose, see our guide to microfiber sheets and our guide on thread count (spoiler: more isn’t always better).

Citations

• The difference between Satin and Sateen. Dutch Label Shop. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://www.dutchlabelshop.com/en_ca/blog/difference-satin-sateen/.
• Gossypium barbadense (PROTA). Gossypium barbadense (PROTA) – PlantUse English. (n.d.). Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://uses.plantnet-project.org/en/Gossypium_barbadense_(PROTA).
• MediLexicon International. (n.d.). Polyester allergy: Symptoms, treatment, and prevention. Medical News Today. Retrieved October 19, 2021, from https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/323566.