When it comes to distinguishing standard sheets from luxury linens, forget thread count and pay attention to textile type.

“Quality linens have a lot more to do with fibers than thread count,” said Mia Worrell, co-owner of Timothy Paul Bedding + Home on 14th Street in Washington. “You can have a sheet with a thread count of 1,000 made from short fibers as opposed to a 400-thread-count sheet that would be of better quality.”