In 1689, English diplomat, Paul Rycaut visited Hamburg in Germany where he first experienced sleeping under a duvet. He sent his friends back in England some bags of eiderdown with instructions on how to make their own duvets and he also tried to sell the duvets himself. Unfortunately for him, the British people were not keen to embrace this new concept. It was prohibitively expensive, so instead, they opted to carry on using the more affordable sheets and blankets.
Cotton towels are a popular choice because they are soft, absorbent, and resistant to frequent washing. Cotton towels give a luxurious feel and are often favored by guests for their comfort.
Do remember that the best type of material for bed sheets differs per person depending on a number of factors, including things like whether you sleep hot or cold if you're looking for an easy-to-clean material or a long-lasting material.