These two varieties of cotton are valued for their long staples, or fibers. Long staples are desirable because they are less likely to pill, hold the structure of the weave better, and overall lead to a softer, more durable sheet. If a fabric is made with short staple cotton, it is common for the staples to start to poke out over time, leading to a decrease in the softness and comfort.

Make sure you understand the distinction between a duvet and a duvet cover. It might not be easy to distinguish between the two primary components of a duvet set while shopping without prior knowledge. Keep in mind that the duvet is the fluffy blanket contained within the set, and the duvet cover is the warm shell surrounding the duvet. For a complete duvet set, you'll need both.