Once upon a time our grandparents had real, heavy cotton sheets that started out a bit stiff but ended up feeling like butter after they were broken in, and wore like iron. These are those sheets and pillowcases. These are well made, come roomy enough for normal shrinkage, have a slight luster and are smooth. They must be washed regularly for 2-3 mos to break them in, they get progressively softer with each round. They are VERY heavy, which means they hold their shape and stay on the pillows and look tidy and neat. If you are looking for lightweight silky sheets look elsewhere. I wash my charcoal king set on warm weekly, I wash one sheet and five pillow cases in the first load and then the other sheet and other 5 pillowcases in the second. Because the material is SO substantial they get a better agitation this way, plus each load dries in normal time. I am thrilled to have found these, and will be buying another set to break in and rotate with this set.