Oxford v Housewife pillowcases - what's the difference?

Oxford and Housewife Pillowcases Compared | scooms

Oxford v Housewife pillowcases, the differences: The Oxford pillowcase has a fabric border around the edge, usually ranging from 5cm to 10 cm. The Housewife has no border, just a plain sewn edge.

Read in our in-depth guide and find out what the difference is between an Oxford and a Housewife pillowcase and which type of pillowcase is best for you. 

  1. What's the difference between an Oxford and a Housewife pillowcase?
  2. What sizes are Oxford and Housewife pillowcases?
  3. Oxford pillowcase v standard pillowcase?
  4. What is a continental pillowcase?
  5. What is a terse pillowcase?
  6. What is a bag style pillowcase?
  7. The Housewife pillowcase
  8. The Oxford pillowcase
  9. Oxford v Housewife pillowcase - which is best for me?
  10. And finally ... pillow fighting!

 scooms white Oxford pillowcase pairs come in 600 thread count Egyptian cotton in standard size (50cm x 75cm) and king size (50cm x 90cm).  

  

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What's the difference between between an Oxford and a Housewife pillowcase?

The Oxford pillowcase has a fabric border around the edge, around 5cm to 10 cm wide, which can add a decorative, elegant look to your bedding. The Housewife has no border, just a plain sewn edge, providing a more functional look.   

Oxford pillowcase: 

Oxford Pillowcase Showing Border Detail | scooms

 

 Housewife pillowcase: 

Housewife Pillowcase Showing Border Detail | scooms

 

 

What sizes are Oxford and Housewife pillowcases?

The Oxford and the Housewife pillowcases have the same internal dimensions although the Oxford may look bigger. Both designs come in a wide range of pillow case sizes including standard pillowcase size (50cm x 75cm), king pillowcase size (50cm x 90cm) and square pillow case size (typically 50cm x 75cm).

 

Oxford v standard pillowcase?

Sometimes we are asked what the difference is between an Oxford pillowcase and a standard pillow case. Oxford refers to the style and standard refers to the size. So you can have a standard size Oxford pillowcase. 

 

What is a continental pillowcase?

A continental pillowcase is a square pillowcase, usually 65cm x 65cm, which can come in both Housewife or Oxford design. Continental pillows are usually used either as back pillows set against the headboard or as decorative pillows to dress a bed.

 

What is a terse pillowcase?

You may occasionally hear the term 'terse pillowcase'. This is simply a pillowcase without a border; essentially the same as a Housewife pillowcase.

 

What is a bag style pillowcase?

Bag style pillowcases tend to be popular in the mass market hospitality sector as they enable housekeepers to change bedding more rapidly. This can amount to big time savings for large hotels. Less important for domestic houses! They are essentially a Housewife pillowcase with a simple opening.

 

So where do the terms 'Housewife' and 'Oxford' come from? 

 

The Housewife pillowcase

In the 19th century, pillowcases had a simple opening at one end which meant that the pillow would often fall out. So, in the 1880s, the Bolton Housewives Co-Operative created an inside flap at the end which prevented the pillow from easily falling out. In honour of the Co-Operative these pillowcases became known as ‘The Housewife’. 

 

The Oxford pillowcase

The name derives from the type of cloth from which it used to be made, Oxford cloth. This was a hard wearing cloth that was typically used to make shirts. The Oxford pillowcase was created as a more elegant and prettier alternative to the simple Housewife pillowcase. The fabric border was often scalloped or ruffled for decoration. The pillow opening is at the back which is covered by the flap giving a smart and attractive finish.

 

Oxford v Housewife - which is best for me?

Oxford and Housewife pillowcases are equally functional, so your choice will come down to style preference.

Housewife pillowcases, with their basic rectangular shape, are relatively plain and simple. While Oxford pillowcases can add a more decorative and elegant look to your bedding.  At scooms we have chosen the Oxford design for our Egyptian cotton range and the Housewife for our Linen bedding. scooms pillowcases and duvet covers come in a stylish, classic white Oxford design with single silky marrow stitch piping. Equally important is the fabric that your bed linen is made from. scooms pillowcases, duvet covers and sheets use the highest quality authentic Egyptian cotton in 600 thread count. A cotton pillowcase will be breathable, temperature regulating and sweat wicking.

We also believe that plastic packaging is unnecessary. Bed linen doesn't need to come wrapped in plastic. Our pillowcases, sheets and duvet covers all come in lovely cloth bags which you can find many other great uses for around the home! 

 

Cotton Oxford Pillowcase Bag on Vase | scooms

 

And finally ... pillow fighting!

One other thing you might want to consider is that the Oxford pillowcase is generally better for pillow fighting! The fabric border around the edge is great for holding on to whilst trying to bash your opponent! Did you know, there is even a national pillow fight day! 

  

Oxford Pillowcase Cotton Bag | scooms
  

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TOP OXFORD PILLOWCASE FAQS

What's the difference between an Oxford and a Housewife pillowcase?

The Oxford pillowcase has a fabric border around the edge, usually ranging from 5cm to 10 cm. The Housewife has no border, just a plain sewn edge.

What is the standard size pillowcase in CM?

50cm x 75cm

Which is best an Oxford or Housewife pillowcase?

Oxford and Housewife pillowcases are equally functional, so your choice will come down to style preference. Housewife pillowcases, with their basic rectangular shape, are relatively plain and simple. While Oxford pillowcases can add a more decorative and elegant look to your bedding.

What sizes are Oxford and Housewife pillowcases?

The Oxford and Housewife pillowcases have the same internal dimensions although the Oxford may look bigger. Both are available in a range of sizes including standard (50cm x 75cm), king size (50cm x 90cm) and square (typically 50cm x 50cm).

Author: Emily AttwoodPublished: 9 April 2024Last modified: 23 April 2024






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Bedding size guide

DUVET SIZE GUIDE

These are standard UK bedding measurements so if you know your mattress size, you can easily work out which duvet size you need. (Width x length.)

UK sizes Duvet size Mattress size
Single 135 x 200cm (53 x 79") 90 x 190cm (36 x 75")
Double 200 x 200cm (79 x 79") 135 x 190cm (53 x 75")
King 225 x 220cm (89 x 87") 150 x 200cm (60 x 78")
Super king 260 x 220cm (102 x 87") 180 x 200cm (72 x 78")

US/CANADA BEDDING SIZES: Approximate matches to UK sizes are US King/UK Super king, US Queen/UK King,  US Full/UK Double and US Twin/UK Single.

EUROPEAN BEDDING SIZES: Each size - Single, Double, King and Grand king - is a little larger than the UK equivalent.

Measure your mattress to see which size bedding you need: our UK v European v US mattress comparison guide.

 

DUVET TOG RATING GUIDE

Young children can overheat so if they are old enough to use a full size bed, we recommend using a single size 4.5 tog duvet.

 Tog rating Season / heat Feel
2.5 tog High summer / hot sleepers Light thermal insulation
4.5 tog Summer Lower thermal insulation
9 tog Spring & Autumn Cosy medium heat
All season 13.5 tog 4.5 tog + 9 tog Very warm
All season 11.5 tog 2.5 tog + 9 tog Warm
All season 7 tog 2.5 tog + 4.5 tog Lower warmth

 

DUVET FILL WEIGHT GUIDE

Our goose down duvets have high 700 fill power. Fill weight is measured in GSM (grams per square metre). For example view our 9 tog king size goose down duvet for more duvet details.

Fill weight (not total duvet weight)
Single All seasons - 788gsm
9 tog - 486gsm 
4.5 tog - 302gsm 
2.5 tog - 220gsm
Double All seasons - 1168gsm
9 tog - 720gsm
4.5 tog - 448gsm
2.5 tog - 320gsm
King All seasons - 1478gsm
9 tog - 911gsm
4.5 tog - 567gsm
2.5 tog - 400gsm
Super king All seasons - 1671gsm
9 tog - 1030gsm
4.5 tog - 641gsm
2.5 tog - 480gsm

 

PILLOW SIZE GUIDE

Our pillows come in two sizes and two firmness options. (Width x length.)

Standard  50 x 75cm
King 50 x 90cm

 

BED LINEN SIZE GUIDE

Our fitted sheets are deep fit, up to 40cm / 15.7" mattress depth. And our duvet covers fasten with large, easy to use buttons. (Width x length.)

Duvet cover Fitted sheet Flat sheet Pillowcase (pair)
Single 140 x 200cm 90 x 190cm 180 x 275cm
Double 200 x 200cm 135 x 190cm 230 x 275cm 50 x 75cm (Standard)
King 230 x 220cm 150 x 200cm 275 x 275cm 50 x 90cm (King)
Super king 260 x 220cm 180 x 200cm 305 x 275cm

 

MATTRESS PROTECTOR SIZE GUIDE

Our mattress protectors are deep fit, up to 40cm mattress depth. Choose the same size protector as your mattress size. (Width x length.)

Mattress protector size Mattress size
Single 90 x 190cm 90 x 190cm
Double 135 x 190cm 135 x 190cm
King 150 x 200cm 150 x 200cm
Super king 180 x 200cm 180 x 200cm 

 

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