How is a Pillowcase Different from a Pillow Sham?

The world of bedding has become quite versatile and diversified. A lot of new bedding terms are now used frequently by the manufacturers causing confusion for people who aren’t that well versed in the language of bedding. In this article, we are addressing one such confusion which is the difference between a pillowcase and a pillow sham. Is there a difference between the two terms? Can they be used interchangeably? Well even though both linen pillowcases and pillow shams seem similar and quite identical in appearance, there're actual differences between the two. Replacing one with the other can change the outlook of your bedding by altering its feel, style, texture and design.

Both the pillow covers go over the pillow you lay your head on and both provide the user different benefits and uses. Although both the pillow covers seem similar in many ways they are not the same. They even sound the same but still many people fail to differentiate one from another. The minute difference in their designing perfectly supplements your bed linens and linen pillowcases. Over here the pragmatic types will argue about the utility of both these but wait until you read the whole article to know how these two pillow covers protect the pillowcases and serve other purposes.

Pillowcases vs Pillow Shams

A pillowcase is open from one end for easy insertion of the pillow and it usually doesn’t have a closure like a zip or button. On the other hand, pillow shams have an opening on the back side, they sometimes have a closure or some overlapping fabric to neatly secure the pillow. Pillowcases are more functional, purposeful and handy while pillow shams are a more decorative and fancier version of the pillowcases.

The main purpose of a pillowcase is to protect the pillow by providing an extra layer of cloth. It barricades the way of unnecessary external particles like bacteria, body hair, drool, dead skin cells and skin oils from seeping into the pillow. Whereas the main purpose of the pillow sham is to elevate the look of the bedding in a more decorative way. Pillow shams are a great way to spruce up your bedding by just replacing pillowcases with them. They will complement your duvet cover, bedspread and quilt as well.

Pillowcases as told earlier serve a more basic function, are simpler and less decorative, you’ll probably find them with the bed sheet. They’re often made with the same fabric as the sheet and generally have nothing decorative on them. Sometimes pillowcases have a touch of decoration on them like embroidery, hemstitching or color blocking but you can be easily identified by the same fabric of the sheet. If we talk about pillow shams then you’ll most commonly find a sham with a four sided flat piece of fabric called flange bordered around it. This is a staple design of the simplest of the shams. But much more decorative shams include embroidery on the flanges, hand embellishments, other accents and mix and match on prints and patterns.

Where the pillowcase is matched with the bed sheet, a pillow sham is matched with a more decorative and formal bedding like bed cover, comforter or quilt. A pillowcase is all about comfort, practicality and daily usage but the pillow sham is more for decoration, designing, special occasions and functions. People use pillowcases to put their head on them and feel relaxed but in the case of pillow shams, one needs to either put them behind the pillowcases or simply remove them from the bedding before sleeping.

Conclusion

Both pillowcases and pillow shams are great accessories for the bedding. Both of them are equally good, it just depends on the buyer and his needs. The best part is that both come in numerous designs, styles, colors, patterns and prints so choose as you like and never get confused between the two next time you visit a bedding aisle.