My daughter is heading off to Sicily for a study abroad semester and I was wondering if anyone had any idea on the measurements for a twin size bed over there? I know that everything is in metric but I know that their twin sizes are "off" in relation to American sizes. Basically, I want to know if I should buy a twin/twin XL or full size sheet set for her. Thanks for your help!

Maybe she can just buy her sheets there? Or, she can use two "top" sheets instead of a fitted and a top.

In France, I found "twin" bed sizes to be 70-80 cm, but I've never been to Sicily.

Thanks for the info. She was hoping to get a set before she went as she will not have a dryer and wanted to run them through one time(to soften them up?) before she left.

You know, I may have steared you wrong. I'm thinking the "twin" beds measured 80 to 90 cm.

Hi aggie, French twin beds are almost always 90X190, it is getting hard now to find 80 except for electric beds.(I personnally have a 2x80, put together to make a queen size electric bed, so comfy!)

Thanks, coco! Nice to know.

dutyfree - I neglected to mention the length of the beds. Since I don't have any twin beds in my house I can't measure them for you. Our California King bed is extra long at 215 cm.

Coco - do they have extra long 80 cm or 90 cm beds in Europe - probably 215 cm long??

dutyfree - if I were you, I'd just purchase two flat sheets, wash them and bring them. I understand the need to have your own clean sheets. This way, your daughter can buy some when she gets there. Pillows and pillow cases may be different there, also.

poor aggie! the maximum size is 200cm I'm afraid
The Frenchs are not supposed to be very tall!

This has been an interesting subject for me. I sleep on those twin beds in the hotels overseas for work but never thought to bring a tape measure-now I am off until I take her to Sicily!I just remember that the beds are seem to be wider than a regular american twin but I might be mistaken? I quess we could do the suggestion of two twin sheets OR two full sheets. Any other input as she leaves in a week. Thanks!

I'm not a huge fan of these types of sheets, but I know a lot of college age kids like the Jersey bedding sets. They stretch to fit the bed, are easy to wash and dry, and come in a variety of colors. You are better off buying sheets here, because most of the European bedding (which DOES fit our American beds, believe me)includes no percale or other wrinkle free material, meaning not only do you have to wash and dry the bedding, you need to iron it as well (yuck).

I've encountered a couple different size twin beds in France, but usually 90 cm (some a little bigger).

I have slept in two French dorms, though, and their beds were on the smaller side, as I recall, as you can imagine.

I think there are a few Italian residents on here who will say, but I think standard American twin sheets will probably work. I wouldn't want a flat sheet on the bottom myself, although that would make it easier to choose, if she doesn't mind. It doesn't keep the bed made very neatly, though. US twin beds are about 38 inches wide and 90 cm is a bit smaller than that (35.4&quot, so that size sheet should work on any twin size up to 100 cm or 39.4" (and probably on them if the mattress is not thick, and you can bet it won't be).

I never heard of a twin XL sheet, but a lot of American sheets are now deeper because of the thicker mattress tops people are buying now, is that it?

Christina - the "XL" just means extra-long. I don't even know how much longer, but several inches. Many college dorms here have XL twin beds (my daughter's does).

As you said, I don't think she has to worry about the dorm mattress being too thick!!

Actually my daughter is living in an private apartment instead of a dorm so that is why I do not have the information.As to the material-I agree that our wash and wear sheets are much more comfortable.When I last priced sheets over in Italy, I was astounded at the prices-should have written down the sizes then? Anyone from Italy or Sicily that might have some more information on this?

ttt

XL (extra long) beds do exist in Europe. We bought one for our son who rather tall. The bed is 2.10m and it was readily available in the store. FYI, we're in Belgium. You'll find these XL beds also in the Netherlands and probably higher up (Scandinavia) since people over there are taller than in the south.

Yes, agree with Myriam, you can find beds 2.10 meters long. They usually have to be special ordered.
If she has a 90 by 200 cm, a twin sheet set will more or less work ok. We have some American twin sets that we use on our guest beds (90 by 200 cm twins). Not an exact fit, but no problems.

The 80 by 200 cm twins are more common as parts of a 160 by 200 cm bed set (that is, two of the mattresses pushed together on one bed frame) than as singles.

As for Italian bedding being more expensive, yes, in most cases, but it's very high quality. Don't forget, however, the Ikea has invaded Italy (resistance is futile!). http://www.ikea.com/ms/it_IT/
Do the U.S. Ikeas still carry bedding in European sizes? That would be the easiest way to get inexpensive sheets that will work with Italian bedding.

I'd send two flat double/full sheets with her. She can tuck them in like people did years ago and like many hotels in Europe still do. When there she can perhaps purchase a set of lovely sheets for extra,,,and have them when she returns home. I know the quality of cotton is good. She'll be living there long enough to find a good place that has good prices...as she will with other purchases.
(teach her how to mitre a corner!!!)
&gt
Nothing would be more frustrating than taking a fitted sheet that didn't FIT! and there seems to be a lot of discrepincies in the above answers.

The twin bed sheet sets here will fit the twin beds there jus fine. In fact, I stocked up at UPIM in Sorrento in late September, buying several sets of twin sheet linens there to use on my beds at home. They have all worked perfectly (fitted/flat/pillow case). I would NOT buy twin XL as that will be too long/large.

Thanks for the tips. We leave later on today for Sicily and ended up getting her regular twin sheets to take over. There is actually a small UPIM in Ortigia where she is going so we will check there.I just wish that I was going to spend a semester in Ortigia,Sicily....................