Pillowcase sizing is the one part of buying bedding where two countries use the same word for two different things. “Standard” means one size in the United States and another in Europe. Order the wrong silk pillowcase and the case either strains at the seams or slides around the pillow all night.
Here is what Maison Veloura sizes are, what they correspond to where you live, and how to tell which one you need before you order.
The short answer
We sell two 19 momme mulberry silk pillowcases:
50×70 — the rectangular European size. This is the pillowcase for a typical rectangular pillow in France, the UK and much of Europe.
65×65 — the square French sleeping pillow, the oreiller that sits on many French beds.
Measure the pillow itself. Then pick 50×70 or 65×65. We do not sell 50×50, 75×50, US King, or a separate “US Standard” case.
The size chart
|
Name |
Centimetres |
Inches |
What we sell |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Our rectangular size |
50×70 |
20×28 |
Yes |
|
UK / EU rectangular (often listed 50×75) |
50×75 |
20×30 |
Close — 50×70 is the usual French rectangle |
|
US Queen |
51×76 |
20×30 |
Close — 50×70 is a little shorter |
|
US Standard |
51×66 |
20×26 |
50×70 will be roomy |
|
Our square size |
65×65 |
26×26 |
Yes — the French sleeping square |
|
European decorative square |
50×50 |
20×20 |
No |
|
US King |
51×91 |
20×36 |
No |
The important lines are the ones we actually cut: 50×70 and 65×65, both in 19 momme mulberry silk, silk on both sides, hidden zip.
Why the names don’t match
The confusion is historical rather than logical. American bedding grew around mattress names: a Queen pillow was sold beside a Queen bed. European sizing grew around the pillow itself, and the pillow shapes were different to begin with. France in particular has long used the square oreiller as the sleeping pillow, with the rectangle as the more recent import.
The result is that “Standard” is not a standard at all. It is a national convention, and there are at least two of them. That is why we print centimetres on the product page, not the word Standard.
How to measure your pillow
Do not measure your current pillowcase. Cases are cut with ease built in, so measuring one tells you about the case, not the pillow inside it.
Lay the pillow flat, without compressing it, and measure edge to edge across the widest points. Then add roughly 2 to 5 cm to each dimension to get the case size you want. That margin lets the pillow sit inside without straining the seams, which is where pillowcases usually fail first.
If the pillow is a rectangle around 45–50 cm on the short side and 65–70 cm on the long side, 50×70 is the one. If it is a square around 60–65 cm, 65×65 is the one.
What happens if the size is slightly off
A case that is a little too large is a minor issue. The fabric gathers at the closed end, and the pillow shifts a little inside. With silk this is more noticeable than with cotton, because silk slides, so a loose case moves more than a loose percale one would.
A case that is too small is a real problem. The pillow compresses at the corners and the seams take constant tension every night. Momme is the weight of the silk, and ours is 19 momme: heavy enough to take daily use, but no fabric survives being permanently stretched. Seams are where an undersized pillowcase fails, and it fails early.
When in doubt, size up — or measure again.
The closure, and why it matters for sizing
Our silk pillowcases close with a hidden zip set into the side seam. The pillow goes in, the zip closes, and the case stays put through the night. Nothing is visible from the outside.
A zip is more forgiving of an imperfect fit than an envelope flap: it holds a slightly loose pillow in place instead of letting it wander. What it will not do is rescue a case that is genuinely too small, because the tension still lands on the seams.
Close the zip before washing, and wash the pillowcase in a mesh bag, separately from anything with hooks or open zips. The full routine is in our silk care guide.
Frequently asked questions
Will a 50×70 silk pillowcase fit a US Standard pillow?
Yes, but loosely. US Standard is about 51×66 cm. Our 50×70 case is longer. The case will go on; there will be some fabric gathered at the end.
Is 50×70 the same as a US Queen?
Almost, not exactly. US Queen is about 51×76 cm. Ours is 50×70 cm — the same short side, about 6 cm shorter on the long side. Many Queen pillows still sit well in it. If your Queen pillow is very full, measure it.
What size do I need for a French bed?
If you sleep on a square oreiller, take 65×65. If you sleep on a rectangular pillow, take 50×70. That is the whole French choice. We make both.
Can I put two pillowcases on one pillow?
You can. The outer case will slide on the inner one. Two pillowcases in rotation — one on the bed, one clean — works better. We walk through the count in how many silk pillowcases you need.
Does the size affect the price?
Both sizes are the same price. The 50×70 and the 65×65 are sold as separate items, same 19 momme mulberry silk.
How many colours?
Five: Pearl White, Sand Beige, Blush Pink, Obsidian Black, Platinum Silver. Same silk, same two sizes. How to choose a shade.
Getting the size right is most of getting the pillowcase right. Our silk pillowcases are 19 momme mulberry silk in 50×70 and 65×65, five shades, with free worldwide shipping.
