Originally Posted by
HerMajesty
A duvet is SOMEWHAT like a comforter in that it is a rather thick cover. But, UNLIKE a comforter, it has an envelope-type, sheet-like cover that can be removed for washing, as the thick comforter would not fit in a lot of home washing machines. In the UK, it seems people use the sheet-covered duvet directly on the bed as a top sheet, requiring a major engineering feat just to change your bed sheets.
Having lived in the UK now for about 10 years, I still have to wonder why on earth people put up with them. They are SUCH a pain to put in, take out, and fiddle with. I stick with regular sheets on my bed....one top sheet, one fitted bottom sheet, blankets, and a simple bedspread. For guest rooms I use the duvets that were here when I came, and just struggle with them occasionally to wash and replace the cover. It's one area of general life where I think Americans and some other countries got something right. Duvets are poorly designed, and it would at least help if the opening was on the longer edge, or smack down the middle. Much easier to have sheets on the bed that are easy to wash and put on every week or so without all the contortions.