Sleepopolis has an excellent, in-depth summarization of the differences between, and pros and cons of, sheets made of cotton and sateen. Here's a summary, if you don't want to read the entire thing:
Cotton
Crisp — Think of a white-button-down dress shirt.
Cool — Percale sheets are typically better suited for the warmer months.
Lightweight — They are usually lighter in weight than sateen sheets.
Breathable — Ideal for warm sleepers.
Matte — Percale sheets are not shiny.
Durable — Percale sheets are more resistant to pilling.
Percale
Sheen — Sateen sheets have a lustrous sheen.
Drape — They lie heavier on the body, outlining your shape.
Silky — More creamy-smooth like silk or satin.
Heavy — A sateen weave produces a thicker sheet.
More wrinkle-resistant — Less wrinkly than percale.
Warm — This weave is less breathable, better for cool climate.
Comparison
The Look — Percale is characterized by a matte finish, while sateen offers a shiny, glossier appearance.
The Feel — Percale fabric has a cool, crisp handfeel, and sateen fabric feels silky and smooth.
The Weight — Percale is lighter and more breathable than sateen; sateen weaves produce a thicker sheet that lies heavier on the body.
The Warmth — Percale bedding tends to sleep cooler than sateen bedding.
The Wrinkles — Sateen woven fabric is generally more resistant to wrinkles, while percale woven fabric is more prone to wrinkles.
The Washing — Typically, both sateen and percale woven fabrics are machine washable and dryable.
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