Need opinions on which 100% cotton percale sheets to buy

I’m a university student and I’m moving to a place I’ll be living for 8 months (different sized bed than mine at home). It’s going to be summer, with no AC and I hate being hot. This is why I’m choosing cotton percale — my understanding is this material is best for breathability & staying cool. I’m also on a budget, I am not buying expensive sheets, especially for only 8 months. (Side note I’m Canadian/in Canada)

Therefore, I’ve narrowed my options down to the following two:

1. 300 thread count, 100% cotton percale sheet from the brand Hometrends at Walmart. Comes in only white, grey, black. $25 for just the fitted sheet.

2. 144 thread count, 100% cotton percale sheet from JYSK. Comes in many colours, including ones that look great / match nicely with my blanket I have. $20 for just the fitted sheet.

My dilemma is I want to have a pretty looking bed — I want the nice match, not the boring white. But the 144 thread count is very low, I am concerned it would be uncomfortable or too scratchy or something like that. My parents say sheets should be at least 200.

So im looking for others opinions: would you choose boring + higher TC or pretty + lower TC and why?