Have you ever had the experience of having your jeans hemmed to the perfect length, only to feel like they get shorter every time you wear them?
That might be because your jeans are shrinking.
In this article, we will explain in detail:
- Why do jeans shrink?
- Measures to take, accounting for potential shrinkage in jeans
And more!
Causes of Jeans Shrinkage
The causes of jeans shrinkage are:
- Shrinkage from washing
- Shrinkage due to drying speed
These are the two main reasons.
Jeans have a natural tendency to shrink when washed.
To be precise, they shrink during the process of getting wet and drying out.
The reason for this is that they are made of cotton.
This isn't limited to just jeans; any clothing made of cotton has the potential to shrink.
Furthermore, the speed at which they dry significantly affects shrinkage.
Don't you tend to reach for the dryer on rainy days when it's hard to get laundry dry, or simply when you want to take a shortcut?
Using a dryer to dry them rapidly will also cause them to shrink significantly.
Be careful when putting cotton garments in the dryer.
Shrinkage affects the waist and inseam most easily
Shrinkage in jeans affects both the inseam and the waist.
If you pull on your jeans, you might notice that, except for the waist, the length of the jeans stretches vertically more than it does horizontally.
The waist area, conversely, stretches more easily horizontally than vertically.
Since the waist area is constructed to wrap around the hips, the direction of the fabric is the same as the length.
Therefore, when jeans are washed, the inseam shrinks vertically, while the waist shrinks horizontally.
Be careful how you dry your jeans
As mentioned, how much jeans shrink depends on the drying speed.
The way you dry your jeans after washing is important, and the key is to dry them slowly in the shade.
Avoid drying in direct sunlight, as it can cause fading and damage the fabric.
For more details, we covered how to wash and dry jeans in our previous article, so please refer to that as well!
Related Article: "Is not washing your jeans a mistake? A thorough explanation of washing techniques to prevent color fading and make them last longer"
When hemming, leave them a little long to account for shrinkage
Jeans will shrink when washed.
Even if you had the length matched perfectly, it's possible that later on you'll think, "It's become too short!?"
Since you can't return them to their original state once they shrink after hemming, we recommend leaving the hem a little long just in case.
Standard jeans: a guideline of 1 inch (approx. 2.5 cm) longer
Jeans sold by fast fashion brands like Uniqlo or mass-market retailers have usually been washed several times.
However, they are still expected to shrink by about 1 inch (approx. 2.5 cm), so you should have them hemmed slightly longer.
Rigid (raw) jeans can shrink by up to 2 inches
Among all jeans, there are those called "rigid (raw) denim."
Jeans are typically starched during the manufacturing process; those that haven't been washed to remove that starch are called rigid jeans.
Rigid jeans require special care when washing because they are particularly prone to shrinking.
They are said to shrink by up to 2 inches.
The amount of shrinkage varies by manufacturer, so be sure to check with shop staff.
B-1969-XX-J Selvedge Jeans Straight Selvedge Denim
Prone to shrinking, but also prone to stretching
Hearing that something is "prone to shrinking" makes it sound like a disadvantage, doesn't it?
However, cotton material also has the benefit of being "prone to stretching."
Being "prone to stretching" means it has the characteristic of changing into a shape that suits you.
While it's true that jeans shrink when washed, they change to fit your body shape as you wear and move in them.
In other words, you could say that jeans have "excellent elasticity."
We introduced this in detail in a past article, so please read it for reference.
Related Article: "Jeans waist stretching! From how to handle it to jeans with good stretch"
Because of their elasticity, they become your very own pair of jeans
Cotton material certainly shrinks, but conversely, it also has the characteristic of stretching.
They don't shrink every single time you wash them, so as long as you consider the initial shrinkage when choosing your size and hem length, you'll be fine.
Rest assured that jeans will naturally begin to fit your body better the more you wear them.
Most BOBSON jeans are made using pre-shrunk denim fabric, finished with washing and tumble drying, so there is no need to worry about shrinkage. Furthermore, unlike poor-quality stretch denim that loses its shape quickly, our stretch denim features a core within the yarn, providing appropriate tension and a fit that conforms to your body.
We are committed to comfort, so if you are looking for that special pair, please visit the BOBSON online shop!
