Want to make your jeans fit tighter? Maybe you accidentally purchased the wrong size, or perhaps you stretched your favorite pair of jeans to the point when they are no longer fit. Either way, it’s frustrating when you go to wear a pair of jeans, only to discover that they are too big. While wearing a belt or suspenders can prevent them from falling down, you’ll be more comfortable and confident wearing a pair of jeans that fit. The good news is that you can make your oversized jeans fit tighter in several ways.
#1) Wash Them in Hot Water
Washing your jeans in hot water causes the denim fibers to contract and shrink. Exposure to cold water can have similar effects, though to a lesser degree. If you want your jeans to fit tighter, you should get into the habit of washing them in hot water. Eventually, the denim fibers will contract to the point where your jeans fit better around your waist.
#2) Use a Steam Iron
Steam irons are typically used to smooth out wrinkles, but they can also be used to shrink oversized garments, including jeans. Place your jeans flat on an ironing board and go over the denim surface with a steam iron on the hottest setting. The hot steam, like hot water, will cause the denim fibers to contract, thereby making your jeans fit tighter. With that said, you should constantly move the hot iron around so that it doesn’t singe your jeans. Allowing the iron to sit in any single spot for too long can literally burn the denim. If this occurs, your only option may be to patch the burned area with a clean piece of denim.
#3) Place Them in the Dryer
Line-drying can leave your clothes smelling nice and clean. You can make you jeans fit tighter, however, by placing them in the clothes dryer rather than hanging them on a line to dry. Each time your jeans are dried, they’ll fit a little tighter. Check to see if your clothes dryer has a temperature control dial. If so, turn it to the hottest setting possible. The warmer the clothes dryer, the more effective it will be at shrinking your jeans. And if you want your jeans to have a fresh smell, toss a couple dryer sheets inside the drum. Dryer sheets don’t just eliminate static cling; they leave clothes smelling nice and clean.
#4) Boil Them
It may sound unusual, but many people have shrunk their oversized jeans by boiling them. This involves submerging your jeans in a large bot of water and placing them on the stove to create a roaring boil. Like the other methods previously mentioned, this exposes your jeans to heat, which causes the denim fibers to contract. If you’re going to boil your jeans, though, remember to keep a close eye on them at all times. If the water gets too hot — or if you leave your jeans submerged for too long — you could shrink them to the point where they are too small. Only boil your jeans for no more than 20 minutes at a time. If they are still too big, rinse and repeat the process until you achieve the desired size.
#5) Take a Hot Shower While Wearing Them
This may sound unusual, but wearing your jeans while you take a hot shower can make them fit tighter. Just like washing your jeans in hot water makes them shrink, so does wearing them while taking a hot shower. The difference, however, is that wearing your jeans in the shower prevents them from shrinking too much. While worn, jeans will contour to the shape of your body. This makes showering a safer and more effective way to shrink your jeans. The only downside is that wearing a pair of wet jeans can be uncomfortable, so don’t stay in the shower too long. After 15 or 20 minutes, get out of the shower and toss your jeans in the clothes dryer.
#6) Use a Hair Dryer
If you own a hair dryer, try running it across the surface of your jeans. Most hair dryers have a temperature control setting, allowing you to choose low, medium or high heat. To make an oversized pair of jeans fit tighter, you should use the high-heat setting. The hot air from a hair dryer will force the denim fibers of your jeans to contract. And unlike a steam iron, the heat generated from a hair dryer typically isn’t enough to cause burn marks. Nonetheless, you should still move the hair dryer around to ensure that heat is evenly dispersed across your jeans.
#7) Roll Up the Bottom
Some jeans fit loose because they are too long. If there are 2 or more inches of additional denim fabric dangling past your feet, you should roll up the bottom to make them fit tighter. You don’t have to necessarily sew the folded fabric in place. Hemming the bottom of your oversized jeans is always an option, but just folding them in place should suffice. So, take a few inches of fabric at the bottom of each pant leg and fold it upwards. If it’s falling down, fold it up once more to make it more secure. With the bottom of your jeans rolled up, this classic denim garment should fit tighter.
#8) Take Them to a Tailor
When all else fails, you take your oversized jeans to a professional tailor to have them adjusted. Whether they are one size too big or several sizes too big, a professional tailor can make them fit tighter by sewing new seams and/or removing excess denim fabric. The tailor will first ask you to try on the jeans. While wearing the oversized jeans, the tailor will adjust the fabric to your desired size and shape. Next, he or she will adjust your jeans so that they fit just right. Tailoring services aren’t cheap, but this can help you get a little more use out of your jeans.
