Do your jeans bunch at the knees when worn? Well, you aren’t alone. This is a common problem reported by men and women who wear jeans on a regular basis. Bunching occurs when excess fabric forms in a particular area, such as the knees. While it typically won’t affect the comfort or structural integrity of your jeans, it will affect their appearance. If you have a pair of jeans that consistently bunch at the knees, they’ll look awkward — and probably unattractive — when worn. You can prevent your jeans from bunching at the knees, however, by following a few simple steps.
Choose a Baggier, More Relaxed Cut
The cut in which your jeans are made will affect their susceptibility to bunching at the knees. Generally speaking, skinnier cuts are more likely to bunch at the knees than baggy cuts. A pair of skinny leg jeans, for example, will probably bunch at the knees if you wear them long enough. This is because skinny leg and similar denim cuts are tight, and when you wear them, you’ll stretch the denim fabric in certain areas like the knees. If you’re worried about your jeans bunching at the knees, choose a baggier and more relaxed cut instead.
Go With Stretch Denim
Another way to prevent the dreaded knee-bunching effect is to choose jeans made of stretch denim. What is stretch denim? Basically, stretch denim consists of both regular denim as well as an elastic fabric like polyester or spandex. Stretch denim jeans still consist mostly of regular denim — usually at least 90% — but they also contain an elastic fabric mixed into the denim. Even with just a small amount of elastic fabric, stretch denim jeans live up to their namesake by featuring a more elastic construction. You can bend, pull and stretch them without causing any damage or lasting effects. Rather, stretch denim jeans simply revert back to their original shape. As a result, stretch denim jeans are less likely to bunch at the knees when worn than regular jeans.
Tuck the Bottom Into Your Boots
If you’re planning to wear boots with your jeans, consider tucking the bottom of each pant leg into the top of your boots. While this isn’t possible for all outfits, it’s a simple and effective way to prevent your jeans from bunching at the knees. With the bottom of your jeans tucked into the top of your boots, there’s less excess and loose fabric at the knees. Therefore, your jeans shouldn’t bunch at the knees. Just remember to choose boots that match and flow cohesively with your jeans. If your boots and jeans clash with each other, you’ll struggle to create an attractive outfit.
Get the Right Size
Perhaps the most effective way to prevent jeans from bunching at the knees is to get the right size. Assuming your jeans fit properly, they shouldn’t bunch at the knees. Bunching usually only occurs with oversized jeans. Even if your jeans are only one size too big, that’s still a substantial amount of excess fabric. And when you wear the jeans, that excess fabric will bunch up rather than rest against your body. Jeans can bunch up in any area, though this phenomenon typically occurs in the knees.
You can get a pair of jeans in the perfect size by shopping here at MakeYourOwnJeans. We don’t just sell jeans in basic sizes. Through our online store, you can purchase jeans in a specific size based on your body measurements. By purchasing jeans in the right size, you shouldn’t experience bunching at the knees.
Accessorize With a Belt
How will a belt prevent your jeans from bunching at the knees exactly? If you don’t wear a belt, your jeans may fall down from your waistline. When this occurs, there’s going to more denim fabric bunched up at the knees.
Wash in Cold Water
When washing your jeans, use cold water. We’ve talked about this before on our blog, but it’s worth mentioning again that exposure to hot water can cause jeans, along with other garments, to shrink. Heat damages most organic fabrics, causing garments to shrink to a smaller size. Unfortunately, jeans are no exception, and if you continuously wash your jeans in hot water, they’ll fit tighter than they used to. Of course, tight-fitting jeans are more likely to stretch at the knees, resulting in some of the denim fabric bunching.
Avoid Distressed Denim
Although they are uniquely stylish, distressed denim jeans often succumb to bunching at the knees. Distressed denim jeans are characterized by patches of wear and tear, which are usually found around the knees. Because the denim fabric is already worn here, it’s not uncommon for it to stretch. As the denim fabric stretches around the knees, bunching tends to occur.
Choose High-Quality Jeans
The quality of your jeans will affect whether or not they bunch at the knees when worn. Don’t try to save a few bucks by choosing cheap, low-quality jeans. Instead, spend the extra money on a pair of premium, well-made jeans. Not only will they fit better and feel more comfortable; they also shouldn’t bunch at the knees. High-quality jeans are designed with premium denim fabric and expert craftsmanship, so they typically suffer from bunching at the knees (or elsewhere).
Follow Manufacturer’s Instructions
Regardless of what cut and style jeans you choose, be sure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions when cleaning them. Different manufacturers use different production techniques to make their jeans. As a result, some brands of jeans require different steps to clean, dry and maintain them. If you don’t follow the manufacturer’s instructions, you may inadvertently stretch your jeans at the knees.
You can find instructions from the manufacturer by looking for the care label inside the waistband of your jeans. On this tag, you’ll see a list of steps to clean and care for your jeans, which are recommended by the manufacturer.
