When you buy a pair of new jeans, you may expect them to retain their original size and shape indefinitely. Jeans, however, can stretch out. The more you wear a pair of new jeans, the greater the risk of them stretching out. It’s frustrating when you discover that your jeans are no longer the same size and shape. Even if they are just one size too big, they won’t offer the same flattering appearance when worn. By understanding why new jeans stretch out, though, you can prevent it from happening.
Exposure to Heat
Exposure to heat can cause new jeans to stretch out. Going back to the basics of physics, heat causes things to expand. When exposed to heat, your jeans will expand, thus stretching out.
Common sources of heat to which new jeans may be exposed include water from the washing machine, air from the clothes dryer, an iron and a garment steamer. You can still use these appliances to clean and care for new jeans, but consider turning down the heat on them. Using a lower heat setting will protect your new jeans from stretching out.
Leaving the Fly Fastened When Putting on and Taking Off
You may accidentally stretch out your new jeans if you leave the fly fastened when putting them on and taking them off. All jeans have a fly. The fly is a vertical band on the front that features a set of buttons or a zipper and buttons. With the fly fastened, the waistline of the jeans will be slimmer. As a result, putting the jeans on or taking them off may stretch them out. To preserve the waistline of your new jeans — and to prevent them from stretching out — always unfasten the fly when putting them on and taking them off.
Plain Denim Construction
Jeans made of plain denim are more likely to stretch out than those made of stretch jeans. Plain denim, of course, consists of 100% cotton. Denim is made of cotton with the weft going under at least two of the warp threads. The end result is diagonal ribbing that’s synonymous with denim. In addition to plain denim, however, there’s stretch denim. Contrary to popular belief, jeans made of stretch denim are able to retain their original size and shape better than those made of plain denim.
Jeans made of stretch denim are simply known as stretch denim. Stretch denim is a hybrid fabric consisting of plain denim and an elastic fabric. The elastic fabric may consist of polyester, or it may consist of lycra. Regardless, the elastic fabric will allow stretch jeans to revert back to their original size and shape when stretched.
Reasons to consider stretch jeans instead of plain denim jeans include the following:
- Protection from stretching out
- More forgiving in the waistline
- Softer and more comfortable texture
- Highly versatile and easy to incorporate into outfits
- Form-fitting style that contours to the shape of your body
- Available in countless colors
Overloading the Washing Machine
Don’t make the mistake of overloading the washing machine when washing your new jeans. Most washing machines can accommodate relatively large loads consisting of over a dozen garments. If you fill the washing machine with too many garments, however, some of them may get caught in the agitator.
Most top-loading washing machines have a spiral pole in the center. Known as an agitator, it’s designed to move the garments and water around. Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon for garments to get caught on the agitator. If your new jeans happen to get caught on the agitator, they may stretch out.
Low-Quality Jeans
It shouldn’t come as a surprise to learn that low-quality jeans are more likely to stretch out than high-quality jeans. The quality of jeans can vary. Some jeans are made of higher-quality denim, as well craftsmanship, than others. While you can expect to pay more for them, it’s a smart investment that will pay off in the form of longer-lasting, better-looking jeans.
After wearing a pair of new low-quality jeans, you may notice that they no longer fit. Low-quality jeans tend to stretch out when worn. And assuming they are made of plain denim — as opposed to stretch denim — they won’t revert back to their original size and shape.
Layering With Other Trousers
Creating a layered outfit with jeans and at least one other pair of trousers may result in your jeans stretching out. With another pair of trousers, your jeans won’t rest directly against your body. Rather, the other trousers will create padding between them and your body. As a result, your jeans may stretch out. If you’re going to wear jeans in a layered outfit, make sure the other trousers are thin. Thick trousers are particularly problematic, as they may cause your jeans to stretch out.
Not Following the Manufacturer’s Instructions
Failure to follow the manufacturer’s instructions may result in your new jeans stretching out. Different jeans require different steps to wash, dry and maintain. The manufacturer will typically include this information on a label. Known as the care tag, you can usually find this label inside the waistband.
After buying a pair of new jeans, take a moment to familiarize yourself with the care tag. The care tag will reveal instructions from the manufacturer. You can read it to learn the best way to wash, dry and maintain the jeans. Because care tags are created by the manufacturer, it’s a good idea to follow them. Ignoring the care tag may lead you down the wrong path in which your jeans stretch out or succumb to other forms of damage.
Don’t let your new jeans stretch out. To prevent this from occurring, consider the tips outlined above. You can protect new jeans from stretching out by keeping them away from heat, unfastening the fly when putting them on and taking them off, choosing stretch jeans, washing them in smaller loads, ensuring they are high-quality jeans, keeping them out of layered outfits and by following the instructions on the care tag.
