fashion, style A stack of jeans, Image: Unsplash
Jeans tend to loosen up because they’re made from natural fibers that stretch and contract as you move. This can make them feel bigger than when you first tried them on, and over time, they might not look as sharp, hanging differently and creating a less flattering fit.
To nail the perfect pair of jeans, you don’t need to splash out on the priciest brands (you can find top-quality denim for under $200). It’s all about picking the right style, size, and knowing how to care for them.
Proper care includes knowing how to wash, store, and even shrink your jeans if they start to feel too loose. Here’s how you can do it without damaging them:
Sure, you can take your jeans to a tailor to adjust the fit, but it’s best to try them on before buying to ensure they’re the right size. Jeans shouldn’t be overly tight, but if they don’t have much stretch, they should fit snugly since they’ll naturally loosen over time.
Denim shrinks when exposed to heat, so toss your loose jeans in the washing machine on a hot water setting (not boiling).
After washing, throw them in the dryer on high heat until they’re completely dry. This combo of heat and humidity will help the fibers shrink back to their original size.
Just remember, frequent washing can wear out your jeans. Levi's suggests washing them every 10 wears to extend their lifespan.
If you want to avoid using the washing machine, you can soak your jeans in a bucket of hot water for about 30 minutes. After soaking, put them on while they’re still damp, so they dry to fit your body perfectly, preventing excessive shrinkage.
For a quick fix on specific areas, you can also iron your jeans. Just dampen the area you want to shrink, then run an iron over it until it’s dry. This method is great for small adjustments, but avoid using it on larger areas to prevent uneven shrinking.
With these tips, you can keep your jeans looking sharp and fitting just right, all without spending extra cash.
Related Topics: