While the jury may still be out on whether skinny jeans really are dead, we’re not exactly in a rush to return to the jeggings-and-a-peplum-top outfits of youth. Yet, does anyone else find their favourite, distinctly non-skinny jeans can get a little too baggy after a while?
You know the feeling: you've worn your jeans for a while without washing them (FYI, the denim doyennes are clear that you should avoid washing your jeans too often) and they begin erring on the side of slouchy that they certainly didn't before. It's little wonder then that, according to Google Trends, searches for 'how to shrink jeans' have spiked by 100% in the last year alone.
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We're all about no-stretch denim over here (it's better for the environment, has more longevity, and maintains a better shape), but after enough wear, our 'perfectly worn' jeans can morph into misshapen and baggy.
Even the intentionally baggiest of varieties, an increasing favourite among the likes of Gigi Hadid and Camille Charriere, can become misshapen and a little sad-looking if some care isn’t taken.
Which is precisely why we figured that it was high-time we provided a go-to guide for how to shrink jeans back to their original shape, which will leave them looking as fresh as they did when you first bought them. And who better to speak to on the matter than Levi's VP Of Women's Design Jill Guenza? Frankly nobody. Here are her tips and tricks.
Why would someone want to shrink their jeans?
'Most denim fabrics have a bit of give to them, even if there aren’t any stretch fibres woven into the denim. With multiple wears, jeans may start to loosen up, especially in the waist, hips, and knees. Shrinking jeans can snap them back into shape, no matter their age,' Guenza tells ELLE UK.
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What is important to know before you shrink your jeans?
'Water and heat cause the fibres in your jeans to contract so it’s a bit tricky to know exactly how much your jeans will shrink. Additionally, washing your jeans in hot temperatures can cause your denim colour to fade, so if you’d like to maintain the original wash of your jeans, turn them inside out when washing.'
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What is the best way to shrink your jeans?
- 'One of the easiest ways to shrink jeans is to turn them inside out, wash them in warm water, and air dry. We recommend air drying as an environmentally friendly alternative to placing them in a dryer.
- 'For a more tailored fit, you can put your jeans on and jump in the bath. Your jeans will then mould to your body while they are drying. This is not the most comfortable but a great way to achieve a personalised fit.
- 'Additionally, you can always visit a tailor. Levi's have Tailor Shops in many of our stores and they can alter your jeans to your exact liking.'
How do you keep your jeans shrunken?
'Hand wash in cold water with no soap and air dry in between proper washes in a washing machine.'
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Daisy Murray is the Digital Fashion Editor at ELLE UK, spotlighting emerging designers, sustainable shopping, and celebrity style. Since joining in 2016 as an editorial intern, Daisy has run the gamut of fashion journalism - interviewing Molly Goddard backstage at London Fashion Week, investigating the power of androgynous dressing and celebrating the joys of vintage shopping.
