Jeans and stretch - what's the magic answer?

Ola

How much spandex is too much? How much is not enough? What size should I get to allow for stretching and shrinking without getting the baggy butt?

The current jeans I have stretched enough in the waist/hips that I need to wear a belt or I'm constantly pulling them up (they have 98% cotton and 2% spandex). This weekend I got a pair of jeans (different brand than my current ones) with a 33 waist, which are a bit tight and slightly squishing me when I sit down. I also tried on the 32 waist but they were definitely too tight, although I was able to do them up. These are 99% cotton (I believe) and 1% spandex.

Were the "slightly squishing" jeans the right choice, or should I have gone with the "barely done up" ones?

15 years ago

Dressing

6 replies

Latest reply was from

Lannie

Active Member

I'm not even sure if spandex percentage is a good measure to go by. For instance, I have a pair which are 98% denim, 2% spandex, and another pair only 1% spandex, but the 1% feels much stretchier, and the 2% feels rather stiff. I think it probably depends on the quality and type of denim it's being combined with (the 1% spandex pair are cheaper, and the denim isn't as good quality). Honestly, I'm still trying to figure out how to get jeans that will continue to fit right after the first wear. I throw the 1% spandex pair in the dryer to get them to avoid bagging, but all my other jeans are hang to dry only (despite whatever the washing instructions say). It's likely best to go with jeans that are a little snug when you first try them on, but I wouldn't go with a pair you can barely do up. Beware the jeans that fit just right in the dressing room... more than once I've found that's the only time they fit right. Sigh.

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

I'm guessing the slightly squishing ones are right but the truth is only time will tell. It's true that the stretchiness can depend on the brand despite the spandex content . And stiffer feel does not mean it won't grow. You just have to get experience with the various brands. I agree with Lannie-- if you can just barely get them on with a lot of dancing around and the zipper just barely closes, they're too small. On the other hand, the size you choose should feel tight when you try them on.

15 years ago

Ola

Active Member

Yeah, it figures that there's no magic answer. But a girl can hope, right?

I haven't tried this brand before, so I guess we will see how they do. I'm almost ready to cut the tags off, almost... It feels so final!

Can I generalize that jeans with over 2% spandex tend to stretch out even more? Or not really?

15 years ago

Patience

Veteran

Angie has said to stay away from more than 2% spandex and I think that is the safe thing to do. Also before you cut the tags you might wear them around the house a while including sitting in them. That should give you a decent idea about how they're going to wear.

15 years ago

Maya

Veteran

I am wondering what the difference is between lycra spandex, regular spandex, and elastine...if any. My two favorite jeans are 2% Lycra. My matchsticks have 2% elastine but they feel quite stiff. My super skinny H&M jeans are 2% spandex and they can feel snug but I think that has more to do with the fact that they ARE super skinny.

It might depend on how curvy you are too. When I was more rectangular I had a pair of 100% cotton 7FAM jeans that I would wear all the time. They would be a little stiff and restricting at first, but they would relax and loosen up after a few minutes. After a while I had to sell them on ebay because they were feeling too tight for comfort, and now I don't think I could even hope to get them over my butt.

15 years ago

Anonymous

I think it's definately a matter of getting to know your brand. I did learn the hard way by buying 2 pair of nice jeans that felt just right in the dressing room but then stretched out to baggy butt within a few hours. The most unflattering thing I can think of right now! Yuk. I had to go back and get the same jeans in a smaller size. They are 2% polyurethane of all things. These are David Khann. Good jeans and if you get them at Nordstrom's and the sales girl gives you the OK that they are the right size and then they stretch out too much they want you to bring them back and exchange them. I love their customer service so I keep going back.

15 years ago

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