Do you accomodate for wash shrink or stretch

Patty

What do you buy and size up or down to allow for stretch or shrink (or would this be called relax?) after wash? Do you count on shrink or stretch to fix a fit??

I used to buy larger in jeans to allow for shrink-I hate flod pants--but after being here I learned about bag out (never thought or even noticed it as bad before but get it now) and have sized down in waist and hope they have long lengths still.
T-shirts seem bad for this even if hung to dry--buy up a size we (family member) can wear them longer.

14 years ago

Shopping

11 replies

Latest reply was from Elly

sarah

Veteran

I buy my jeans way tighter than I used to, and I buy everything else to fit. I do preshrink all of my pants before hemming. But I've gotten burned a bit by washing and line-drying my BR pants - they've shrunk in length way more than I'd expected (they're supposed to be dry cleaned). In fact, I just ordered a new pair of Martins in the regular length (I usually wear petites) to start over, after letting out the hems on my current pair of Martins once already. I now hem my pants much longer than I used to.

14 years ago

lyn*

(website)

Veteran

I also buy everything to fit except jeans - I buy jeans a smidgen too snug and after wearing for 15 min or so; they fit pretty nice.

14 years ago

Anonymous

I buy pants with a bit of wiggle room (literally, lol) to accommodate the 10lbs I lose, gain, lose, gain

I also hang most pants to dry and hem longer than I ever used to..tops always buy to fit, a minimizer bra can help a shirt fit better if you shrink it, for us big chested girls

14 years ago

Ana

(website)

Veteran

I only buy items that fit well to begin with or that I plan to have tailored. I air dry or dry clean most items in my wardrobe anyway, so shrinkage isn't something I take into consideration. Also, I've never had any luck trying to shrink something that is too big in the dryer. It usually just ends up kind of misshapen (or shrunken in places I didn't want it to be).

14 years ago

(website)

Veteran

I am right between sizes in tops and usually buy the bigger size in knits, since they do tend to shrink, especially rayon blends. The rest I buy to size when I can. I don't have the 'bag out' trouble with jeans, but I don't wear jeggings and other very stretchy pants so that might be why. I pretty much wash and wear my wardrobe. I try and remember to pull some things so they don't go in the dryer, but don't always catch them. Twice a year I dryclean maybe.

14 years ago

modgrl

(website)

Veteran

I size down a bit in jeans. They will relax and stretch out to your shape. You want them to be fitted on your rear

14 years ago

Anonymous

I'm still learning. I seem to either get jeans that look great (but are too tight for comfort and therefore never get worn) or feel great (and look baggy after the first wearing). Still trying to find the happy medium.
For years I bought all my clothes at thrift stores, so someone had already shrunk them! Now, sometimes I forget to take that into account with knit tops. One of my new ones has shrunk in length and now looks better with skirts than pants. :/

14 years ago

Amy

(website)

Veteran

Absolutely! I size down in stretchy pants like jeans with lycra, altthough I try to find pants that are too long. I can hem them at the proper length after a few washes and wears. Depending on how garments are constructed, they tend to shrink more in length than width.

14 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

I'm still learning, too, Patty.

I get the advice to buy snug on jeans...but it doesn't always entirely work for me. I think I am somewhat between sizes, so one size is not do-uppable, but the size up is a bit loose.

I buy other stuff to fit and pay attention to care instructions. If I am worried about shrinkage or stretching or fading, I wash in cold and air dry. Sometimes a steam iron can stretch things out a tiny bit.

14 years ago

Marley

Veteran

I size down in jeans to allow for stretch - other items I tend to buy the best fit for me when I first try them on.

14 years ago

Elly

Veteran

If I fit in two jeans sizes without some henious crotch issue or major muffin top, I buy the smaller size and they will end up fitting comfortably by the time the new jean stiffness is gone. Normally I buy the comfy pair unless they are loose comfy. As a fellow tall girl, ALWAYS buy the longer inseam. All jeans seem to shrink in length. I have to have a 36" to start out if I wear mine with flat shoes, and I hang dry. They puddle a tiny bit in the dressing room, but after 6 washes or so, they are almost too short. With heels, I go for the 38" and will hem after multiple washes if needed.

14 years ago

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