J. Crew linen boatneck tee: Does it shrink?

Gigi

Question for those of you with the J. Crew linen boatneck tee: Does it shrink in the wash? As I noted in my other thread (here), one of the linen tees fits OK, but the neck is too big. It looks more like a moderate scoop neck on me than a boat neck because of my short stature. If the tee will shrink when washed, I might risk keeping it. If it doesn't shrink, I will probably return it, because the width and depth of the neck look a little awkward.

Sigh. The story of my (short-torsoed) life.

Thanks!

ETA: Also, does this tee stretch out badly when worn?

J.Crew

Linen boatneck tee

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10 years ago

General

7 replies

Latest reply was from Suz

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gigi, here's my experience for what it is worth.

The tee stretches out a small amount when worn, for me, entirely in the sleeves where I scrunch them.

When you wash linen, you can "block" it, similar to wool. In other words, you can shape it so that it dries more or less the way you want.

Mine have not shrunk in the wash. I wash in cold water, machine, and lay flat to dry.

If you wanted to stretch it, you could hang to dry. If you want to make it a bit smaller, you can "block" and air dry.

You could also try it in the dryer, but that might shrink it too much; I'm not sure.

So sorry this may not work for you, but I still have hope.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks, Suz! I am a little worried about putting it in the dryer, because I think you are right that that might shrink it too much. I also wonder if it would make the fibers stiff.

I'm familiar with blocking something in general, but I'm not sure how that could make it smaller (?). I know I could stretch it or reshape it, but I don't know how successful I would be making the neckline less deep. To be honest, I'm kind of soured on J. Crew after the white linen tee incident. Argh. Sour grapes for Gigi!

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Oh, dear. It's so disappointing when we have high hopes of something. And I do understand. I feel so lucky not to be a true petite. The choices are so limited.

Hang on. I just had a thought. Do they make something similar in KIDS' sizes????? I am at least a size bigger than you and I sometimes have luck in kids' departments.

Okay - I just scanned -- I didn't see anything precisely like this, but I saw a TON of really cute styles. Yes, some were a bit too cute, but others had amazing potential and/or looked exactly like one of the adult items.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

I occasionally check out the kids' depts at places, but what I find is that generally the tops are *too* short, as well as too boxy. I guess I am still built like a woman, albeit a small one! And I'll admit that I quickly lose patience combing through pages and pages of cute unicorns and hearts and bunnies. But I plan to return at least the white top to the mall on Saturday, so I will try on some of the girls' tops just to see how they fit.

Sorry to be such a crab!

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10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Gigi, I get it. I really do. You had hopes. Reasonable ones! I may have unintentionally led you astray with my measurements -- I do hope not. I guess we didn't measure neckline width/ depth.

And didn't talk about shoulder width, either. I'm small and small busted but I do have quite wide shoulders, so they probably take up some of that neckline width. I think I can wear a slightly wider neckline than Angie can (and she is taller) -- because her frame is smaller than mine and although her shoulders are square they are probably not as wide as mine are.

10 years ago

Gigi

Veteran

Thanks for understanding, Suz! Sometimes frustration really does get the better of me.

I think your measurements were accurate, because the navy top is a good fit, except for the neckline—and I know we didn't talk about that. And when I ordered, there was free shipping that day, so it's no biggie in the final analysis.

I don't have very wide shoulders, so that causes a problem. I was in J. Crew earlier today (before I got my package) trying on some XXS tees, and the one that was the best fit was still a little wide in the shoulders. I get burned 99% of the time when I try nonpetite tops—I think it's a combination of small bust, narrow shoulders, and short waist. I thought J. Crew might be an exception, seeing as their clothes are made for smaller-busted women, but the shoulders are still a tad too wide and the neckline a bit too low. Live and learn! At least I know how their tops fit now.

Before I forget, did the drape of the tee change once it was washed and the material had shrunk in on itself?

10 years ago

Suz

(website)

Veteran

Ah! That makes sense then. Because I really do have wide shoulders for my height. Not broad or thick like an IT - but square and wide across. And I'm "elliptically" shaped, as ClearlyClaire says. So wide from the front.

It must be so, so frustrating. You and Shiny can commiserate. She gets really annoyed by the whole limited selection for petites thing.

The tee still drapes really well for me. When I first fold it after drying, it feels a bit "crisp" or even crunchy. I suppose I could iron it, but I find the heat of my body relaxes the fibres just enough for optimal drape (without bagging, except in those sleeves, which is understandable, since I push them up).

10 years ago

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