Jeans that stretch and no longer bounce back to original shape - YouLookFab Forum

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Jeans that stretch and no longer bounce back to original shape

Chris987

Veteran

I want to pose a fit/wear question to the hive mind here.

With jeans that contain spandex and have a bit of stretch, I know the fit starts out somewhat snug (depending on what size/style you chose), then loosens up as you wear them. After some number of wears the stretch is too much and that's when it's time to put them through the wash again, and the shrink back to where they started.

Quite a few of my jeans have a rise length that is just a little too long, so they already suffer from a bit of sagging at the crotch point, which is not a look I want or like. As they loosen up with wear, it becomes more prominent until I wash them again. I never put jeans in the dryer.

I have a few pairs that are starting to have this problem pretty much all the time, and I'm wondering if the jeans are getting old and the shape won't recover any more like it used to do. Maybe it's time to retire them. I feel like an actor in some old Hollywood cowboy movie who is constantly hitching up an old worn pair of jeans when I get off my horse.

What is your experience with this? When the jeans don't bounce back it is a clue that they are past their prime and it's time to replace/retire them?

Dressing

20 replies

Latest reply was from DonnaF

RobinF

Veteran

That is hard because I like my jeans to be comfortable but to constantly be pulling them up is a pain. A belt helps of course and I do throw mine in the dryer. I would say if you no longer feel good in them then it is probably time to retire them. I don't know of anything else that helps with this problem.

Cins

I think the industry, at least the high end, is switching back to low stretch because of this problem, although I haven’t seen a lot of it. I saw this “concept” featured at the Gap last season. People want jeans to look like jeans, the way Levis used to (and still does although to a lesser degree). I have been looking for this lately and hoping I can find more. I may have to go up a size, which is psychologically very difficult ☺️. Remember when we had to lie down to zip our jeans? Less comfortable, but all was “kept in” once you stood up. That’s 100% cotton. Wondering if 1% spandex only is the happy medium.

Janet

(website)

Veteran

Haha! I have the exact same issue with a lot of jeans! Too long rises, and because I have substantial thighs, the jeans stick to my thighs and shift down my backside when I stand up, so I'm well familiar with the cowboy hitch! Sometimes I find it necessary even just after walking around for a while, not even after sitting. But sizing down means they're too tight on the hip and thigh. I do think that taking in the waist can help.

But if you have jeans that are doing this more straight out of the wash, I think either they're losing their shape, or you're losing weight.

Anonymous

It sounds like it is time to shop for new jeans. When I first started reading YLF, the suggestion was to not buy jeans with over 1 or 2% stretch. I have had pretty good luck with that "rule", cold water wash and line dry., but a 3% stretch content pair have bit the dust.

Jessikams

(website)

Veteran

I use the nice flat Beltaway stretchy belt to keep my jeans in place. Highly recommended. Or, you could run your jeans through the dryer every once in a while to try to reshape them.

Bijou

Veteran

I would either have them altered or retire them. I hate wearing anything fussy that needs constant adjustment. Sorry to hear you have this problem with your jeans.

Liesbeth

Veteran

Hmm, not sure what causes your problem. Jeans do get less stiff in the end and mold to the body, which can be good but I suppose they won’t hold their shape as well once in that stage. I have a probem with sagging bottoms but it’s to do with weight fluctuations. The only time I can remember jeans really failing me (within the year) was with a pair that contained polyester as well as cotton, so I never buy that any more. But I understand that’s not the case in your pairs...

Like the Season

I second Jessikams' Beltaway suggestion. I have two, light and dark, and wear them with all my (admittedly cheap) jeans. Of course, they're not a good solution if you like tucked or cropped tops.

Angie

(website)

Fashion Stylist

Some jeans simply bag out TERRIBLY. The better the quality - the better they retain their shape throughout the day. I am finally at the stage where NONE of jeans bag out at all. It took a while.

Anonymous

I think jean quality is getting better. No jeans I’ve purchased in the last year bag out (yay!), at any price point I’ve tried ($40-$130).

If you have the budget, I’d just get some new jeans. Because bagging out is not just a problem in the seat and waist, but also in the knees.

Chris987

Veteran

Thanks RobinF.

Interesting Cins. I never did that lie down to put jeans on thing

Janet, yes that is EXACTLY what is going on. I haven't lost any weight in the last year but I think my body shape has changed for the better due to a lot of exercise. I take the waist in almost always but sometimes that is not enough to fix the problem.

Joy I think new jeans are definitely part of the answer. Less than 2% stretch could definitely help.

Jessicams I find all belts uncomfortable because I'm so short waisted and not as lean in the torso as I once was so they dig in when I sit, do not stay in place etc. I suppose I could try the dyer as a last resort if I'm read to retire the jeans anyway.

Bijou I have done four different types of alterations (on different jeans) to try to deal with the rise fit issue, and to deal with the sagginess, and it's never quite right although it does help some. 1) take in the waist with a couple of darts in back 2) take in the full inseam from one knee to another 3) remove some of the back yoke by moving the horizontal yoke seam up 3) same as 4 but do it with a tuck. If I was not willing to accept a little of this fussiness I'd have almost no jeans to wear

Lisbeth that's interesting about the fabric content. The ones that have the issue the most are 72% cotton, 26% polyester, 2% spandex. Maybe I should look for ones without polyester.

Like the Season belts unfortunately are not a good option for me as stated above.

Angie that's great to know. My jeans with this issue are definitely lower quality/less expensive ones. I've chosen them because I find it next to impossible to find ones that fit in higher quality but now I have a reason to keep looking at the better ones.

Tina

Veteran

Polyester is indeed a culprit in the bagging out problem. I also find it to make the pants a wee bit itchy. It helps to keep the colour more original and I suppose it’s cheaper (maybe helps strengthen the fabric?) but beyond that, polyester in jeans leaves me scratching my head. I avoid it when I am shopping for jeans.

JAileen

Veteran

Since the jeans are basically unwearable due to bagging, I’d put them in the dryer to shrink them a little. Long term, it’s a bad idea, but if the jeans don’t fit anyway, why not?

SW Ann

Veteran

I've found when this happens it's time to move on to new pairs....the spandex is worn, and the cotton can't bounce back. They're tired, and it's time to retire them. I found this initially traumatic because I loved my old jeans style, but it forced me to go out looking and I did ultimately find new and up to date styles. It was a lot of work, and it tried my patience. After this experience, I make certain to buy new jeans several times per year, in multiple styles, because I lost virtually all my jeans when the above mentioned problem occurred. This was at least 5 years ago, now, but the lesson learned has done my wardrobe a world of good.
Good luck!

Thistle

Veteran

First, I'd try drying them. If you're going to part with them anyway, doesn't hurt to try.

I've also heard washing them in hot water can help for a time. I've never done this, though I do dry my jeans.

However, eventually, the spandex won't snap back and you'll have to retire them.

Not sure you can find jeans without spandex, and if you did, not sure they'd be as comfortable.

Gigi

Veteran

I'm with Thistle. I would start by drying them, and if that doesn't work, then try washing in hot water. If it were me, I would feel very unfab wearing jeans that have the "crotch wad" (which I usually get), so I would retire them if I couldn't fix it somehow.

It can take a lot of looking before you find jeans that fit your body shape. It can really be exhausting. And it seems like a lot of retailers are getting rid of petite curvy fits, which is unfortunate.

lisaflex

Veteran

yep. happens at any price point. i stopped wearing nydj and kut just for this reason. some at whbm dont stretch much but some do terribly. i wash in cold and hang to dry and put in dryer on lowest heat when almost dry

Anonymous

I agree with @SW Ann that it is indeed “traumatic” to have your favourite pair of go south because the spandex is worn out

Chris987

Veteran

Smittie, good advice.
Tina thanks for the confirmation.
Jaileen, not quite unwearable, but annoying for sure. I may try the dryer option.
SW Ann interesting story. Love your positive attitude!
Thistle, good suggestions. I don't wash anything in hot water so trying that with these jeans would be a little less drastic than the dryer. Would be an interesting experiment.
Gigi thanks and yes the petite curvy fits are disappearing although I generally find petite pants a bit too short strangely enough. I think because I'm so short waisted my waist-to-ankle measurement is more in "regular" sizing.
Lisaflex...interesting points. I have a couple of pairs of NYDJ with the too long rise issue but altering the back yoke as made them wearable. Off the rack the rise is ALWAYS too high even in petite sizes so I'm not so interested in therm any more.
Thanks Smittie! The jeans in questions weren't necessarily my favorite pair but they are the only light wash ones I own. So not quite real trauma, but aggravating for sure!

DonnaF

Veteran

This is starting to happen to a couple pairs of my white jeans. I think soaking them for hours in OxyClean dissolved in warm or hot water hastened their demise. My solution is to wear them under dresses since the dresses hide the baggy behind that those jeans seem to develop almost instantly.