One of the most casual outfits in the fashion world is a pair of jeans. Jeans are simple and versatile. They can be worn casually and formally depending on how you style them.
Jeans are also available in different types, colors, and designs. One of the characteristics of a pair of jeans is that they can be worn by all ages and body sizes.
Jeans are very easy to alter. You can decide to turn trousers into short or ripped jeans. Unlike seasonal outfits, jeans are not; they’re with you for life. Also, jeans are durable, comfortable, and affordable depending on the brand though.
In this article, we will be responding to the frequently asked question, “Do express jeans shrink?”
Yes, express jeans shrink. Generally, all jeans shrink especially those made with cotton and express jeans aren’t an exemption. One of the reasons why express jeans shrink is frequent washing. The more you wash this pair of jeans, the more it shrinks.
This is why you should wash your express jeans occasionally else it begins to shrink and won’t fit any longer. So, yes, express jeans do shrink.
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4 Causes of Express Jeans Shrinkage
Express jeans shrink due to some reasons, below are a few reasons why express jeans shrink
1. High-temperature washing
Since express jeans are made from cotton, they’re prone to shrinkage when washed at a higher temperature.
This is because the heat from the water causes the jeans to first expand and once it’s drained, it shrinks and becomes smaller. Hence to prevent shrinkage, wash your express jeans at a low temperature or wash with your hands.
2. Low quality
When you buy and wear low-quality express jeans, the risk of shrinking is very high. Just because two pairs of express jeans look alike doesn’t mean they’re the same. Hence, it is important to look out for the quality and craftsmanship of express jeans before buying one.
3. Drying your jeans multiple times
Another reason why express jeans shrink is due to multiple consecutive drying. Most people are fond of drying their express jeans two or more times. Sometimes, they put them in a dryer frequently to remove wrinkles. This act exposes your jeans to shrinkage. Instead of putting it in a dryer, simply hang your jeans on a line, and wait for them to dry.
4. Becoming old
This may sound weird but when your pair of express jeans becomes old, it begins to shrink. This is because while you wear them, you also wash and dry them, and this reduces the fibers of the jeans. It is essential to properly care for your jeans especially when they’re getting old or trash them because you may not like the new old state of your jeans.
Does Jeans Shrink or Stretch Over-time?
Yes, Jeans shrink over time although it shrinks more the first time you wash them. It also continues to shrink over time with continuous washing as well. However, the shrinkage that occurs during other washes will be small and isn’t permanent compared to the first-time wash.
Since jeans are designed to stretch when you wear them to fit your body type better, the more you wear them, the better they will fit because the fibers become stretched out. However, one of the disadvantages of your jeans stretching out is that it has the tendency of becoming bigger and may not fit the way it was.
This is why it is highly recommended that you follow the care guide for your jeans before washing and avoid frequent washing.
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Do Jeans Shrink After Not Wearing Them?
Are you scared that your jeans may shrink because you’ve not been wearing them? You don’t have to be because they won’t shrink. Remember that one of the causes of shrinkage is a combination of heat and moisture and excessive drying. Hence, your jeans won’t shrink as long as they hang in your wardrobe or are properly folded in your drawer.
5 Ways on How to Prevent Express Jeans From Shrinking
Everyone wants their express jeans to last longer. However, if you’re also a fan of durability but your jeans seem to always shrink due to the factors listed in this article, here are a few ways to prevent your express jeans from shrinking.
1. Natural drying
One of the best ways to prevent your jeans from shrinking is by drying them naturally outside on a line. This doesn’t protect your jean alone, it also saves you the stress of ironing. Once your jeans are properly dried on the line, they won’t wrinkle and you can easily wear them on the go.
However, if it’s not possible to dry them outside, you can use an indoor cloth dryer or an airing cupboard if you have one. But if any of these are not available, ensure you hang them high up where air can circulate them.
2. Wash with cold water and low temperature
As earlier stated in this article, heat is one of the major causes of shrinkage. Hence, wash your jeans with cold water and lower the temperature of your washer before washing them. Using cold water and low temperature to wash helps to preserve the length of the fabric and makes it more durable.
Also if you’re worried about the detergent to use, ensure to use a mild detergent. Using any random detergent doesn’t cause shrinkage but it may cause the color of the jean to fade out. In addition, if your jeans are new, don’t wash them with other clothes because the tendency of the colors to fade out is very high and it may affect the colors of other clothes.
3. Check the washing label of the express jeans
Checking the washing label of your express jean is very important. This tag on the jeans will most likely tell you how to wash them without shrinking them. Hence always check the label to find out the recommended way to wash this particular pair of jeans.
The washing label may be on the back of your jeans’ waist or inside a pocket. Also, checking the label gives you an indication if the jean has been pre-shrunk or not.
4. Washing your jean inside out
Another way of preventing your jean from shrinking is by washing them inside out. This act doesn’t prevent shrinkage alone, it also protects the outside of the jeans and permits the direst part to get washed.
To turn your jean inside out, hold the waist of your jeans in front of you and grab the hem of one leg, do the same for the other side and your jeans are fully turned inside out and ready to wash.
5. Invest in quality jeans
One of the most important ways of preventing shrinkage is by investing in quality fabrics. Nobody is a fan of fabrics that won’t last long.
Instead of purchasing express jeans that will shrink easily and quickly, get the ones that are manufactured to deal with shrinkage.
This will not only last longer, but it will also save you money. Because buying low-quality jeans can be frustrating and makes you spend more.
Conclusion
Express jeans will shrink as long as you expose them to heat, and other factors that can cause shrinkage. However, there are ways to prevent it from shrinking. These ways and everything you need to know about express jeans and all jeans have been fully discussed in this article.
