I bought a denim jacket last year and it is just all over too big. I being overweight as it is, don't think it is a good idea to try to gain weight (lol) was wondering if I could try to shrink it in the wash.
Advice on shrinking a denim jacket
- Thread starter dermacie
- Start date
Help Support :
I think the dryer is where you'll find the most shrinkage potential. I'd take it to a laundromat and set the dryer on hottest setting. On the few occasions I've had to use a laundromat, all of the dryers were on the verge of burning everything in them.
Otherwise, find a friend with a Speed Queen dryer. You'll get nearly the same results.
Otherwise, find a friend with a Speed Queen dryer. You'll get nearly the same results.
I do have a speed queen dryer. But I might try the laundromat first.
In all my years of experience if you don't want something to shrink it will, if you do,it won't!!
Being a bean pole, I've always had trouble with things being too large for me. I used to shrink stuff by a hot wash and very hot dry. It didn't always work but it usually did help.
I wonder if it will work with jeans. I never had jeans that really shrunk, not even after a boil wash.
Levi's 501s used to shrink reliably, and buying a pair an inch larger in the waist and with inseam two inches longer was mandatory. I don't know if they even make them anymore, or if they do, whether they're the same as they used to be. A friend of mine said the red tab is no longer part of the design, so that may be an indicator that things aren't what they used to be.
I still have an old pair of 501s that I'll break out during the winter if it gets cold enough, otherwise I'm in shorts year 'round.
I still have an old pair of 501s that I'll break out during the winter if it gets cold enough, otherwise I'm in shorts year 'round.
Tony you are right I never had luck intentionally shrinking anything. I haven’t tried the Jacket yet. I will let everyone know the results.
Ralph I am pretty sure they still make 501s still and I think you should get a new pair. I never had the body for those, button fly is also a challenge if you were them to the bar lol.
I do think I will use my trusty 1952 Maytag J2L which I just oiled the casters and dusted off for this scalding hot wash occasional. Actually 501s would look nice with a jean jacket.
Ralph I am pretty sure they still make 501s still and I think you should get a new pair. I never had the body for those, button fly is also a challenge if you were them to the bar lol.
I do think I will use my trusty 1952 Maytag J2L which I just oiled the casters and dusted off for this scalding hot wash occasional. Actually 501s would look nice with a jean jacket.
The 501’s of today are nothing like the 501’s of yore. The denim used to be heavy weight and the fabric wasn’t preshrunk before they were sown together. They were purposely cut larger than the size on the label to allow for the shrinkage that was sure to result from washing and drying them.
The 501’s of today are made of lightweight denim that is preshrunk before they are sown. They have very minimal shrinkage and they wear out quicker too.
Derek, be aware that the sleeve length may shrink too, so if they are the right length now, after a very hot was they may be too short. If you have a dry cleaners in your town that does alterations why not give them a call and see of they could make the alterations for you so it fits you perfectly. You’ll be much happier in the end for maybe an extra $40.00.
Eddie
The 501’s of today are made of lightweight denim that is preshrunk before they are sown. They have very minimal shrinkage and they wear out quicker too.
Derek, be aware that the sleeve length may shrink too, so if they are the right length now, after a very hot was they may be too short. If you have a dry cleaners in your town that does alterations why not give them a call and see of they could make the alterations for you so it fits you perfectly. You’ll be much happier in the end for maybe an extra $40.00.
Eddie
501s
Yeah, on my old pair, the top button of the fly tends to come undone easily. In the olden days, that sent a message in the bars that I wouldn't necessarily want to convey out among the general public today.
I found a pair for my husband Dave at a thrift store up in gold country earlier this year, and I have a feeling the staff at his assisted living facility doesn't care much for the button fly system. My buddy found a jacket but later felt it was too big for him, so I have it now. He and I are heading up to that same area perhaps next week, so I'm hoping to hit thrift stores there again and will be on the lookout for 501s that fit me.
New ones would take forever to fade since I wear them so seldom. There used to be a product that I think was called "Soft 'n' Fade" that would work with one washing. I'll have to see if it or something similar is available, then decide if spending $50 or whatever it is now on a pair of new 501s even makes sense.
Yeah, on my old pair, the top button of the fly tends to come undone easily. In the olden days, that sent a message in the bars that I wouldn't necessarily want to convey out among the general public today.
I found a pair for my husband Dave at a thrift store up in gold country earlier this year, and I have a feeling the staff at his assisted living facility doesn't care much for the button fly system. My buddy found a jacket but later felt it was too big for him, so I have it now. He and I are heading up to that same area perhaps next week, so I'm hoping to hit thrift stores there again and will be on the lookout for 501s that fit me.
New ones would take forever to fade since I wear them so seldom. There used to be a product that I think was called "Soft 'n' Fade" that would work with one washing. I'll have to see if it or something similar is available, then decide if spending $50 or whatever it is now on a pair of new 501s even makes sense.
I believe the operation was a success. Not 100 percent but a good 80 and it looks good,
