Reader's Digest 2023/11/07 – Levi's CEO Says to Wash Jeans in the Shower (author of the RD article finds it doesn't work very well).
Wash Jeans in Shower
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Reader's Digest 2023/11/07 – Levi's CEO Says to Wash Jeans in the Shower (author of the RD article finds it doesn't work very well).
givemehotwater
Well-known member
You know...
Me, My Mother, Her Mother, and my great-grandmother must have been too sophisticated for this. They all did the laundry, either with a bucket and soap, the new invention of the wringer washer, and then the automatic washing machine.
Who am I to question their technique? I think I've adapted too much to try this one.
Me, My Mother, Her Mother, and my great-grandmother must have been too sophisticated for this. They all did the laundry, either with a bucket and soap, the new invention of the wringer washer, and then the automatic washing machine.
Who am I to question their technique? I think I've adapted too much to try this one.
Obviously he doesn't do much, if any, physical work. Washing jeans in the shower that have been worn doing farm or landscaping work (mud), or doing construction such as masonry, electrical, carpentry (ground in dirt) are not going to get very clean washed in the shower in any reasonable amount of time. Swimming in them would be more effective. He must think everyone that wears the company's product has a desk job, and lives in the city. I think Levi's has lost market share due to recent weirdness such as this, as it doesn't set well with many customers. The last 2 pairs of jeans I've bought are Wrangler, and I find they hold up better than the Levi's I've had in recent years.
WhenI was in HS in the mid to late 60’s I recall that some guys would do this. There was an opinion that if you wore a pair of new Levi’s in the shower and washed them on your body, rinsed them and then wore them out of the shower until they dried on you body they would be more form fitting. Back then we were all about tight Levi’s, especially the legs.
When I got a new pair of Levi 501’s I used to immediately peg the legs on my grandma’s old treadle Singer sewing machine. Some of the mens Western Wear stores in Sonoma Co. would peg them for you before you even left the store with your new Levi’s. And they HAD to be Levi 501’s, NOTHING else would do! I used to pay $4.98 for a pair of new 501’s, those were the days!
Eddie
When I got a new pair of Levi 501’s I used to immediately peg the legs on my grandma’s old treadle Singer sewing machine. Some of the mens Western Wear stores in Sonoma Co. would peg them for you before you even left the store with your new Levi’s. And they HAD to be Levi 501’s, NOTHING else would do! I used to pay $4.98 for a pair of new 501’s, those were the days!
Eddie
washing jeans
The last time I checked, that is what the washing machine is for. Your clothes take a bath, so why would I waste my time washing jeans in the shower?
The last time I checked, that is what the washing machine is for. Your clothes take a bath, so why would I waste my time washing jeans in the shower?
I think it doesn`t matter how stupid and pointless it is to wash jeans in the shower.
It`s been over 20 years since Levi`s legendary 501s have been "in fashion" where literally everybody wore them.
501s and the Levi brand in general will have a huge come back again sometime, no doubt about it.
But in the meantime something has to be done to keep people think and talk about the Levi brand.
Just the fact that it`s a Levi CEO to give a stupid advice even if he talks about jeans in general seems to work well enough to keep a legend alive.
I bet he himself just uses a washer and dryer like everybody else in case he even ever wears jeans, but that`s not the point.
The point is even AW talks about the brand. I`d say mission accomplished!
It`s been over 20 years since Levi`s legendary 501s have been "in fashion" where literally everybody wore them.
501s and the Levi brand in general will have a huge come back again sometime, no doubt about it.
But in the meantime something has to be done to keep people think and talk about the Levi brand.
Just the fact that it`s a Levi CEO to give a stupid advice even if he talks about jeans in general seems to work well enough to keep a legend alive.
I bet he himself just uses a washer and dryer like everybody else in case he even ever wears jeans, but that`s not the point.
The point is even AW talks about the brand. I`d say mission accomplished!
angus
Well-known member
Could be worse, I recall around a year ago, there was some publicity around putting jeans (or as I knew them - dungarees) in the freezer instead of washing them. I have no idea what that operation was supposed to do, but I recall Andy Cohen discussing it with Anderson Cooper. Sounds pretty gross to me - but I guess I don't fit into Andy Cohen's target demographic or income level...
And I wouldn't bother wearing jeans in the shower. if fading and excessive wear is the issue, turn them inside out, wash in cooler water for a shorter period. Not sure why there has to be a "gimmick" with everything these days...
And I wouldn't bother wearing jeans in the shower. if fading and excessive wear is the issue, turn them inside out, wash in cooler water for a shorter period. Not sure why there has to be a "gimmick" with everything these days...
washing jeans in the shower
This is a very stupid idea to wash your dirty jeans in the shower. It is absolutely stupid. There's no way that dirt will EVER be dislodged from the fibers without sufficient agitation.
This is a very stupid idea to wash your dirty jeans in the shower. It is absolutely stupid. There's no way that dirt will EVER be dislodged from the fibers without sufficient agitation.
Actually,
the idea of getting jeans in the shower was not to clean them, but make them kind of shrink so you had "tight jeans" back in the 70s as tight jeans were all the rage then. Also the same reason guys did not wear underwear under jeans, kind of to "make an impression".
the idea of getting jeans in the shower was not to clean them, but make them kind of shrink so you had "tight jeans" back in the 70s as tight jeans were all the rage then. Also the same reason guys did not wear underwear under jeans, kind of to "make an impression".
Re:#8
Ding, ding, ding, ding! Give da man a cigar! Dats what “shower washing” the jeans is all about.
Eddie
Ding, ding, ding, ding! Give da man a cigar! Dats what “shower washing” the jeans is all about.
Eddie
Are you really supposed to be wearing them when you wash them?
That seems to be overly depicted, when what's needed is a rack to wash multiple pairs, and what about soaping them and getting the water to wash and rinse each one completely...
I'd read all I can bear on this ridiculous idea and somehow yet haven't seen any conclusion of which I'll swap washing jeans in my washer which has a Jeans cycle and of which new blue is going to fade over time anyway, even eventually rip, tear and get holes in the pockets of which that's what buying a new pair or pairs is/are for...
-- Dave
That seems to be overly depicted, when what's needed is a rack to wash multiple pairs, and what about soaping them and getting the water to wash and rinse each one completely...
I'd read all I can bear on this ridiculous idea and somehow yet haven't seen any conclusion of which I'll swap washing jeans in my washer which has a Jeans cycle and of which new blue is going to fade over time anyway, even eventually rip, tear and get holes in the pockets of which that's what buying a new pair or pairs is/are for...
-- Dave
Dave, you beat us all!
Too bad there`s no comments section under the RD article where we could ask what we`re supposed to do if we have a hamper full of dirty jeans to wash at once. LOL
Too bad there`s no comments section under the RD article where we could ask what we`re supposed to do if we have a hamper full of dirty jeans to wash at once. LOL
But how many guys actually wear jeans without underwear, because if the are stiff, wouldn't they, as Howard Stern put it, be "chafing your nuts"?
Back in the 70’s I often wore Levi’s commando and never had any chafing. Actually, it was very comfortable to wear Levi’s sans briefs. But that was when I was in my 20’s and didn’t experience the dripping of urine after peeing. Today this would be a no go, underwear helps keep the telltale wet spots from showing.
Eddie
Eddie
Eddie!
Were you "showing off"?
Actually it has been an issue in Hollywood. The Catholic League of Decency was concerned about "Batman" with both Batman and Robin wearing their Speedos, especially Robin. Eventually the producers just decided not to show those areas in most shots but that issue had ABC really in a tizzy back then.
Were you "showing off"?
Actually it has been an issue in Hollywood. The Catholic League of Decency was concerned about "Batman" with both Batman and Robin wearing their Speedos, especially Robin. Eventually the producers just decided not to show those areas in most shots but that issue had ABC really in a tizzy back then.
Bob
Nope, not showing off.
This was just what a lot of guys in my generation did. It was kind of a hippie, counter culture thing. I always thought that it felt good to not wear underwear then. I’d never do it now. At 72+ it just wouldn’t be a fitting thing to do. Ah, the joys of youth! Everyone should experience those carefree days at least once in their lifetime.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/11/2023-18:38]
Nope, not showing off.
This was just what a lot of guys in my generation did. It was kind of a hippie, counter culture thing. I always thought that it felt good to not wear underwear then. I’d never do it now. At 72+ it just wouldn’t be a fitting thing to do. Ah, the joys of youth! Everyone should experience those carefree days at least once in their lifetime.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/11/2023-18:38]
At this point how do you DRY those jeans?
Hang them and wait eternally or this is where you use a dryer which given how soaked the garments will be will also take a long time to dry, and then you're defeating another purpose causing wear and tear over the years making lint!
-- Dave
Hang them and wait eternally or this is where you use a dryer which given how soaked the garments will be will also take a long time to dry, and then you're defeating another purpose causing wear and tear over the years making lint!
-- Dave
Dave, the guys I knew kept them on as long as they could tolerate it to create the "Impression"
Don't know why they got so upset about Batman & particularly Robin. Some of the westerns of the 50's and early 60's left little to the imagination. John Smith in "Laramie" was always showing a bulge. And of course Little Joe in "Bonanza".
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CA8QjRxqFwoTCOD2iPziiIMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABBV
https://www.google.com/url?sa=i&url...ved=0CA8QjRxqFwoTCOD2iPziiIMDFQAAAAAdAAAAABBV
Are "shrink to fit" jeans still on the market today?
Those were actually larger in size than the inch numbers indicated and this was the type some may have worn in the bathtub for a perfect fit.
And those who didn`t want to bother with this would just buy them in their known size and let the washer and dryer do the rest.
Today we have (and we`ve had them for a long time) slim fit, skinny fit, even "spray on" jeans and it`s difficult to find jeans in general that don`t have elastics like Spandex in the fabric.
Don`t get how those could possibly gain for a better fit in the shower.
I think the Levi CEO should better focus on going back to a better product quality and communicate it.
If today`s expensive jeans wouldn`t fade and wear so fast anymore there wouldn`t be need for BS marketing advice like this.
Those were actually larger in size than the inch numbers indicated and this was the type some may have worn in the bathtub for a perfect fit.
And those who didn`t want to bother with this would just buy them in their known size and let the washer and dryer do the rest.
Today we have (and we`ve had them for a long time) slim fit, skinny fit, even "spray on" jeans and it`s difficult to find jeans in general that don`t have elastics like Spandex in the fabric.
Don`t get how those could possibly gain for a better fit in the shower.
I think the Levi CEO should better focus on going back to a better product quality and communicate it.
If today`s expensive jeans wouldn`t fade and wear so fast anymore there wouldn`t be need for BS marketing advice like this.
It may also be worth to note that the inseam of modern male jeans doesn`t go all the way up to the crotch anymore.
This way there`s room for whatever you`ve got or not no matter how tight they are, which makes them kind of safe even for the North American market. LOL
Personally I don`t like this trend in jeans fashion just like the decline of European men wearing Speedos on the beach these days, but what can I do?[this post was last edited: 12/12/2023-07:49]
This way there`s room for whatever you`ve got or not no matter how tight they are, which makes them kind of safe even for the North American market. LOL
Personally I don`t like this trend in jeans fashion just like the decline of European men wearing Speedos on the beach these days, but what can I do?[this post was last edited: 12/12/2023-07:49]
launderess
Well-known member
Pegged leg jeans, that takes one back!
https://recollectionsofplay.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/totally-80s-pegged-jeans/
https://the80sand90s.com/articles/peg-legs
https://recollectionsofplay.wordpress.com/2014/07/30/totally-80s-pegged-jeans/
https://the80sand90s.com/articles/peg-legs
washing jeans
I'm sticking to washing jeans on the normal cycle in the washer and drying them on the same cycle in the dryer. Thank you.
I'm sticking to washing jeans on the normal cycle in the washer and drying them on the same cycle in the dryer. Thank you.
Nope, I wash my jeans in the washer and my body in the shower.
Re: #22
In the 60’s pegging the legs of our pants had nothing to do with rolling up the cuffs, at least not in California and my neck of the woods. Pegging our pant legs was all about making them tighter, nothing more. We would have NEVER worn our cuffs rolled up in the 60’s, that would have been old fashioned and too much like the 50’s. I’ve never before seen cuffs on pant legs being referred to as pegging.
Eddie
In the 60’s pegging the legs of our pants had nothing to do with rolling up the cuffs, at least not in California and my neck of the woods. Pegging our pant legs was all about making them tighter, nothing more. We would have NEVER worn our cuffs rolled up in the 60’s, that would have been old fashioned and too much like the 50’s. I’ve never before seen cuffs on pant legs being referred to as pegging.
Eddie
launderess
Well-known member
I'll take your word on it Eddie
Wasn't around then and only memory one has is from 1980's...
Wasn't around then and only memory one has is from 1980's...
angus
Well-known member
Yup- pegging pants here in Connecticut also just refers to how tight you make the legs. In fact when I started high school in the fall of 1971, our school had a guide called the "Pilot" that every student received and outlined the behavioral expectations, etc... . It also had an extensive dress code section that specifically stated"no pegged pants for boys" and "slacks" for girls were only to be worn between December 15 and April 1 (to allow for our cold winters), and they were never to wear "culottes". No jeans were permitted and girls were always to wear "hose" (no bare legs). Only shirts with collars and sleeves (no T-shirts) were permitted, no facial hair or "ducktails" on boys' hair and "Bermuda" shorts were permitted during spring final exams only, to complete the picture. I'm sure there are others I am forgetting... And this was a public school.
Angus,
Our dress code wasn’t quite as restrictive as yours. I entered HS in the Fall of ‘65. Boys were allowed to wear pegged pants. Girls however weren’t allowed to wear any kind of pants, except underpants, but culottes were allowed and some of the girls wore them. There was no requirement that the girls wear hose, bare legged was OK, but lots of runs were not. Long Granny dresses were very popular and allowed.
Boys had to be clean shaven, no mustaches, excessively long sideburns or goatee’s. I started to shave in the 8th grade and had a very heavy beard. Until I was a senior I used an electric razor and by the afternoon I’d have a 5 O’clock shadow. Once the Woodshop teacher told me that if I came to school like that again he’d shave me with a rusty blade. Boys hair couldn’t touch the collar. Once a senior was told to get a haircut, his hair wasn’t long at all. So over the weekend he shaved his head in protest. That resulted in a 2 week suspension for”radical behavior”. The entire student body protested over this and he was reinstated to school.
There was no prohibition of tee shirts, which was good because those horizontally stripped Surfer shirts were all the rage in ‘65.
When I entered Beauty College in the Summer of ‘69 the female students couldn’t wear their skirts more than 1” above the knee. The supervisor's stood in the lobby when students arrived in the morning with a ruler and measured the skirt length, over 1” above the knee and missy you were sent home to change.
I think kids heads would explode today if these restrictions were imposed on them. They had us under their thumbs in my day. You were at school to learn, not make trouble.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/14/2023-09:57]
Our dress code wasn’t quite as restrictive as yours. I entered HS in the Fall of ‘65. Boys were allowed to wear pegged pants. Girls however weren’t allowed to wear any kind of pants, except underpants, but culottes were allowed and some of the girls wore them. There was no requirement that the girls wear hose, bare legged was OK, but lots of runs were not. Long Granny dresses were very popular and allowed.
Boys had to be clean shaven, no mustaches, excessively long sideburns or goatee’s. I started to shave in the 8th grade and had a very heavy beard. Until I was a senior I used an electric razor and by the afternoon I’d have a 5 O’clock shadow. Once the Woodshop teacher told me that if I came to school like that again he’d shave me with a rusty blade. Boys hair couldn’t touch the collar. Once a senior was told to get a haircut, his hair wasn’t long at all. So over the weekend he shaved his head in protest. That resulted in a 2 week suspension for”radical behavior”. The entire student body protested over this and he was reinstated to school.
There was no prohibition of tee shirts, which was good because those horizontally stripped Surfer shirts were all the rage in ‘65.
When I entered Beauty College in the Summer of ‘69 the female students couldn’t wear their skirts more than 1” above the knee. The supervisor's stood in the lobby when students arrived in the morning with a ruler and measured the skirt length, over 1” above the knee and missy you were sent home to change.
I think kids heads would explode today if these restrictions were imposed on them. They had us under their thumbs in my day. You were at school to learn, not make trouble.
Eddie[this post was last edited: 12/14/2023-09:57]
angus
Well-known member
I forgot about boys' hair being "neatly trimmed and above the collar, with no excessively long sideburns". The funny thing was that no one in our school (total around 1,600 students from freshmen to senior) felt it necessary to protest. We just went on with our lives. There were kids who were sloppier than others and those that just made it on the hair length, etc.. but overall it just wasn't a big deal. I can't imagine any school imposing those conditions today. I see neighborhood kids walking to school in anything and everything, basketball shorts, distressed jeans (they look to me not like "distress" but "agony"), flip-flops and tank tops included.
The skirt length I recall from parochial grammar school. The principal would come around to each class and spontaneously select several girls to measure the Uniform's skirt length and it had to be no more than 1 inch above the knee. Otherwise their unsuspecting mothers got called to school. I say unsuspecting because the skirts were actually an acceptable length. But the girls would roll the waistbands to make the skirts shorter once they were out of the house. My mother got a few of those calls for my sister both in grammar and high school (she went to a Catholic all girls high school so it wasn't a new trick and obviously had been around for ages.
The skirt length I recall from parochial grammar school. The principal would come around to each class and spontaneously select several girls to measure the Uniform's skirt length and it had to be no more than 1 inch above the knee. Otherwise their unsuspecting mothers got called to school. I say unsuspecting because the skirts were actually an acceptable length. But the girls would roll the waistbands to make the skirts shorter once they were out of the house. My mother got a few of those calls for my sister both in grammar and high school (she went to a Catholic all girls high school so it wasn't a new trick and obviously had been around for ages.
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