I wouldn’t name myself a denim-head, however I do respect a high quality pair of denims.
A sort of denims that I’ve experimented with up to now is uncooked denim denims.
What’s uncooked denim?
Most denim denims you purchase right now have been pre-washed and handled with a course of known as “sanforization” to melt up the material, cut back shrinkage, and forestall indigo dye from rubbing off. Uncooked denim (typically known as “dry denim”) denims are merely denims constructed from denim that hasn’t gone by way of this prewash/therapy course of.
The large promoting level of uncooked denim denims is that they begin their life as a clean canvas that turns into customized to you. Whereas mass-produced denims include fake fading and distressing that’s the identical for each single pair, with uncooked denim, the fading and distressing are created by your physique sort and the way you put on them. Additionally, the match of uncooked denim turns into tailor-made to your physique. Every pair finally ends up being uniquely yours, with a extra {custom} feel and appear.
If you wish to check out uncooked denim denims with out breaking the financial institution, Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Match (STF) denims can’t be beat. (Word: I don’t have any affiliation with Levis, neither is this a sponsored put up.) They’re an American basic (your grandpa in all probability owned a pair of Levi’s 501s), they solely value $50 on Amazon, and so they’ll final you a very long time.
As a result of 501 Shrink-to-Match denims haven’t been pre-washed, you need to undergo a particular sizing and shrinking course of to finish up with the suitable match.
Levi’s offers some pointers on the best way to go about this course of. I adopted them with combined outcomes.
Beneath, I share what these outcomes have been and the ideas I gleaned from my experiment in shrinking Levi’s 501 STF denims.
The right way to Measurement Your Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Match Denims
The important thing to getting the suitable match with Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Match denims lies in understanding the sizing course of and accounting for the shrinkage that can happen. The dimensions you select will depend upon the shrinking course of you propose to make use of. Levi’s offers the next option-dependent pointers:
For the old-school approach, purchase true to dimension within the waist and two sizes up in size. Put on them within the tub and hold them on to dry.For individuals who need to machine wash and dry the denims, we advocate ordering up. In your waist, enhance 1″ for sizes 27″-36″, 2″ for 38″-48″, and three″ for 50″ and up. And in your inseam, enhance 3″ for sizes 27″-34″ and 4″ for 36″ and up.For purists who like their denim unwashed, no must dimension up. Purchase them true to dimension.
To determine which sizing/shrinking technique supplied the very best outcomes, I attempted all three strategies. Beneath are the outcomes.
The Previous-Faculty Shrink-to-Match Methodology
The old-school shrink-to-fit technique requires you to purchase 501s which are true to dimension within the waist and two sizes up in size. You then put on them within the tub and go away them on to dry.
I normally put on 33×32 in denims, so this technique required me to buy 501s which are 33×34.
As a substitute of merely sporting the denims within the tub, I opted for a extra concerned course of that I’ve seen on different menswear websites that individuals claimed supplied equal outcomes with out having to put on soaking moist denims and drip indigo dye round the home. Right here’s a step-by-step information:
Step 1: Soak the Denims
Fill your bathtub up with sizzling water. Flip the denims inside out to attenuate the quantity of indigo dye misplaced in the course of the soaking course of. Place the denims within the tub, making certain the new water totally covers them. Enable the denims to soak for about 45 minutes to an hour.
The indigo dye that got here off in the course of the soak.
Step 2: Cling Dry
Take away the denims from the bathtub and grasp them up within the bathe. Allow them to grasp till they’re now not dripping with water.
Step 3: Towel Dry
As soon as your denims have drip-dried, place them horizontally on the ground between two towels. Step on the towel-covered denims to extract as a lot water as you may. Flip the denims proper facet out and repeat stepping on the towels.
Step 4: Put on Your Damp Denims
Whereas the denims are nonetheless damp, it’s time to place them on and allow them to dry in your physique. Because the denims dry, they may shrink and conform to your physique form, leading to a match that’s distinctive to you. I like to recommend going commando whereas sporting your damp denims. Your physique warmth will assist pace up the drying course of. Additionally, I’d keep away from doing this within the winter, lest you freeze your bits.
Ensure that to keep away from sitting on any light-colored upholstery throughout this time, as there’s an opportunity you’ll get some indigo rub-off on it.
Previous-Faculty Tub Methodology Outcomes
Right here’s what my 33×34 501s regarded like earlier than going by way of the old-school shrink-to-fit course of:
Earlier than
Right here’s what they regarded like after going by way of the old-school shrink-to-fit course of:
After
The waist match tremendous, however I wasn’t pleased with the insufficient shrinkage that occurred alongside the inseam, and particularly across the knees, the place there was lots of bunching. Total, the denims nonetheless felt too dishevelled and free.
Maybe they’ll shrink extra if I soak them once more.
The bathtub-soaking technique additionally left me with denims that felt fairly stiff. That can possible work its method out as I put on them repeatedly.
One benefit to the old-school tub technique is that your denims will hold extra of their basic indigo denim shade than in case you do the washer technique.
Total, I wasn’t pleased with the end result this course of gave me. The match was too off.
Washing Machine and Dryer Methodology
I then tried technique two: throw your denims within the washer on the chilly cycle after which tumble dry.
For this technique, I wanted to purchase 501s that have been one inch larger than my waist dimension and three inches larger than my inseam.
So, for a 33×32 pant dimension, I wanted to purchase 501s that have been 34×35. Levi’s didn’t supply a 501 with a 35-inch inseam, so I went with 34x34s. Even when they supplied a 35-inch inseam, I feel they might have been method too large even after shrinking.
Be sure to launder the denims with different very darkish colours, as they’ll launch loads of indigo shade within the wash and blue fuzz within the dryer. I set the dryer on medium warmth.
Right here’s what the 34×34 denims regarded like earlier than shrinking:
Earlier than
As you may see, they’re fairly dang large. Actually, actually dishevelled. I didn’t suppose they’d be capable to shrink sufficient to supply a good match.
After the primary wash and tumble dry, the 34×34 denims shrunk greater than I’d anticipated however have been nonetheless a tad too dishevelled. So I put them by way of the washer and dryer once more (continued shrinkage can happen over the primary a number of washings and dryings).
Right here’s what they regarded like after that second washing and drying:
After
The waist match completely. The inseam shrunk fairly a bit. They’re a tad baggier than I like in denims, however the general match was undoubtedly higher than the old-school technique.
The opposite benefit of utilizing the washer and dryer technique is that the denims really feel much less stiff and extra broken-in than those handled with the old-school technique.
One other factor you’ll discover with the washer/dryer technique is that the colour of your denims will change to extra of a royal blue. This is because of extra indigo popping out of the material in the course of the washing course of. That might be a plus or minus, relying in your desire.
True-to-Match, Shrink-to Match-Denims
I additionally tried shopping for a pair of 501s Shrink-to-Match at my true-to-fit dimension.
Right here’s what they appear like:
Not too shabby. Once more, slightly baggier and bunchier within the knees than I feel is good.
For those who’re going to purchase 501 Shrink-to-Match Denims together with your true-to-fit dimension, you may’t ever wash them (sure, ever). They gained’t fit your needs afterwards.
Which Levi’s 501 Shrink-to-Match Methodology Ought to You Use?
I believed the washer and dryer technique supplied the very best match out of all of the strategies. Additionally, it was a heck of rather a lot simpler.
I can see the enchantment of the bathtub technique. It’s like making French press espresso. It feels such as you’re crafting your denims. I additionally preferred the ensuing shade of the old-school shrunk denims over those who went by way of the washer. However based mostly on my expertise, the ROI wasn’t price it.
Whatever the technique you utilize, you’ll need to wash your denims minimally over the primary yr to permit your distinctive fades to set within the cloth. For those who’re completely happy together with your present match and need to preserve it, allow them to air dry after washing (or dry in your physique to permit the material to additional conform to your physique). In order for you extra shrinkage (the denims will stretch out as you put on them), put them within the dryer.
Would I Suggest Shrink-to-Match Denims?
After all of the rigamarole I went by way of with becoming the 501 STFs, I’ve determined it’s lots of work to get a pair of denims that match . . . okay. The match will maybe enhance with some extra washings and wearings, however I nonetheless don’t suppose it will likely be pretty much as good as pre-washed pairs I’ve purchased off-the-rack.
I get the enchantment of shrink-to-fit denims. They provide you a extra custom-made feel and appear. It’s nostalgic. There’s a romantic feeling that you simply’re participating in a course of that your grandpa went by way of to get a nice-fitting pair of denims. 2009, 27-year-old retrosexual Brett can be throughout this; 2024, 41-year-old Brett, not a lot. I’ll take pre-washed and pre-shrunk denims. They give the impression of being good with out the trouble.
