My before and after video, taking you step by step on how to wash and shrink-to-fit your raw denim in the bathtub. The jeans are unshrunk (aka unsanforized) Japanese denim from Studio D’Artisan in Tokyo.
I tried this yesterday and want to share feedback for anyone interested. Sitting in a warm tub for 30 minutes is surprisingly pleasant; going around with wet jeans afterwards is not. I couldn't see myself sunbathing afterwards, per this video, so I mostly went about my day, sometimes on my feet, sometimes sitting, sometimes outdoors, sometimes in. I wore them for 3 hours, put them in a plastic bag overnight (so they wouldn't dry/shrink on their own) and then wore them again today. They're now mostly dry. My advice is if you're doing this, start out early in the day if possible. And realize that if you wash/dry them using conventional methods at some point in the future you're probably going to lose all the custom shrink benefits you get from the bathtub method.
@@TubeDupe These jeans that you've taken the trouble to fit just so - you're not going to wear them to work on your car or mow the lawn. You're going to wear them when you want to look good in jeans, so maybe a few times a week. Wearing them a few times a week, you'll be able to keep them clean enough long enough - certainly one year, maybe two. After that, you wash them, they shrink, and they become your car repair and lawn mowing jeans. And then you start all over again.
My method: 29x30 is slightly too big for me and 28x30 is too tight. So I error on the side of big and get 29x30, then wash them in HOT water the first time. Careful because Hot water can shrink jeans a lot, so if there's any doubt, try WARM or a mix of WARM & HOT. After that, you break em in by wearing them.
I have had hundreds of shrink to fit 501 jeans and never did this process or heard of anyone doing it. Back in the 70s they were said to shrink an inch in the waist and 2-3 on length.. So thats how you bought them. An inch bigger in waist and at least 2 in length or longer for a cuff..
Well, I have been wearing Levi's shrink-to-fit 501s since 1969. Figure over 100 pairs. My technique for shrinking is I wash them in my washing machine and then dry them in my dryer. That is also my technique for cleaning. It works well so that is my recommendation.
Some are more discerning than others when it comes to shrink to fit. Some might care more about tightness in the waist or leg - it comes down to our diverse body types!
@@danielfortney384 Depending on the era of Levi's they shrink different amounts. But a good rule of thumb is 2 inches in the waist and 3 inches in the length. If you don't buy the proper size, which is unwearably big, then they will be too small after washing. Without much effort STF 501 jeans will shrink to their natural size. A culture has arisen that offers all sorts of old wive's tales about approaches to shrinking and fading other than just simply washing them. The dumbest being washing them by putting them in the freezer to reduce stink instead of really washing and cleaning them. STF 501 jeans will always shrink down to their natural size and that can be delayed by not washing and other techniques, but not eliminated. I like watching youtube videos that suggest we have the magic ability to override that, like making water freeze at 75 degrees.
Hi, I've been looking for a similar idea and you are close. You and I have a similar body type I am hoping this works because I have given away too many pairs because of bad info, some think just buying them near your size wash , dry, works Not every body type is the same. I recall my mom in the 60s tell me she had to work magic to get my jeans right, I should have listened.
Correct, most jeans have undergone a "sanforization" process which is pretreated process of washing and stretching the fabric, preventing them from further shrinking
Are we must do this ? Is there any other ways to make it shrink properly? I had never done this with my levis... all i did is wear it and then wash it and when i wear it again after i wash it , it feel more confortable... is im using the wrong way?
A lot of raw denim comes “sanforized” which is pretreated process of washing and stretching the fabric, preventing them from further shrinking. Be sure your jeans are “unsanforized” which will allow a good shrink to fit.
I just bought levis lmc japanese selvedge denim dark blue raw colour....its written on tag that ..crocking will happen...so..my Q is ..is it safronized or unsafronized?
While most of the shrinking happens in the hot water, some does occur in the drying process. To be sure of a perfect desired shrink I would suggest wearing them till dry, but if less concerned air drying would work too.
The Studio D’Artisan jeans are an excellent choice if you like raw selvedge - thick, sturdy, extra stitching. I’m looking forward to wearing them more in the fall and winter months.
Hahaha I know, but on the plus side it was salvaged from a demolished building. It’s a vintage claw foot cast iron tub and I love it dings and all! Reuse ♻️ Recycle
What if they fit oerfect as is and you DONT want them to shrink? They have length to spare. No way I'm wearing wet jeans. F no. I just bought a pair and the waist is absolutely perfect and I'm scared they will shrink and then I'm be too fat for them. Gustins
If the jeans don't fit you must acquit. No that's not it. If the jeans don't fit after you shrink them, then they aren't your size. If the jeans fit before you shrink them then they are clearly for a smaller person than you.
For perfect fitting jeans you should dry clean only. I’ve heard some people also place them in the freezer to kill any microbes. If you must wash- to avoid shrinking, use cold water and use Wool Lite. Let me know how it goes! ⭐️
Fun fact: high-quality Japanese denim is considered the best because it's woven on old shuttle looms and made using premium fabrics and natural indigo dyes native to Japan.
