Clothing questions

[archcommus]

My recent round of clothes buying has introduced some problems for myself. I used to wear a straightforward men's medium. Last spring I bought some T-shirts and it was obvious I now needed large. Recently however I've been buying some polo shirts and hoodies and it appears medium is the right fit. However it's a tighter fit than I'm used to. I'm not sure if this is just the style or if they're actually too small. The other problem is cotton shrinkage. My Aero hoodie, for example, is 80% cotton. Two new polos I bought tonight from JCPenney are 100% cotton. My parents and female friends tell me these "decent" brands are probably pre-washed and won't shrink, especially the Aero hoodie. However I'm not sure if I believe them and so I'm thinking I should exchange them all for larges.

Any insight to all of this? I am not a clothing guru.

 

[shortylickens]

I havent noticed it with colored or decorated T-shirts, but I have noticed that all plain white undershirts shrink regardless of what the lable says.
"Pre-shrunk" is BS.

I am a large and have to get x-larges and make sure they shrink right away to get a good fit. I always toss them in the scalding heat setting with a double cold rinse and then an extra hot, long dryer cycle.
They fit perfectly.

However, if I use a cold wash and low dryer setting, then they slowly shrink over years and wont fit until they are worn out anyway.

Outer wear t-shirts dont seem to have as noticable a problem and I can usually get them as a large and be fine. Same with polos and sweat suits and such.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: shortylickens
I havent noticed it with colored or decorated T-shirts, but I have noticed that all plain white undershirts shrink regardless of what the lable says.
"Pre-shrunk" is BS.

I am a large and have to get x-larges and make sure they shrink right away to get a good fit. I always toss them in the scalding heat setting with a double cold rinse and then an extra hot, long dryer cycle.
They fit perfectly.

However, if I use a cold wash and low dryer setting, then they slowly shrink over years and wont fit until they are worn out anyway.

Outer wear t-shirts dont seem to have as noticable a problem and I can usually get them as a large and be fine. Same with polos and sweat suits and such.

Well right now, these medium polos, they are a bit tigher fitting but they look fine, that just seems to be the style nowadays as opposed to baggier stuff. So if they won't change, I can keep them. But if they'll shrink I may need to buy a size up. My mother feels anything that is 100% cotton will undoubtedly shrink, but other people like yourself say outer wear shirts don't really have that problem.

 

[SlitheryDee]

100% cotton will shrink, prewashed or not. Cotton shrinks EVERY time you wash it, but stretches back out as you wear it. Haven't you noticed the difference between freshly dried jeans and jeans after a day's wear? If it fits alright now it will probably be a tad tight after you wash it, but it will be alright at the end of the day.

I'd go up a size personally.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
100% cotton will shrink, prewashed or not. Cotton shrinks EVERY time you wash it, but stretches back out as you wear it. Haven't you noticed the difference between freshly dried jeans and jeans after a day's wear? If it fits alright now it will probably be a tad tight after you wash it, but it will be alright at the end of the day.

I'd go up a size personally.

Why go up a size if you say it will stretch back out again? I never wear clothes immediately out of the dryer.

Urgh I am a standard dressing GUY, this shouldn't be so hard.

 

[SlitheryDee]

Originally posted by: archcommus

Originally posted by: SlitheryDee
100% cotton will shrink, prewashed or not. Cotton shrinks EVERY time you wash it, but stretches back out as you wear it. Haven't you noticed the difference between freshly dried jeans and jeans after a day's wear? If it fits alright now it will probably be a tad tight after you wash it, but it will be alright at the end of the day.

I'd go up a size personally.

Why go up a size if you say it will stretch back out again? I never wear clothes immediately out of the dryer.

Urgh I am a standard dressing GUY, this shouldn't be so hard.

Like I said it's personal preference. If you're cool with your clothes being a bit tight at the beginning of the day then keep 'em. I like my clothes to be as loose an unrestricting as possible.

Oh and they stretch from the day's wear, not from being out of the dryer for awhile. Clothes that you washed and dried a month ago will be practically as tight as clothes you took out of the dryer an hour ago.

 

[huberm]

I have this problem as well, it really irks me. I put my clothes on a cold wash and dry them in low heat, and they still shrink.

I would just buy one size too big and let them shrink.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: huberm
I have this problem as well, it really irks me. I put my clothes on a cold wash and dry them in low heat, and they still shrink.

I would just buy one size too big and let them shrink.

My dad and one friend are pretty convinced this only happens with cheap T-shirts nowadays, and that I probably won't see any shrinkage with a polo, sweatshirt, or hoodie from a decent store. This is why I'm confused.

I think I'm going to wash and dry them normally and then try them on again. If they feel too small I'll try my luck with exchanging them.

 

[mwtgg]

I wash my clothes on cold as I was having too many shirts shrink on me. This seems to prevent any noticable shrinkage.

 

[archcommus]

Originally posted by: mwtgg
I wash my clothes on cold as I was having too many shirts shrink on me. This seems to prevent any noticable shrinkage.

Well I am putting it to the test. Maybe the best option would've been to exchange them right away for larges, but I want to see what happens for future reference. Both shirts initially fit me fine. I just put both in the washer on cold/cold for a short small load 6 minute cycle. After that I will dry them with my usual dryer settings and see the results!

 

[archcommus]

Washed on cold/cold, dryed on low.

The thin sweater shirt shrunk a bit. The two polos didn't seem to shrink at all really. All are 100% cotton.