• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

Why do nice/expensive shirts not shrink?

S

spidey07

No Lifer
Without fail all of my nice tommy or nautica shirts last years without shrinking. But the cheap ones I buy at kohls after only a couple of months they have shrunk so much you can't wear them - sleeves too short, shoulders too tight, won't stay tucked in. These are 100% cotton shirts.

Is it the weave? Is it "pre-shrunk" cotton? I wash them in cold, low heat dry.
 
The tags and logos have a special chemical additive; when washed/dried this chemical helps the cotton retain its original size and shape. If you add in a couple Kohl's shirts, you'll notice that they don't shrink as much either just because they are basking in the glory and greatness that is Nautica and Hilfiger.
 
I don't know the answer to your question, but you are not alone with what you are experiencing. I'm a cheapskate when it comes to clothes, but there is what I would term a false economy in buying cheap shirts. You don't get as many wearings out of them.

I've got to believe the fabric is pre-shrunk or just made out of a higher quality Cotton. I would think Cotton is Cotton, but what do I know?
 
Originally posted by: boomerang
I don't know the answer to your question, but you are not alone with what you are experiencing. I'm a cheapskate when it comes to clothes, but there is what I would term a false economy in buying cheap shirts. You don't get as many wearings out of them.

I've got to believe the fabric is pre-shrunk or just made out of a higher quality Cotton. I would think Cotton is Cotton, but what do I know?
Click to expand...


i really dont at all trust the "pre-shrunk" label.

the way i approach clothes is to feel how "stretchy" they are. stretchy = higher tendency to shrink. 95% of the time.

then on the first wash & dry , i deal with it accordingly -- hot cycle if i WANT it to shrink or cold if i dont.

so usually, i buy normal cotton tshirts and things just a tad larger than the fit at the store. wash them hot at home and they fit perfect.

sweaters usually have a different body:sleeve length ratio, so i make sure they fit initially, then always keep it on cold. shrinking will fuck up the sleeves for me.


after the first wash, it really doesnt matter that much. everything goes warm.
 
i agree. my Izod button down shirts that i have had for over a year have not shrunk at all but the cheaper ones that my wife got me a few months ago are unwearable due to shrinkage. the labels on both says preshrunk 100% cotton.
 
Originally posted by: sdifox
I always wash cold
Click to expand...

IIRC drying plays a significant role in shrinking. Dry for the bare minimum on low/medium heat (can even remove slightly damp and hang dry).
 
Originally posted by: tefleming
Originally posted by: sdifox
I always wash cold
Click to expand...

IIRC drying plays a significant role in shrinking. Dry for the bare minimum on low/medium heat (can even remove slightly damp and hang dry).
Click to expand...

I wash all my stuff on cold and it still shrinks. Maybe that's my problem then. I guess I gatta dry them on low heat.
 
Originally posted by: spidey07
Without fail all of my nice tommy or nautica shirts last years without shrinking. But the cheap ones I buy at kohls after only a couple of months they have shrunk so much you can't wear them - sleeves too short, shoulders too tight, won't stay tucked in. These are 100% cotton shirts.

Is it the weave? Is it "pre-shrunk" cotton? I wash them in cold, low heat dry.
Click to expand...

I know exactly what you mean. I bought a few nice looking shirts at Kohls... after 3 or 4 washings they were not only significantly smaller, they had already started to fade. I hate buying expensive clothes because I'd be more upset if this happened to a $60 shirt than a $15 shirt.

Hanes t-shirts ftw.
 
Originally posted by: Deviant Grasshopper
As telfleming said, drying has a lot to do with it. However, I notice the same thing (that cheap shirts and pants tend to shrink more)
Click to expand...

Right, so even if they are washed/dried the same what's the real difference? We have empirical evidence and a few hypothesis.

 
Probably because the more expensive clothes have some amounts of spandex or rayon in them and if they're < 1% they probably didn't bother to print on the label.
 
Quality of fabric.

The more spendy shirts use a GOOD quality cotton fabric, whereas the cheaper shirts...yep, cheaper quality fabric.

Cotton garments should shrink 1-2% in the first couple of washes, but not after.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top