Should I hot soak the 5EP LDB

MysticAura · Jul 21, 2008

Just got the 5EP LDB, sized 1 down from my true waist. These fit nicely, however the waist is a little too big at the top (about 1.5 inches). I think this is because the rise is slightly higher than what I am used to.

Now I'm 6 foot tall and wear a 32 inseam, but the length is still a little too long for me.

Should I soak these to reduce the waist size and length? Hot or cold soak?

dmaz · Jul 21, 2008

A cold wash will shrink the jeans minimally but the change is still significant. IMO you should wash or soak them. A short hot soak or a long cold soak should yield similar results. They will fir tighter, however they will eventually stretch out to their original size. The waist will shrink noticably and the inseam may shrink close to an inch.

cldpsu · Jul 21, 2008

5ep's are cut a size big

MysticAura · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by cldpsu

5ep's are cut a size big
yep that's why I sized one down. any other opinions on soaking? if I cold wash it, isn't that just the same as buying a rinse version?

Tangfastic · Jul 21, 2008

My 5EP LDB did not shrink one bit after a long hot soak - they are sanforised and will not shrink.

whodini · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by MysticAura

yep that's why I sized one up. any other opinions on soaking? if I cold wash it, isn't that just the same as buying a rinse version?
You've got a pair that's a size too big. Either get a smaller pair or embrace the baggy. Usually when you buy a "rinsed" pair of jeans, there's a sense that it wasn't just dunked into clean water but rather that it was somehow treated. If you're thinking of the term "one-wash" then no, that wouldn't apply to these jeans as they are already sanforized.

cldpsu · Jul 21, 2008

mystic, you got it all wrong. If it's cut big, you size down.

onion · Jul 21, 2008

I hot soaked my 5ep LDB (raw) with ok results. I sized down 1 as well, and looking back I probably should have just exchanged them and sized down 2.

MysticAura · Jul 21, 2008

oh sorry guys my apologies for the confusion. My true waist is a 30, I sized 1 down to a 29...sorry posted this when I just woke up. I will try hot soaking it unless anyone can confirm that these are sanforized and soaking will do no good.

lawyerdad · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by Tangfastic

My 5EP LDB did not shrink one bit after a long hot soak - they are sanforised and will not shrink.

Originally Posted by whodini

Usually when you buy a "rinsed" pair of jeans, there's a sense that it wasn't just dunked into clean water but rather that it was somehow treated. If you're thinking of the term "one-wash" then no, that wouldn't apply to these jeans as they are already sanforized.

Originally Posted by MysticAura

oh sorry guys my apologies for the confusion. My true waist is a 30, I sized 1 down to a 29...sorry posted this when I just woke up. I will try hot soaking it unless anyone can confirm that these are sanforized and soaking will do no good.

Just curious -- what sort of "confirmation" are you looking for?

Tangfastic · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by MysticAura

oh sorry guys my apologies for the confusion. My true waist is a 30, I sized 1 down to a 29...sorry posted this when I just woke up. I will try hot soaking it unless anyone can confirm that these are sanforized and soaking will do no good.
The raw LDBs I got in the context sale are definitely sanforised - did not shrink one bit. They turned the water green and I assumed I lost a lot of indigo but they were still as dark as my 5EP x SF when new, so it won't do much harm to soak them, just don't expect them to shrink! I should have sized down too, I'm saving them for gut expansion now! Try the forum google search for 5EP and shrink and you should get further confirmation. Edit just tried this and there's a post by godmother saying they are sanforised, but they'll shrink 1" after home laundering. Mine didn't shrink anything I could measure at all though.

Johnny_5 · Jul 21, 2008

I wouldnt bother soaking them. If they are sanforized they are already shrunken. It would probably be better to size down to account for stretching.

MysticAura · Jul 21, 2008

THanks for all the responses guys! I think I'll stick with mine, if I size down I'm worried the thighs will shrink too. Went 2 down in the APC NS and wow way too tight. Thanks all!

nyc_gaucho · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by MysticAura

THanks for all the responses guys! I think I'll stick with mine, if I size down I'm worried the thighs will shrink too. Went 2 down in the APC NS and wow way too tight. Thanks all!

one option that hasn't been mentioned is a long cold soak followed by a tumble in the dryer (inside-out, of course)...you won't lose so much sizing/starch from your raws that you would if you hotsoaked, and you'll definitely shrink them up a good bit...be prepared for a very blue dryer, though...

as for your apc ns, i would recommend just spraying down the inside of the tight areas with some water and wearing them until dry...you'll be amazed how much they'll stretch.

cldpsu · Jul 21, 2008

Originally Posted by MysticAura

THanks for all the responses guys! I think I'll stick with mine, if I size down I'm worried the thighs will shrink too. Went 2 down in the APC NS and wow way too tight. Thanks all!

Then get a different jean that fits your waist right and has the room you want in the thighs. Don't buy a jean with a sloppy block just to have the right fit in the thighs.

Should I hot soak the 5EP LDB

Senior Member

Well-Known Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

Conan OOOOOOO"BRIEN!

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Lying Dog-faced Pony Soldier

Distinguished Member

Distinguished Member

Senior Member

Senior Member

Distinguished Member

FEATURED PRODUCTS

Similar threads

Featured Sponsor

Definitely full canvas only

Half canvas is fine

Really don't care

Depends on fabric

Depends on price

Forum Sponsors

Forum statistics

FOLLOW STYLEFORUM ON: