Amount of stretch in raw denim?

[Mrs. Savage]

So we are working on a system for our website http://dresscodesatl.com/ that will inform people on the amount of stretch to expect with various raw denim.
What I had in mind was to sort it all by slight (.5-1"), moderate(1-1.5) or extreme (1.5-2+)
OR Something like that...

But the difficult thing about doing this is that it all depends on how hard you wear your jeans, how often, body type, if they started off tight on you are kinda loose...and so on...

Anyways I wanted your help on creating a better system, Any suggestions?
Also I want to collect some data on your experience with stretch, so then perhaps I can calculate the average stretch for different jeans and go by that...

Nudie
KMW
5EP
Crate
Good Society
Earnest Sewn

 

[why]

My Earnest Sewns strecthed about 1-1.5" in the waist.

 

[Mrs. Savage]

Also want you to add what style/fit.
Thanks

 

[chronoaug]

If you buy them to the point where they're snug (maybe even a tad too snug) at the waist, they generally stretch out to fit you better and be more comfortable. I think it's dangerous telling people that they'll stretch a certain amount since it depends on a lot of factors inculding, the type of denim, washing patterns, the size of the individual, where the individual wears the denim, and their body proportions (small waist, big thighs, wide hips, etc...)

 

[alliswell]

And the before and after size - a 2" stretch in a 28" waist is different than a 2" stretch in a 38".

 

[Get Smart]

stretching is such a YMMV type thing, I don't think you can accurately say X-brand stretches X-amount

I buy my jeans so they fit snug but not tight on day 1 so they don't need to stretch a couple inches to fit, and as a result they don't stretch out very much. Probably less than an inch and not even noticeable.

And lifestyle has a lot to do with how much jeans will stretch which is never something you can gauge over the internerd.

 

[Concepts_BLC]

I think this is a great idea, but extremely tough to gage. Just like all denim fits people differently, it stretches differently depending on the person too.

 

[EdenResident]

Originally Posted by Concepts_BLC

I think this is a great idea, but extremely tough to gage. Just like all denim fits people differently, it stretches differently depending on the person too.

Right but his point is, everything else being equal, some jeans will stretch more than others. For example, lots of people recommend sizing down 2 or 3 size on the APC because they stretch a lot more than other jeans. I think it's a good idea.

 

[Mrs. Savage]

There are so many factors that play into this.... it is a feature that I think would be very informative... your right some jeans you need to size down other you don't...
And for people who are not on the forum to ask all of you questions on fit and such, I feel that if we have some sort of system or what not it will help the person buying on-line feel more comfortable with their purchase as well as cut back on returns or exchanges...

I really don't know the best way to go about it with out it being too complicated.

 

[whodini]

Originally Posted by EdenResident

Right but his point is, everything else being equal, some jeans will stretch more than others. For example, lots of people recommend sizing down 2 or 3 size on the APC because they stretch a lot more than other jeans. I think it's a good idea.
People recommend sizing down on APC because they're vanity sized to begin with. Stretching is the cherry on top of the recommendation. I'm with Chrono and GS. If you're going to give advice to people like this, you REALLY need to cover all your bases in great detail. It might suck for a first-time consumer but they really should know what they're getting into. You might want to give a general idea of stretching, say "5EP-Moderate," and then add a standard caveat for all jeans: This is just a basic stretching guideline. Factors that minimize stretching in the waist include: regularly wearing a belt, the jeans initially fitting comfortably to loose, regular washing to shrink jeans back to initial size (or more), wearing the jeans higher on your waist, or any combination thereof. Habits that promote stretching include doing the opposite of the previously mentioned factors. If you want a more consistent fit, we would recommend sizing down at least one size for jeans known for moderate to extreme stretching. While the jeans may initially fit a bit snug, they will sit more comfortably in 10 to 20 days of wear.

 

[chronoaug]

I'd reccomend new raw denim buyers to size down anyways because chances are they're wearing their jeans a size too big like most of american men. Just inform them when shopping instore that if they think it's a bit too snug when trying them on, that they will stretch and be more comfortable after a few wears. I wouldn't reccoment buying jeans that are really uncomfortable at first hoping they'll stretch to tolerable. Despite the misconception that skinny jeans are nut hugging and uncomfortable and some of my jeans being among the skinniest on the forum, they're all pretty comfortable. More so than my old PBJs which were considerably wider at the hem/thighs.