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Is Denim really this complicated?

jtran33

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Hi there.

So I've been reading styleforums for a long time here. Basically everyday for while now. But after all of this. I just continue finding new things I have to worry about. I do not feel I understand raw denim at all.

I'm going to Japan pretty soon and I plan on picking up some Japanese denim there.

Problem is I don't think I know what I'm getting myself into.

Is my denim going stretch or shrink?
Is there a way of knowing if my jeans are sanforized?
Do I need to give it a soak before wearing?
How do I know if it's One-wash or raw?

To be honest I'm just a bit scared. I don't want to come home with my expensive japanese denim and realize they don't fit. I know you all are gonna tell me to search or read more. But really, I've read for a long time and I'm still lost. So any help is appreciated really.

Thanks!
 

Pilot

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jtran33

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I thought that I'd get those responses. I shall read more I guess!

But since I already made a thread. CAn you answer my main questions?

How do I know if my jeans are sanforized/stretch vs. shrink?

Thanks.
 

PG2G

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Originally Posted by jtran33
How do I know if my jeans are sanforized/stretch vs. shrink?

Ask the person selling them, look at the tags, or know before hand by doing your research.
 

Joshua Arson

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Originally Posted by jtran33
I thought that I'd get those responses. I shall read more I guess!

But since I already made a thread. CAn you answer my main questions?

How do I know if my jeans are sanforized/stretch vs. shrink?

Thanks.


All jeans stretch, some more than others. All jeans shrink when washed/soaked, some more than others depending on if they're sanforized or not. Sanforized jeans still shrink, just not as drastically.
 

JoelF

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The chance of getting it right on your first pair of $250+ raw denim is virtually zero. Best to budget for 2 or 3 test pairs, plus the one that finally works.
 

Baron

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It's not that complicated. Sanfordized jeans are marked as such on the tags - certainly so in the premium brands. If you're buying in person, they salesperson will help you. If you end up not liking your first pair as much as you hoped, that's life. You'll do better with your next pair.
 

jtran33

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Thanks for the responses guys! I'll try not to make anymore newbie threads in the future. haha.
 

laphroaig

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If you're trying on one wash or sanforised jeans, make sure they fit tight because they will stretch.
If you're trying on raw jeans, make sure they fit well because they will shrink after the first hot soak and stretch out again after a bit of wear.

Depending on the jeans, they may never get back all the way to the raw size or they may stretch to bigger than when raw. Some jeans just stretch more than others, so before you leave, read up on the brands and models you are interested in to find out how much people think they end up stretching and compensate based on that.

Finally, ALWAYS do one hot wash (with or without detergent) or at one hot soak of raw jeans before wearing them to destruction.
 

Orange

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Here are the rules I abide by and they're the ones you should follow too if you're going for the fades and creases.

If we're talking about raw denim put on a size where you can just button the jeans. They should be slightly uncomfortable at this point but they'll stretch out and you'll be thankful you didn't go for a bigger size later.

Don't do a wash before wearing them. It fades better if you wear it for a while before the first wash.

When you need to wash it, do it in cold water and then hang dry them. Doing so will ensure that they won't shrink as much from the hot water or from the dryer.
 

JoelF

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Originally Posted by laphroaig
Finally, ALWAYS do one hot wash (with or without detergent) or at one hot soak of raw jeans before wearing them to destruction.

Ummm, why?
 

JonB27

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My advice is to try and figure out which jeans you want: cut, style, etc... Sufu has A lot of information on specific brands, you can read about sizing, stretching, soaking, etc...

The jeans will stretch with wear, that is why people usually size down... Once you wash them down the road they will shrink..

Depending on whether they are sanforized or unsanforized you will soak them initially to get the shrinking out of the way. (soaking is for raw not one wash)

Like others have stated when you go to Japan the salesperson should be able to guide you in the right direction.
 

givemefive

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Originally Posted by JoelF
Ummm, why?

Because if you wash them after you destroy them the jeans will shrink and the destruction will be in the wrong spots
 

Orange

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Originally Posted by givemefive
Because if you wash them after you destroy them the jeans will shrink and the destruction will be in the wrong spots

The jeans will shrink as in contract. The fabric themselves do not shift lol. The destruction will look different but I don't see how they would be in the wrong spots so to say.
 

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