RRL Icons - Can I shrink them?

[bmulford]

Went through a number of threads but didn't see a satisfactory answer - so posting this here.

I bought a NWT pair of RRL in cream/off white. The tag says they're Japanese Selvedge, straight leg, mid rise. The price tag says they're Double RL icons $385 - if that helps in identifying them.

they fit, ok, but on the loose side without having worn them. I'm wondering if I wash them in HOT and dry them HOT if I can shrink them down a bit.

I understand you're supposed to wear them as long as possible before washing, but as they stand - a day of wearing will probably have them slipping off me.

So can a hot wash/dry cycle get them smaller, or do these need to be flipped to B&S?

 

[voxsartoria]

In my opinion, since your RRLs are not raw indigo or dark denim, there really isn't much point to wearing them in before washing.

How much do you need to tighten them up, and what parts of the jeans are loose?


- B

 

[bmulford]

the waist/butt area's are about an inch too large. The leg is a little looser than I'm accustomed, but I could have them tailored to be a little more form if it really bothered me.

thoughts?

 

[erdawe]

They're cream colored non-indigo jeans so there's no indigo fading to be had. In fact I hot soak all of my non-indigo jeans anyway before I wear them, I'd recommend you try the same. If they shrink any it shouldn't be drastic, they may not shrink at all. So, I'd say it's worth a try to see what shrinking you can get; it's just denim, so water and heat won't really hurt it.

If that doesn't work, you know that they won't shrink further later on... So get them tailored to your liking, maybe using a well fitting jean you currently own as a template for the tailoring.

 

[Tarmac]

They sound like they are pre-rinsed so there won't be much shrinkage in the wash. Now, if you truly need only 1" of shrinkage, continue hot washing and drying might keep them a little tighter.

But, I would prefer to sell them and buy 1 size smaller. I wouldn't try to get them tailored.

 

[bmulford]

thanks all. I'm going to give them a good hot soaking followed by a hot dryer and see what that does. Hopefully that'll get it a bit tighter. If not- a NWOT pair of RRL's will show up on B&S for cheap.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by bmulford

the waist/butt area's are about an inch too large. The leg is a little looser than I'm accustomed, but I could have them tailored to be a little more form if it really bothered me.

thoughts?

Originally Posted by Tarmac

They sound like they are pre-rinsed so there won't be much shrinkage in the wash. Now, if you truly need only 1" of shrinkage, continue hot washing and drying might keep them a little tighter.

But, I would prefer to sell them and buy 1 size smaller. I wouldn't try to get them tailored.

What Tarmac said. One inch of male ass is too much from many different perspectives, including denim fit.

- B

 

[Gus]

I suggest you wear them with your finest suit jacket for a proper look.

 

[voxsartoria]

Originally Posted by bmulford

thanks all. I'm going to give them a good hot soaking followed by a hot dryer and see what that does. Hopefully that'll get it a bit tighter. If not- a NWOT pair of RRL's will show up on B&S for cheap.

It will get tighter, but when you wear it, the denim will sag out again...it's kinda three steps forward, two steps back.

But if you do decide to experiment, report back.


- B

 

[TC (Houston)]

Be careful and work gradually because I was amazed at how much you can shrink a pair of jeans in the dryer when I tried this little experiment a couple of weeks ago. It worked out okay but if the jeans had been any shorter or tighter before I started it would have been a write-off (NWOT on B&S as you say LOL).

 

[Tarmac]

what jeans were they, TC?

 

[A Guy from Shanghai]

I am not sure about RRL...but I tried a couple pairs of other sanforized jeans (one is 7FAM and the other pair is dry AG) in the past by hot soaking them for a few hours followed with hot dryer. Neither pair showed any difference whatsoever (I measured waist and inseam before and after). With my limited experiments, I conclude any "modern" sanforized jeans will not shrink much futher nowadays.

It certainly makes a lot of sense that manufacturers do this for a good reason.

YMMV.

 

[A Harris]

Hot wash first and hang dry. Then try the dryer if necessary. I just hot washed a pair of raw RRL and they lost .75" off the rise, 2" off the waist, 1" off the inseam and about a half inch in leg diameter. They came out just about perfect.

 

[A Guy from Shanghai]

Originally Posted by A Harris

Hot wash first and hang dry. Then try the dryer if necessary. I just hot washed a pair of raw RRL and they lost .75" off the rise, 2" off the waist, 1" off the inseam and about a half inch in leg diameter. They came out just about perfect.

wow, that much

Your are NOT STF, right?

 

[TC (Houston)]

Originally Posted by Tarmac

what jeans were they, TC?

They were the Levi's Capital E's.