LS&Co. Unzipped

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Oct 26 2010

How to...Make Those 501® Jeans Your Own

To really appreciate a pair of Levi’s® 501® Shrink-To-Fit® jeans, you have to make them your own. Because, honestly, no one care wear ‘em like you do, right?

With that in mind, we wanted to share a few tips.

This may not be the easiest start to caring for your jeans, but it gets easier and – in fact – uses less of the planet’s natural resources, namely energy and water.

Step 1 Purchase your jeans in your true size.

Step 2 Wear them out of the store (after you buy them).

Step 3 Live in them as long as possible.

Step 4 Wash them as little as possible.

Step 5 When wash time finally arrives, soak for 20 minutes with a capful of Dr. Bronner’s Soap. Keep in mind, the hotter the water, the more they shrink. To preserve the color, turn your 501™ jeans inside out, replace the warm water with cold water and add a cup of vinegar.

Step 6 Let them drip dry until they are slightly damp.

Step 7 Put them back on – ideally on a warm day or when you can sit by a fire.

Step 8 As they dry, they’ll shape to your body.

Step 9 Enjoy!

Check out the fun poster below. You can even click to download and print!

Shrink to Fit Jeans Poster

Posted By: Cory Warren, Editor, LS&Co. Unzipped

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Tags: Dockers®,Levi's®

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Chris Popov - Public (not verified) - Apr 16 2012

I have used Dr Bronner soap for 30 years and only worn 501s for the last 50 years, but never heard of soaking in Dr Bronner. What does the Dr B soap soak do?

Editor's note: Hi Chris. My understanding is that, in this case, Dr. Bronner's is a gentle soap that, when diluted, cleans the jeans without overcleaning and shouldn't harm your skin. You may want to check the Dr. Bronner's website for more information about its use.

Mike (not verified) - Mar 07 2012

Sometimes it's hard to keep a regimen like that on a busy schedule, am I doomed if my 501's get thrown in with the regular wash/dry loads?

Editor's note: You're not doomed! Everyone's different. This is just one way to have your jeans fit your body, but you may like yours -- as they are -- just fine! Thanks for asking!

Adam W (not verified) - Nov 13 2011

I just bought a pair of 501 STFs in my correct size. Not planning to wash them until absolutely necessary and then only in a cold tub. Just wondering if anyone has done this successfully. Do the legs real not shrink at all?

Editor's note: Thanks for the question. So to be safe, we say you can expect them to shrink 1" to 3". I just checked with a buddy of mine and he says he's done this -- actually sat in his bathtub in cold water, wearing the jeans, and, then, hung them up to dry. He said his shrank -- is that a word? -- about 1/4". I'm guessing the water is the issue, so over time, you could probably expect shrinkage of more than 1/4". Good luck. Let me know how it turns out.

Danilo valdez (not verified) - Feb 28 2011

Thanks for these tips, i do handwashing..i change in uniform at work, and my 501's. So, i only wear my jeans from home to work and from work to home, they are not that filthy. So i try to wash them once a week, at least. ~Dvaldez/philippines

Justin (not verified) - Nov 11 2010

So, for this technique, when they say buy jeans "in your true size" - does this mean that you would NOT size them up as it says on the tag and get one that just fit ?

Editor's note: Hi, Justin! You've got it right. Buy the jeans as if you were going to walk out of the store in them and not expect them to shrink. Since you won't be washing them in warm or hot water -- right??? -- and since you will only air dry them -- right??? -- as opposed to putting them in a heated gas or electric dryer, they'll be perfect...and only moreso over time! I just bought a pair of Levi's® 505s™ in Cone denim, and am starting the same process. It was difficult for me to not want to buy a larger size, but I did it! Let me know how it goes for you.

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