Jeans too tight and digging into you? Here are five nifty ways to widen them
Guide

Jeans too tight and digging into you? Here are five nifty ways to widen them

Laura Scholz
19/8/2024
Translation: Katherine Martin

Squeezing into a pair of too-tight jeans in the morning pretty much ruins your day. So, instead of spending hours sucking in your belly and fiddling with the fabric digging into your skin, try one of these five tricks.

We’ve probably all been there. For some «inexplicable» reason, your favourite jeans are suddenly far too tight, and it takes a strenuous bout of tugging and squeezing to button them up. Once the jeans are finally on, they reward your so-called win by cutting into your waist, pinching at your crotch and generally causing a whole lot of discomfort.

But before you dump your treacherous trousers at the nearest clothing bank, it’s worth giving them another chance. Try one of these five tips recommended by denim experts instead.

1. Spray them with warm water

Jennifer Kim, Senior Design Director at AG Jeans, revealed this foolproof piece of denim first aid in an interview with Cosmopolitan. Pour warm water into a spray bottle and spray the problem area, e.g. the waistband or thigh area, both inside and out. You can then gradually stretch the fabric by hand.

2. Use a steamer or iron

Levi’s Global Vice President for Women’s Design, Jill Guenza recommends a trick based on an identical principle. In the same Cosmo interview, Guenza suggests heating and dampening your jeans with a steamer or iron. Then, simply repeat the final stage of tip number one.

3. Try a waistband stretcher

Just as there are stretchers to keep unworn shoes and hats in shape, you can also get stretchers for trousers. They’re often referred to as waist- or waistband stretchers. If you pop one of into the waistband of your jeans while they’re still damp, you can prevent the fabric from constricting too much.

4. Stuff your jeans

Don’t have a waistband stretcher? Alternatively, you can stuff your problem jeans with rolled-up towels, cushions or balls of paper to stretch them out while you’re not wearing them.

5. Get some button- or waistband extensions

A couple of extra centimetres of breathing room will boost your quality of life – and with small tools such as button- or waistband extensions, you can achieve it in a jiffy. The individual buttons come with flexible loops or tabs, and can be easily positioned between the jeans button and buttonhole like a connector.

Avoid shrinking your jeans in the wash

Ideally, you won’t need to use any of these tips because you’ve been sticking to the golden rules of washing jeans. If not, you can read all about them here:

  • Guide

    I swear, you wash your jeans too often

    by Laura Scholz

Header image: Romina Farías

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