Clothes that have become too big
Short answer: If clothes get bigger over time, the fabric has stretched. It usually happens when wet clothes are hung on a hanger, or when the elastane in the fabric has worn out from tumble dryer heat or too hot a wash.
Wet clothes stretch
The weight of the water pulls on the fabric while it hangs to dry. Heavy items like jumpers and dresses in particular get longer and wider when they hang wet on a hanger or over a line. Lay heavy items flat to dry and ease them into shape while they are still damp.
Worn elastane
Elastane is what makes the fabric spring back after wear. It loses its grip from heat, and then the fabric no longer returns to shape. The clothes bag at the knees, elbows and waist. Read more in why there is elastane in bamboo clothing.
Can it be fixed
A wash at 40 degrees and drying flat often pull the fabric in a little, because the fibres relax in the water. It works best when the clothes are simply stretched from wear. If the elastane is worn out, washing will not help, as the stretch itself is gone.
The size from the start
If a garment was big from the beginning, it will not get smaller by itself. Bamboo viscose has a soft drape, so a size that feels a little loose when you try it on can feel looser after a few weeks of wear. Check the measurements before ordering. See the size guide.
Avoid the tumble dryer
Heat from the tumble dryer is the main cause of worn elastane. It can also make the fabric shrink, so the garment both gets smaller and loses its stretch. Air drying is the safest choice for bamboo clothing. The remaining rules are in the washing guide.
Underwear that sits loose
Underwear is where worn elastane is felt first, because it has to fit closely and is washed often. When the waistband no longer holds, the elastane is used up. Wash at 40 degrees and air dry, and it lasts longer. See the basics in bamboo underwear for women.
See also
Clothes that become too big are often one of the first signs of wear. Other signs are thin fabric, pilling and seams that start to give. More about wear in how to tell that clothes are worn out.
Storage
Clothes that hang on a hanger for a long time can also stretch, especially heavy ones. Fold jumpers and knitwear and put them on a shelf. Then gravity is not pulling on them all the time, and they keep their shape better between wears.
What you can use it for
If a top has become too big, it can often still be worn at home, where the fit matters less. Loose clothes are comfortable for a quiet evening on the sofa. See bamboo loungewear for women.
In short
Lay wet clothes flat, avoid heat and choose the right size from the start. Then the clothes keep their shape for as long as possible. Once stretched, a wash at 40 degrees can give a little back, but worn elastane does not return.
Frequently asked questions
Why do clothes get bigger?
Because the fabric has stretched from hanging wet, or because the elastane has worn out from heat. In both cases the fabric no longer fully returns to shape after wear.
Can they be pulled back in?
A wash at 40 degrees and drying flat can give a little back when the clothes are only stretched. If the elastane is worn out, it will not help, because the stretch itself is gone.
How do I stop clothes getting too big?
Lay heavy items flat to dry, avoid the tumble dryer and fold jumpers instead of hanging them. Also check the size before ordering, so the clothes fit from the start.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
