The myth that you should stretch new clothes before wearing them
Short answer: New clothes with elastane are made to stretch and recover. Stretching them on purpose before wearing often does more harm than good, and if a garment does not fit, the size is wrong.
Where the advice comes from
In the past, a lot of clothing was made from stiff materials such as heavy denim and thick wool, which became more supple with wear. That is where the advice to break clothes in or stretch them out comes from. Modern knits with elastane behave differently. They are designed to give when you move and to pull back afterwards. If you pull hard on them before the first wear, you risk overstretching the fibres for good.
What happens when you overstretch
Elastane is an elastic fibre, but it has a limit. If it is stretched too far, especially when the fabric is wet or warm, it loses some of its recovery. Waistbands then go slack, and the fabric bags at the knees and elbows. Viscose also gives when wet and can lose its shape if it is pulled. That is why clothes with elastane and viscose should be treated gently from the very start, both when wearing and when washing them.
If it does not fit, the size is wrong
If a bra, a pair of socks or a top feels too tight from the start, it rarely goes away. It may soften a little after the first few washes, but not by a whole size. Clothes that are too tight leave marks on the skin and can rub. It is better to exchange them for a size that fits. See bamboo bra without underwire, where the underband should sit firmly without squeezing or leaving deep marks.
Wash before the first wear
It makes sense to wash new clothes before wearing them, especially underwear and socks. It removes excess dye and any residue from production and transport. Wash at a low temperature with a mild detergent and let the garment dry flat or hanging. Do not wring it, as that pulls the fabric out of shape. After the wash the fibres settle, and the garment takes on the shape it was meant to have from the start.
Socks and footies
Many people pull new socks hard over their hand to make them wider. That strains the knit at the heel and toe and can lead to holes sooner. Choose the right size instead, and put the sock on by rolling it up from the toe. That spreads the stretch evenly. This matters most with short styles, where the edge needs to stay put without slipping down under the heel. See bamboo footies for women.
Textiles that soften with use
Some textiles really do get softer over time, such as woven cotton fabrics and towels, where the fibres loosen a little with every wash. That happens by itself and needs no stretching. Blankets and throws can also feel stiff at first and become more supple with use. See Nordic Weaving. Let time and washing do the work rather than pulling at the fabric yourself.
Frequently asked questions
Should you stretch new clothes before wearing them
No. Clothes with elastane are made to give and recover. Overstretching can leave them slack.
Do tight clothes loosen with time
Only a little. They rarely gain a whole size, so it is better to exchange for the right size.
Should new underwear be washed before wearing
It is a good idea. A gentle wash removes excess dye and any residue from production.
You can find the full range at Bamboo-Clothing.com.
