Whether you’re exploring a vintage shop or snagging your latest find from the men’s section, one thing is certain: The perfect shirt is not always the perfect size.
Although oversized shapes have dominated the last few seasons, more fitted cuts remain a useful wardrobe piece. With winter fully underway, the days of simply wearing a shirt as is are well and truly gone. The cooler temperatures require layering up, and adding a cardigan, jumper and coat over an oversized shirt can begin to feel less than put-together. Here's where the fitted shirt comes in. A more formfitting silhouette lets you layer up for even the coldest ventures into the office whilst retaining a chic ensemble.
At Who What Wear, we're all about making the most out of your clothing, both to reduce waste and also make the most of your investment. Luckily, shrinking a shirt is a lot easier than you may think, and bringing your favourite button-down down a size can be achieved in just a couple hours. As long as your oversized style is made from cotton (and isn’t already pre-shrunk), these helpful tips are well worth giving a try.
Read on to discover exactly how to shrink a shirt in two simple ways.
The Boiling Method
There are a couple of effective methods for shrinking a shirt, and one of the easiest is by boiling it. Simply heat up a pot of water, and then shut off the stove as soon as it reaches a boil. Drop the shirt in the water immediately, and then let it sit for about five minutes.
If you’re looking for a more serious degree of shrinkage, you can leave the shirt in the water for up to 20 minutes. The longer the shirt is left in the water, the further it will shrink, but obviously, there’s a limit to this magic. Most shirts will only shrink up to a maximum of 20% in size.
Once you’re finished soaking the shirt, remove it from the water using a pair of tongs or a wooden spoon. Once the shirt has cooled off enough to touch, wring it out and examine your progress. The boiling process can be repeated as many times as you need to achieve the desired results.
The Washer/Dryer Method
As you may have at one point discovered accidentally, shrinking a shirt may be as simple as cranking up the heat in your washer and dryer. First, wash the shirt on the hottest setting your washing machine will allow. If you’re washing your shirt with other items, be sure to only include similar colours and to avoid anything that’s likely to bleed.
Be sure to turn printed styles inside out, and beware of fragile or vintage pieces: This method of washing can be damaging to thin or delicate fabrics. Next, run your shirt through the dryer on the hottest setting.
Final Words of Wisdom
Knowing how to shrink a shirt can be a brilliant way to customise your closet, but be careful: Ultra-high heat can be tough on fabrics, so shrink with caution. Be sure to try it on between rounds of shrinking to ensure the perfect fit, and you’ll be ready to show off your favourite new (old) shirt in no time.
SHOP THE KEY BUYS
Remember, these tricks only work on cotton.
Love the colour but not the shape? Time to shrink this shirt.
Such a timeless colour.
Don't miss out on this chic beige shirt.
This even works on your cotton denim shirts!
The collar detail adds a French touch.
An easy piece to throw on with jeans for an off-duty look.
So many great outfit formulas require a slick shirt.
Reiss has such great tailored pieces.
Stripes are eternally in style.
A white shirt comes in handy all year round.
I love the utility elements on this one.
Make this crisp shirt the one with these shrinking techniques.
The colour-blocking is a nice touch.
This piece originally appeared on Who What Wear U.S. and has since been updated.
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