Getting clothes that are the perfect fit can be a bit of a struggle. We don’t all conform to specific sizes and different manufacturers have their own ideas on the natural shape of the human body. So, we are sometimes left with items that aren’t quite right but, we still bought them anyway because we love the design or print. Instead of dealing with buyer’s remorse later on when trying to squeeze into these garments, we can instead try stretching out these small clothes.
How To Stretch Out Clothes That Are Too Small
The short answer here on how to make clothes bigger is that you need to go through a three-step process of soaking, stretching, and air-drying your item of clothing. When you do all three correctly, making use of conditioners and even a bit of gravity, you could find that the garment is significantly bigger and much more comfortable to wear. This is a great idea for t-shirts, sweatshirts, jeans and more.
I find that even my polyester clothes can shrink at times. It’s a good idea to know what material your clothes are made from and read the clothing label to best handle your clothes and decrease the odds of them shrinking.
7 Simple Ways to Make Your Clothes Look and Feel Bigger
- Wear a slip or petticoat underneath your dress. This will add some extra volume and make your dress look fuller.
- Tuck in your shirt. This will create the illusion of a bigger shirt and give you some extra breathing room.
- Wear a belt. This will cinch in your waist and make your shirt or dress look bigger on top.
- Add some fabric to the bottom of your shirt or dress. This can be done by adding a ruffle, pleats, or even just some extra fabric at the hem.
- Wear a cardigan or jacket over your shirt or dress. This will add some extra bulk and make your clothes look bigger overall.
- Use a shapewear piece. This can be a great way to add some extra room to tight or formfitting clothes.
- Wear clothing in a bigger size. If all else fails, just go up a size! This will give you more breathing room and make your clothes look and feel bigger.
Soaking Clothes In Warm Water
The first step is to get these items soaking in warm water. You don’t want the water to be too hot that it puts the fibers at risk of damage. At the same time, you don’t want it to be too cold to the point that the solution below isn’t effective. The optimal temperature is around 30 degrees Celsius.
Can You Use A Washing Machine When Stretching Clothes?
There are pros and cons to using a washing machine. On the one hand, you have a controlled cycle where you know precisely how hot the water is and can be sure that it doesn’t go above 30 degrees Celsius. This is more difficult when using a tub, unless you have a temperature control on the water supply to your bathtub. However, this can be a waste of water for one item of clothing. A small amount of water in a basin is more economical. Also, you can add the additional ingredients of your choice for a better result. Many natural products are safe for washing machines, but it is better to be safe than sorry.
What Should You Put In The Water When Figuring Out How To Make Clothes Bigger?
Lots of people figuring out how to stretch clothes that are too small will stick with a simple tub of water. This can work just fine for reshaping garments. However, there are other options. Extra “ingredients” can soak into the material and treat the fibers. This then makes them much easier to manipulate later on. Vinegar is one option, although it is understandable if you don’t want this smelly acidic liquid near your new clothes. Others use baking soda, which has that added benefit of acting as a deodorizer. The winner, however, is hair conditioner. Not only is this a great way of softening and treating the fibers – as though they were hair – but you know you are getting a scent that you like.
Stretching Out The Clothes Into A Better Shape.
Once soaked through and hand-washed in that pleasant solution, the garment is ready for manipulation. Start by getting rid of the excess water. Ideally, you want to carefully squeeze it out rather than wringing it out to avoid unnecessary damage. You can also use a towel to soak up a lot of moisture. Then, you can start pulling the fabric out in different directions to get the shape that you want. With careful work and the right drying technique afterward, you may even find that the item is a full size bigger than before.
How Should You Dry Your Clothes When Stretching Them Out?
The most important thing to do here is to leave the garment to dry naturally. Air-drying means that there is no risk of damage from the movement or the heat of a dryer. The last thing that you want to do is shrink the item back to where it was by rushing the process in a machine. While some people are happy to leave the item on the towel they used before, others advocate hanging it up on a hanger. The idea here is that the gravity at work on the item will make it hang more naturally and give it a little extra stretch. You could do this over a towel rail or door handle with something underneath to catch any drips.
What About Leaving It Out In The Sun?
Again some people have no problem leaving their stretched clothing out in the sun to speed up the drying process. They may put it on a washing line or over the back of a chair. It certainly puts it out of the way while drying. But, you do have to be careful that it doesn’t get too hot. Intense direct sunlight could cause heat damage and lessen the effect of the stretching process.
Can You Wear Items To Stretch Them Out?
There is an alternative process that we need to consider here as it is quite popular. Some people buy jeans that are a little too skinny that will wear them in a bathtub, let the fabric soak, and then wear them around the house until they dry. The upside is that you can gain some inches with ease and get a fit tailored to your body. The downside is the possible discomfort in wearing those wet jeans in a bath and for however long they take to dry again. It might be quicker and easier to have someone use the shower head on you instead, but you are just as wet.
For Our Visual Learners
Here’s a good visual demonstration of the steps described above. I know I learn better with a visual demonstration or hands on then simply reading. I also like being able to actually see this technique work.
How To Stretch Clothes That Are Too Small.
In summary, learning how to make clothes bigger isn’t too difficult. It is possible to not only stretch small garments but to get a good fit with minimal effort. Make sure to pay attention to the water temperature and conditioner in your tub. Be careful stretching the fibers into the right shape. Then, use the longer method of air-drying to avoid any heat damage. With practice, you could find that this works on all kinds of new clothes, thrift store finds, and more.