Levi's 501 STF Wash Info

February 7, 2007 @ 04:40 PM
1ahB

Post: 858

Join Date: Nov 2006

Ive researched and read pretty much the entire official denim thread. There is some great info that I gained but I still have a few questions. Most people talk about preshrinking technics with 501 STFs since there obviously made to be done like that. And they talk about the methods of shrinking them without fading when you first buy them. But others talk about treating them like selvage and not washing them for 6 months, than dry cleaning and all that. If you treat them like selvage and dont wash them do you just buy true to size rather than sizing up 1-2 like normal? Also im wondering what kind of length theyve got. Im 6'1 and waist 34. I was thinking 32 length. So my question is if I dont pre-shrink these badboys should I be buying a 34/32? Thanks in advance. Im basically looking for dark rigid straight legged jeans for cheap 30-70$ and would like that shine to them. Maybe I should go a completely different path?
February 7, 2007 @ 04:48 PM
maydenchina

Post: 6

Join Date: Sep 2006

WEll, I went the 'selvage' way, but I didn't buy them true-to-fit. They fit snugg at first, but now they have stretched out. (after almost 2 months wear) I'm normally 29-30 x 30 but i bought 31x32.

I just wear a belt now and they are nice, a tad too long for me, but i like them. Once i get my first soak/wash, they should be perfect.
February 7, 2007 @ 04:57 PM
Peter Suh

Post: 5483

Join Date: Nov 2008

Let's say you don't do an initial shrink/wash whatever.. you wear them for 6 stinky months. You decide to wash them finally.. and they shrink. Viola! Jeans that don't fit and creases that don't match! |0
February 7, 2007 @ 11:30 PM
RELY

Post: 66

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: San Francisco

if you dont soak them before you wear them, i hear that your creases will shift.
February 8, 2007 @ 04:57 PM
maydenchina

Post: 6

Join Date: Sep 2006

I dont think so, you prolly will have to wear them like, 6 months or more for that to happen.

I just soaked mine last night, the waist shrunk back to the 31 i bought it in and the legs were a bit tighter and only a tad shorter. Put em on and the creases were still normal and the same. (also, they didnt stink at all yet)

I would just advise a soak at 2 months maximum if you don't wanna mess up. I can't try waiting longer since i just soaked these.


And today the waist stretched back to like a 32 so now I have to wear my belt again.
February 9, 2007 @ 11:03 AM
the_state

Post: 556

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: NYC - the be all, en...

does the inseam really shrink 2-3 inches after a soak? i just got some stf's in a 32L that are a bit too long, but if they shrink that much they'll be way too short. should i have any reason to believe that a soak will shrink them nearly that much?
February 9, 2007 @ 05:07 PM
Peter Suh

Post: 5483

Join Date: Nov 2008

What's wrong with soaking them before you wear them??
February 9, 2007 @ 06:00 PM
RELY

Post: 66

Join Date: Feb 2007

Location: San Francisco

What's wrong with soaking them before you wear them??


Your suppose to soak them before wearing. The inseam does shrink but I would just size up 2 instead of 3 unless you like stacking.
February 10, 2007 @ 03:53 PM
Flatland Funk

Post: 4144

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: Lauderhill,Fl

I bought some 511s in 32X30. I like the fit. I thought i was a 32, but these fit a bit loose. If i wanted to achieve that fit with 501 STFs what would i have to do to them or can it even be done
February 15, 2007 @ 08:50 PM

Inactive

I was wondering how to soak them as well, in terms of temperature and method.
More importantly, how long?

Thanks.
February 16, 2007 @ 03:05 AM
sumire

Post: 20

Join Date: Jan 2007

wear them, sit in a tub of water, let them shrink til they start to strangle you.
February 16, 2007 @ 03:20 AM

Inactive

Then waht you gotta do?

I did a luke warm, but more of the cooler side. Didn't wanna shrink it too much, but will it continue to shrink or is the 1st wash the onl time?

thanks.
February 18, 2007 @ 02:36 PM
snkrluvr

Post: 41

Join Date: Jan 2007

Location: SF

STFs are garbage for forming whiskers and honeycombs when soaked. So to get best creases buy your True Size waist since they will stretch out over wear, buy a length that has some stacking since it will shrink when washed. Wear em for a full year with sprayin disinfectant and axe from time to time. Then wash, and if it's true that honeycombs will shift, you'll have a sexy tiger print on the back of your pants...
February 18, 2007 @ 03:13 PM
41sde

Post: 37

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: Queens,NY/Winston-Sa...

I plan on copin a pair but I dont wanna loose the color after the first wash im not big on the honeycomb thing I just like the color wht temp do you suggest I wash them on to keep the dark indigo color.
February 18, 2007 @ 06:19 PM
c.lopez

Post: 1522

Join Date: Sep 2006

32 lenght is not long anough for a 6'1 kid. cuz if you dont even soak them and say they get wet in the rain them shits wont fit you. get at least 36 length.. thats right 36. there is a reason they make em that long. also, size down 1-2 inches on your waist because if you or dont soak em intially they will stretch out.. alottttt.. so be cautious of that. no matter whcih way you treat em the end result will basically remain the same. i have to pairs. ONe i soaked intially and the inseam shrunk 3 inches and then another pair i have now sz 38 x 40. the waist has stretched out to bout a 40 and theyre looking great w.o a soak yet.

yea just remember,, when u soak em to make sure you wear them from the time they are damp until they dry.. or else youll have to donate them to your baby brother!
February 18, 2007 @ 06:20 PM
c.lopez

Post: 1522

Join Date: Sep 2006

I plan on copin a pair but I dont wanna loose the color after the first wash im not big on the honeycomb thing I just like the color wht temp do you suggest I wash them on to keep the dark indigo color.


do nto wash them cuz they will fade and they will NOT fit u nemore. just do a cold or warm soak and that will be good enough. hallelujah holla back!
February 20, 2007 @ 10:06 PM
DunkPunk

Post: 4593

Join Date: Jun 2006

Location: L.A.

are theese raw jeans?

CURRENTLY IN LONDON.

February 23, 2007 @ 12:30 PM
Darkadious

Post: 332

Join Date: Apr 2006

do nto wash them cuz they will fade and they will NOT fit u nemore. just do a cold or warm soak and that will be good enough. hallelujah holla back!

soaks will do the same thing as a wash basically...and they do stretch back
February 23, 2007 @ 01:27 PM
Flatland Funk

Post: 4144

Join Date: Oct 2006

Location: Lauderhill,Fl

I wanna cop a pair today or tomorrow. I thought i was 32 like i said b4, but my 511s fit loose and i can sag em easy. I wanna size down so they fit liek 511s
February 23, 2007 @ 09:23 PM

Inactive

They've stretched out considerably after 5-10 wears and I am unfound of it.

I've shrinked them once.

I will do a warmer/hotter wash and see how it goes. I got a 35 x 32 and it looks the same as any typical levis even after the wash.

Perhaps I hsould've gotten 34x30 or something and it'll wear out being the same. damn, good thing i'm experimenting on cheaper denim.
February 27, 2007 @ 04:02 PM
soundbomber

Post: 2595

Join Date: Jan 2007

I sized up 1" at the waist and 3" at the inseam, did a hot machine wash soak for about 45 minutes, then rinsed and spun out the excess water and wore them to dry cross legged for about an hour and then did squats for about an hour.

After a few months of constant wear and tear, the creases are setting in nicely.
February 27, 2007 @ 04:11 PM
JesseBrahh

Post: 1060

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: FL

i bought a size and got lucky
February 28, 2007 @ 07:08 PM
Smurf

Post: 775

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: Toronto

Intutively, it seems like you all are suggesting that I should just take a nice hot shower with my jeans on.

I'm gonna buy some Raw 501 STFs soon. I'm debating on how I should treat them initially.
March 1, 2007 @ 02:55 AM
Smurf

Post: 775

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: Toronto

Also, should I size up/size down?
March 1, 2007 @ 06:40 PM
Leumas

Post: 1915

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: los - man - yyz

i thought STFs were selvedge?
March 1, 2007 @ 06:42 PM
Smurf

Post: 775

Join Date: Aug 2006

Location: Toronto

young, selvage ones sell for at least 180 USD.

The STFs you see with $46 USD price tags, which are the same as ones that you can find in department stores in the states and Over THe Rainbow at Yorkville, are all non-selvage.
March 1, 2007 @ 07:12 PM
the_state

Post: 556

Join Date: Sep 2006

Location: NYC - the be all, en...

i'd say stay true to size. they will shink initially, but stretch out a ton after wear. size up on the inseam by 2 inches though.

i wore mine for about 5 days to loosen them up a bit, and did a luke warm soak for about 1.5 hours (inside out, to prevent indigo loss). i let them drip dry for about 10-15 minutes, and wore them til they dried out. so far they're looking great, and i've only had them for under 2 weeks.

what really will help you out, which seems really excessive at first, is STARCH. really help you get those honeycombs and whiskers...
March 1, 2007 @ 07:26 PM
Leumas

Post: 1915

Join Date: Nov 2006

Location: los - man - yyz

thanks for the clarification
March 1, 2007 @ 10:04 PM
SiLK83out

Post: 149

Join Date: Oct 2006

sorry for the ignorance here....

but could someone post pics of these honeycombs and whiskers?
March 6, 2007 @ 10:25 AM
Forlan

Post: 203

Join Date: Sep 2006

My current plan with these is ordering a pair in size 34x38.

I want it to have a pretty slim fit, since it'll still strech out where necessary for extra comfortability. My size in 511 slim is 33x34 and 33x34 on slim evisu's and puma evisus as well. And I don't mind the jeans stacking at the ankles.

So would size 34x38 be good for forming similar fit. I'm going to have a hot shower in them first and if that doesn't shrink them enough, maybe wash them in a hot cycle before use. Should I even get 34x40 if I like s stacking fit? That'd be sizing up 6" on the lenght though.

Someone mentioned that starch could help forming honeycombs. How should it be used? Just applied on some parts of the jeans?
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