How to Stretch a Denim Jacket

Co-authored by Emily Zahniser and Janice Tieperman

Last Updated: December 4, 2024

Denim jackets are a timeless fashion statement, and can last for years when maintained properly. If your jean jacket feels too tight, you don’t have to grin and bear it; instead, use a few simple strategies to loosen and tug at the tight areas of the denim. You can do this by spraying the jacket with lukewarm water and physically stretching it out, or physically wearing the garment to stretch it on-the-go. Be patient with your denim—you may be pleasantly surprised at how long it will both fit and last!

Method 1

Method 1 of 2:

Using Lukewarm Water

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Fill a spray bottle with lukewarm water. Add at least 1 cup (240 mL) of water into an empty spray container.^{[1]
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Research source} Aim for the water to be around 90 to 95 °F (32 to 35 °C), instead of boiling or tap cold.^{[2]
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- If the water is too hot, you might end up shrinking your denim.
- Some spray bottles come with a “spray” and “stream” setting on the nozzle. To cover more fabric at once, make sure that the bottle is set to “spray.”
Place your garment on a clothes hanger, and hang it in an open area where you can spray the fabric easily. Squirt lukewarm water all over the material, focusing on the tightest parts of the fabric, like the armpit and shoulder area. Spray down the jacket until it’s damp, but not dripping wet.^{[3]
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Tip: Try hanging your jacket up in the laundry room, or in an empty portion of your closet.

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Lay your jacket on a flat surface. Take the damp garment and set it on the floor, taking a moment to flatten out any obvious folds or wrinkles from the fabric. If you’d prefer not to keep your jacket on the floor, place the denim on a different surface, like an ironing board or bedspread.^{[4]
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- It’s difficult to stretch out fabric on an uneven surface.
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Tug at the sleeves and tight areas of your wet denim. Use both hands to pull at your denim, focusing on the seams. Hold the sleeve or shoulder area in place with one hand, then use the other to yank on this portion of fabric. Don’t worry about pulling on the denim too much, as it’s a very durable material.^{[5]
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- Pull on the same areas multiple times to get the maximum amount of stretch.
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Keep the jacket flat until it fully dries. Set the garment in an open area where it can be exposed to plenty of open air. Don’t place the jacket in the machine, as this can cause the fabric to shrink. Instead, wait several hours until the denim is dry to the touch.^{[6]
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- Check on the material every few hours to see if it’s dry.
If the material is still too tight, try repeating the spritzing and stretching process. If the jacket is too loose, there are several ways to shrink the denim to a more natural fit. Once the denim jacket fits comfortably, feel free to hang it back up in your closet!^{[7]
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Method 2

Method 2 of 2:

Wearing the Jacket to Stretch It

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Soak the denim jacket in lukewarm water to get it completely damp. Place the jacket in a lukewarm wash cycle to drench the material completely. To make the material even softer and more pliable, try washing it with a fabric softener, as well.^{[8]
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- At this point, feel free to pull at some of the tighter portions of fabric, like the shoulders and underarm areas.
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Slide on your wet jacket so you can stretch it out. Wear your denim jacket as you usually would, focusing on the tightest, most constricting portions of material. Work your arms and shoulders into these areas, forcing the material to accommodate to your desired fit.^{[9]
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- While this may feel uncomfortable, wearing your wet jacket is a more efficient way to stretch your denim. For your own convenience and comfort, do this at home.
Tip: You can also get your denim wet by wearing your jacket in a lukewarm shower or bath.^{[10]
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Perform several arm stretches while wearing the jacket. Pull 1 arm across your chest, holding it in place with your opposite elbow. Repeat this with your other arm to fully stretch the sleeves. Try experimenting with other arm stretches that force the material around the shoulder and underarm area to expand.^{[11]
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- These stretches are most effective while the denim is still wet.
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Avoid placing your jacket into the clothes dryer. Let your garment begin to dry as you wear it, or hang it up to air-dry naturally. If you toss the jacket into the dryer, you could risk the material shrinking again, which would cancel out all of your hard work! Instead, hang up the jacket in an open area, allowing it to try over a day or so.^{[12]
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- Don’t wear the jacket until it’s completely dry to the touch.
- Since denim can take awhile to dry, feel free to hang up the jacket after wearing it for several hours.

Expert Q&A

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How do I stretch shrunken sleeves?

Emily Zahniser
Sewist and Upcycling Expert
Emily Zahniser is a Sewist based in the Pacific Northwest. She designs and sews garments from vintage and antique textiles. Passionate about sustainability, Emily gives new life to discarded and forgotten fabrics, including upcycling home textiles like bedding and table linens, or deadstock bulk fabrics. Through her fashion brand, Saint Clairs Scissors, she carefully sources, cleans, and mends vintage fabrics, crafting one-of-a-kind pieces that blend nostalgia with a modern, timeless twist. She received a BA in Music from University of Washington and attended a Graduate program at Columbia University’s Manhattan School of Music.

Emily Zahniser

Sewist and Upcycling Expert

Expert Answer

You can try inserting something to stretch the area. Maybe some rolled-up towels, bottles, or even your arms if you’re wearing it. If you’re wearing the jacket, move around in it while it dries. Bend your arms, reach forward, and twist your torso to encourage more natural stretching. When your jacket feels stretched enough, let it air dry completely while it's still in the stretched position. Again, avoid using heat dryers, as that can shrink the denim back down. For long-term flexibility, wash your jacket in cold water and let it air dry completely.

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