You order those picture-perfect leggings, and they arrive, but when you try them on, they seem too tight. The next thing you do is search Do Leggings Stretch Out in hopes of the solution.
Well, you came to the right place. Luckily, there is more than one way to stretch out those tight leggings.
On the flip side, there are also more factors that can lead to the tightening of the fabric. So, if your leggings seem to get tighter over time, weight gain is not the only possibility.
In this article, you’ll learn what makes leggings tighten over time. Keep reading to find out about ways to stretch out your leggings.
Why Should You Stretch Leggings?
It’s a no-brainer – you should stretch your leggings if they don’t fit you well. In other words, you should work on stretching the leggings if they’re too tight.
Nowadays, leggings can be quite expensive. If you just bought a nice pair of leggings and they are too tight, throwing them out and buying new ones is not a wise option.
Another fact is – there are numerous ways to stretch the leggings – as you will see later.
Also, sometimes it’s hard to find the right size of leggings. [1]
Picture this scenario – you try one pair of leggings, and they are definitely too tight for you. They are overly tight, you can’t move in them easily, and the fabric is getting sheer in the tight places.
Naturally, you size up. However, those bigger leggings are way too loose for you.
Say you are eager to have that pair of leggings, so you choose the tighter ones in hopes of stretching them out. That’s another scenario where tips for stretching the leggings out will help!
Do Leggings Stretch Out Over Time?
A short answer to this question is – yes, they certainly do. Most of them do, anyway.
There are several reasons why this usually happens.
First of all, it’s normal for our bodies to change constantly. This is especially the case if you are training on a regular basis.
To add to that, leggings and yoga pants are worn during training. It’s very common for people who train to notice a change in how their clothes fit over time.
If you gained some weight or built some muscle, chances are your gym clothes are going to seem tighter. This (of course) includes the leggings.
Leggings can also stretch out after several wash cycles.
This can depend on the fabric of the leggings, as well. For example, leggings made from stretchy material like spandex can stretch out over time.
Now, let’s look more closely into how this happens. Then, we will give you some advice on how to intentionally stretch out your leggings.
Do Leggings Stretch Out In The Washing Machine?
The general rule is – washing the leggings in the washing machine will make them shrink rather than stretch them.
This, of course, will depend on the washing cycle that you use to wash your gym clothes.
However – most wash cycles in the washing machine use warm to hot water. Hot water is especially known to shrink the fabrics of clothes. [2]
This also applies to your gym clothes. Many sports brands also recommend washing their clothing with cold or lukewarm water for this exact reason.
Cold water won’t shrink the fabric and will most likely have little to no impact on the fabric. So, if you don’t want your leggings to shrink even more, avoid washing them by choosing hot wash cycles.
Another thing worth mentioning is the level of turbulence each wash cycle has.
When clothing goes through a lot of turns and shaking during the wash cycle, this can cause the fabric to shrink.
That is another reason why gentle wash cycles are recommended for clothes prone to shrinking. If you want to stretch your leggings, it’s best to wash them in gentle cold cycles or by hand.
Do Leggings Stretch Out In Cold or Hot Water?
To further clarify the answer to this topic, let’s explain how the fabric reacts to cold and hot water.
By understanding how something as simple as water temperature can change how your clothing appears, you will save yourself a lot of time.
Truth be told – a washing machine can shrink your clothes in both how and cold cycles. This is because a level of turbulence also plays a big role (so make sure to choose a gentle cycle).
Hot water will most likely shrink your leggings and can do so in only one wash. Warm water can also shrink your clothes, but it’s less aggressive, and it takes several washes to do so.
Cold water has little to no impact on your leggings but will help you reduce the risk of shrinkage greatly. It will also cause less damage to the fabric and the color of your leggings.
The temperature of the water itself can play a bigger role in shrinking than in stretching out your leggings.
That’s why it’s best to stick to either cold or warm water and follow up with some further steps in order to stretch the leggings. It’s easier to stretch them when they are already wet or damp.
Do Leggings Stretch Out in The Dryer?
The answer is simple – absolutely no! Actually, the leggings are more likely to shrink in the dryer.
The best piece of advice we could give you is to avoid putting your leggings in the dryer. That is if you want to stretch them out, of course.
It’s common knowledge that clothes can often shrink in the dryer itself, mostly because of the hot settings as well. Clothes that didn’t shrink in the washing machine can shrink in the dryer too.
Air-drying your leggings is the best option if you want to make them stretch.
Do Leggings Stretch Out When Air Dried?
Now that you washed your leggings, it’s time to let them dry.
We have already explained how the best option is to hand-wash your leggings in cold water if you want to stretch them out. You could also wash them in the machine, but make sure to choose the gentle cold water cycle.
Air-drying your leggings can make the fabric last longer as it’s the least damaging option. However, just letting the leggings air-dry won’t stretch them alone. You have to shape them by pulling them gently.
The leggings are best stretched while still wet from the wash. This is when you can pull and manipulate the shape of the fabric before you let them dry.
Lay your wet or damp leggings onto the clean, flat surface. Then, gently pull and stretch the fabric in areas you want to be stretched.
Then, just let the leggings air-dry.
This option takes more time, but it’s the least damaging. That is – if you don’t pull on them too aggressively (make sure to be gentle)!
Do Spanx Leggings Stretch Out?
Spanx or spandex leggings are very elastic and should hug your legs completely. There shouldn’t be any loose parts when you wear your perfectly fitting spanx leggings. [3]
Spanx leggings also have this feature where they stretch out often and return to their original shape. They can even seem quite smaller compared to when you try them on.
However, because of this feature, they tend to loosen over time and lose their ability to come back to their initial form.
How Do You Stretch Out Leggings?
Now it’s time to dive into some of the practical tips on how to stretch out the leggings.
First of all, note that it’s best to use each of these tips gently and not go overboard. Using harsh chemicals on your leggings can actually harm the fabric and fade the color of leggings.
- Wear the Leggings Often
The best piece of advice we could give you is to wear the leggings you want to stretch – and to do so often!
Of course, this advice won’t apply if your leggings are way too tight and uncomfortable. If your leggings are hard to walk in or sit in, then avoid this tip.
This tip is mostly applicable for those leggings that are too tight for your taste or could be looser in some areas.
New shoes need to be worn often to adjust to your feet better, and you should wear the new leggings often for a similar reason.
- Shape the Leggings While They’re Still Wet
This is one of those golden tips that are applicable to most scenarios. Shaping and/or stretching any kind of fabric is simply easier when the fabric is still wet.
This is because, regardless of the material, the fabric gets kind of stretchy when wet.
Avoid washing your leggings with hot water or putting them in the dryer, as this can make them shrink. Wash the leggings with cold or lukewarm water and let them air dry.
When you do so, gently pull on the material of the leggings while they’re still wet in order to stretch them.
- Wear the Damp Leggings
This is a tricky one, and it might not be the most comfortable – but it works!
Actually, it’s recommended to wear the leggings while they’re still wet, in order to stretch them properly.
However, wearing them while they’re damp is just as effective, and it’s less uncomfortable.
PRO TIP: The way to save time, water, and electricity, is to wear damp leggings outdoors while it’s sunny outside! This way, your leggings will dry to fit your body shape and will do so quickly because of the hot weather.
More Tips to Stretch Out Leggings
If you’re still not satisfied with the general tips, the next list of additional tips is made just for you. You can refer to these tips also if the previous ones haven’t worked for your leggings.
- Use Weights
When you lay your wet leggings on a flat surface to dry, you should also stretch them out. To do so, it’s helpful to use weights to pull and hold the fabric in the stretched condition.
If you don’t have weights, create the DIY ones by filling in your backpack or using full water bottles. It’s fun to explore ways to create weights for your home gym as well. [4]
- Use Baby Shampoo
Baby shampoo is widely known to help with stretching out the fabric, as it relaxes the fibers. [5]
The simplest way to do this is to add baby shampoo to your next washing machine cycle.
You could also soak your leggings in a large amount of baby shampoo diluted in water. Let them sit in the solution from half an hour to an hour, and then rinse and let them air dry.
- Use Fabric Softener
Using fabric softener is one of the safest ways to stretch the leggings.
A fabric softener is made for the fabric, so it definitely won’t cause any damage. You can simply use the fabric softener in the washing machine or soak the leggings in the fabric softener solution.
- Use Baking Soda
Lastly, we have good old baking soda. Baking soda helps fight the bacteria and stains, but you need to be careful as it can stain dark clothes.
It will also help soften the fabric, so it can easily be stretched afterward.
Just make sure to properly dilute the baking soda in the water before soaking in your leggings.
Related: Do Leggins Shrink in The Dryer
The Takeaway
So – do leggings stretch out over time, or do you need to stretch them out yourself?
This article answered your question in detail. You also got some tips on what to do if you want to stretch your tight leggings intentionally.
If some of the initial tips don’t seem to work, you can always come back to this article and try the next tip provided. One of those will surely work. Happy stretching!
Related: Yoga Pants vs Yoga Leggins