You finally found the perfect pair of American Eagle jeans¹. They fit just right. Now you're afraid to wash them, worried they will shrink into a size you can't even wear.

Yes, American Eagle jeans can shrink, especially if they are 100% cotton. The amount of shrinkage depends entirely on the fabric and how you wash and dry them. Heat is the main cause.

In my two decades of running a denim factory, shrinkage is one of the most basic properties of cotton we have to manage. It’s not a flaw; it's just the nature of the fiber.

A good designer like Dean always thinks about a garment's life after it leaves the store, including how it will behave in the wash. The great news is that you have almost complete control over whether your jeans shrink. Let's dive into how.

Should I Size Up for American Eagle Jeans?

You're trying to decide between two sizes. You fear that if you buy your true size, it will shrink and become too tight, but sizing up might just look sloppy and ill-fitting.

You should only consider sizing up in American Eagle jeans that are 100% cotton² with no stretch. For any jeans with elastane (stretch), buy your true size because they will stretch out with wear.

This is probably the most common dilemma shoppers face, and the answer always comes down to the fabric composition.

As a manufacturer, we work with dozens of different denim types³, and they all behave differently.

Rigid, 100% cotton denim has no synthetic fibers to help it keep its shape. It will mold to your body over time, but it can shrink up to 5% in a hot wash.

Sizing up one size can give you a bit of a buffer for this shrinkage and provide a more comfortable fit from the start.

On the other hand, stretch denim is completely different. The elastane fibers woven into the cotton are designed to stretch and recover.

If you size up in stretch jeans, they might feel perfect at first. But after a few hours of wear, they will likely stretch out and become baggy.

For any jeans labeled with "stretch," you should always buy your true size. They might feel a little snug when you first put them on, but they will relax and conform perfectly to your shape.

Do American Eagle Jeans Shrink in the Wash According to Reddit?

You've scrolled through forums like Reddit and seen conflicting stories. Some people claim their AE jeans shrank a full size, while others insist they stayed the same. It's hard to know what's true.

Yes, the stories are true—they absolutely can shrink in the wash. The two main culprits are hot water during the wash cycle and high heat from the clothes dryer.

The different experiences you read about online come down to two variables: the type of jeans the person bought and how they cared for them.

Cotton fibers are put under a lot of tension during the process of spinning them into yarn and weaving them into denim. When you apply heat and water, this tension is released, and the fibers relax back to a shorter, more compact state. This is what we call shrinkage.

In my factory, we run shrinkage tests on every single batch of fabric. For a pair of 100% cotton jeans, a shrinkage of 3% to 5% is completely normal and expected within the industry.

If you have a 32-inch inseam, that's a loss of almost an inch. So, if someone bought a pair of rigid mom jeans and washed them in hot water and then dried them on high heat, they would see significant shrinkage.

However, if another person bought a pair of super-stretch jeggings and washed them in cold water, they would see almost no change. Both stories are true because they are talking about different products and different laundry habits.

Will My American Eagle Jeans Shrink After Every Wash?

You've made it through the first wash without disaster. But now you're worried about the future. Will your favorite jeans continue to get smaller with every single laundry day?

No, your jeans will not continue to shrink forever. The vast majority of shrinkage happens during the very first wash. After that, the size will remain stable.

This is a very common fear, but you can relax. The science of cotton fibers explains why. That initial release of tension we talked about is a one-time event for the most part.

Once the fibers have settled into their relaxed state after that first wash, they don't have much more shrinking left to do. Subsequent washes in cold water will have a minimal effect.

Furthermore, most large brands like American Eagle use denim that has been "pre-shrunk" at the factory. This process, often called sanforization, is where we put the denim through a controlled steam and heat treatment to force most of the shrinkage to happen before the jeans are even cut and sewn.

We do this specifically so that the customer doesn't have to deal with a dramatic change in size. While a hot wash at home can still cause a little more shrinkage, the pre-shrinking process ensures that the jeans are mostly stable by the time you buy them. The size you buy is very close to the size you will have long-term.

How Can I Wash American Eagle Jeans Without Shrinking Them?

You want a simple, foolproof method to wash your jeans. You just need to know the exact steps to take to keep them looking and fitting exactly as they did when you bought them.

To prevent shrinking, wash your jeans inside out in cold water on a gentle cycle⁴. Most importantly, let them air dry. The high heat of a dryer is the main cause of shrinkage.

As someone who oversees the washing and finishing of thousands of pairs of jeans, this is my expert advice. This method will not only prevent shrinking but will also preserve the color and extend the life of your jeans. It's the best way to care for your denim.

Step	Action	Why It Works
1. Read the Label	Look at the care instructions inside the jeans.	The manufacturer provides specific guidance for that exact fabric.
2. Wash Cold	Always use the cold water setting on your machine.	Cold water cleans denim effectively without causing the cotton fibers to contract.
3. Turn Inside Out	Wash your jeans inside out.	This protects the color and any special finishes from fading due to friction.
4. Air Dry	Hang your jeans by the waistband or lay them flat.	This is the most crucial step. Avoiding the heat of the dryer is the best way to stop shrinkage.

If you absolutely must use a dryer, choose the lowest heat setting available, or a no-heat "air fluff" option. Pull them out when they are still slightly damp and let them finish air drying. Following these simple steps will keep your American Eagle jeans fitting perfectly.

Conclusion

Yes, American Eagle jeans can shrink, but you are in control. By choosing your size based on the fabric and washing in cold water, you can keep your jeans fitting perfectly.

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