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Tuesday, January 22, 2008

Dilemma

On Saturday, I went and did some clothes shopping and among my purchases, I got two new pairs of dress pants. But these pants are problematic and I need some advice about what to do with them.

No, they don't have razor sharp fangs along the waist (although, that would really be problematic); instead, they don't quite fit right. See, at the store, I tried on a 6. It fit fine, but I felt it was a little snug, and because they are 98% cotton, I figured it was best to buy the 8 instead. I bought two pairs because they were on sale, and when I find pants that fit, I generally stock up.

Moving right along, I got home that afternoon and re-tried them on at home (I always do this after clothes shopping because I have to test things out in front of the home mirror to re-assure myself that everything looks and fits fine), and I discover that the 8s are rather roomy. Too roomy for my taste (I had about 2 inches of extra room in the waist). So, I took that 98% cotton part to heart and did my best to shrink them (it's a humorous irony that most people try to avoid shrinking their clothes, but I am constantly trying to shrink mine -- hot water, high heat in the dryer; unfortunately for my husband, this has led to the accidental shrinkage of some of his t-shirts -- his things don't need shrinking, but I'm a lazy laundress and sometimes I forget to separate).

They shrunk -- somewhat -- to a point I thought they'd be wearable, but I put on a pair this morning, and again thought them too big. I tried a belt, but it was cinched up to the point where I literally had extra fabric in the waist all scrunched up. I changed out of them and put on a boring old pair of pants (which BTW, are from the same store and are also 8s and are also 98% cotton -- so this gives me hope that perhaps more shrinking will improve the current pants).

So, this is my dilemma, do I:
  • Return the pants and forget them?
  • Exchange the pants for a size 6 and hope that future washings won't shrink those?
  • Give them another few washings/dryings and hope for more shrinkage?
  • Take them in to a tailor to have them adjusted to fit me better?

Let me know your opinions, peeps, I need help!

28 comments:

My Life said...

...if you've washed and dried them, I don't know of a place that would accept them as a return...

Tailor definitely.

(we saw Cloverfield this weekend too... did you see the flash at the end beach scene? I missed it)

Marcy said...

I was wondering the same thing as Taryn but some places will return just about ANYTHING as long as you have a receipt LOL

I personally would probably go to just ditch the 8's and go with the 6's but that is only because I'm lazy. Why take time to go to the tailor if you can just grab off the rack LOL But if I was feeling extra motivated for the week, I'd take them to the tailor ;-)

Jess said...

Oh, ladies, don't fear, I CAN return them. And at the very least, exchange them. I am the queen of returns, and I've never had a place that refused me. I've still got the receipt, as well as the tags stuff in a drawer.

Nancy said...

I would wash a couple more times, then consider the tailor if necessary, especially if the other 8's from there seem to fit. They might still shrink a bit more.

Margo said...

Definitely wash more. 98% cotton will shrink and if you return for the 6s and forget that you don't want to shrink these (you said you're a lazy laundress!), then you'll be sad.

Junie B said...

agree with Taryn. no returning at this point.

tailor.

am i weird that i dont put my pants in the dryer? i line dry all of my pants.

and to speak to Taryn here...my GID said the same thing about the flash at the end beach scene, which really was the BEGINNING of the tape i think he said...now i have to watch it again when it comes on DVD. I didnt like it enough to pay again to see it at the movies.

chia said...

Personally I would just take them back and leave it at that. I have a whole closet full of those "it doesn't fit perfect but they'll do" and it came as a result of the same fitting room ritual :-(.

Triseverance said...

Did you say "shrinkage"? I thought women knew nothing about shrinkage.
Regarding the pants, I have no opinion on that. :)

Erin said...

Oh, I would say these are a lost cause. See if you can exchange them for something else in the store. I wouldn't opt for the 6 because a month from now, you will hate them and have 2 pairs you can't wear.

keith said...

seeing as i rotate the same 3 pair of jeans throughout the week...i cannot weigh in on this matter, except to say what a tragic shame it would be if i shrunk any of them. they're perfectly broken in (and make my rear look bootylicious). i treat them like a favorite grandparent on life support.

I would return them to save yourself the apparent anxiety. The perfect pair are probably right around the corner anyhow.

Paul said...

Number one rule: If there is any doubt, take em back.

Going forward: get the 6's and wash everything in cold water. Keep it simple.

Viv said...

I think they will take them back since you have all the proper documentation, no doubt.

I would go for the 6, wash cold in a seperate load and hang dry.

The tailor route here is expensive. Usually kills the "on sale" factor. Maybe not so bad in FL.

P.O.M. said...

I'm with Tailoring pants. They always fit so much better afterwards.

Or you can jsut drink a bunch of beer until the pants fit.

L*I*S*A said...

I'd say check out a good seamstress or tailor. It's well worth it in the end.

Kim said...

tailor baby tailor!

David said...

Pizza. That should fix those pesky loose pants!

Seriously, I would just go with the 6's. They probably won't shrink that much more, and you'll always know it. And tailoring them would be expensive and probably never get them just right.

J~Mom said...

I would get the 6s. Based on everything you described the 8s are not going to fit right. I have not had much luck with tailoring, usually you end up paying more then another pair.

Christine said...

I'm all about making up for it with chocolate and pizza!! haha jk. I would return them and put the money aside for some really nice pants that fit PERFECT! The goldilocks effect...not too small...not too big...but JUST RIGHT!

runner26 said...

How cute are these pants? I mean, are they worth tailoring?? B/c I wouldn't return them--especially if you already washed them. Maybe just buy another pair in a 6 and keep the 8 for when you want to drink more beer??

Laurel said...

I really wish I had this problem.

I say return them and get a 6. One pair. If they fit in a week, go back and get the other pair.

Unknown said...

Ask your wife what to do. Oh wait, that won't work for you. Husbands usually aren't much help unfortunately.

Anonymous said...

I say get them tailored. Stacy and Clinton from What Not to Wear swears by it.

Rich said...

Save em until they gnaw at you and then give them away to charity.

Rich said...

Oops, oh Queen of Returns. I'm the royal weenie of returns. Scratch my previous suggestion then.

Mendy said...

If it were me, I'd probably get them tailored. I know it cost more (8$ for a pair where I go), but they do end up fitting me better. I have 3 pr I need to take in to get some length off. Banana republic thinks all women are 5'9... blah.

If you got the 6's and continued to wash in hot, like Erin said, you may not like them in a month.

miss petite america said...

tailor. definitely.

though after you get them tailored you'll have to wash them with properly...

i'm a lazy laundress too but i have enough energy to wash everything in cold and hang up things i don't want to shink. there's also dryel...not too much of an extra step...

Midwest said...

jI'd take them to a tailor.

Stuart said...

No you've washed them get them tailored...nothing ever fits off the peg 100%