Empyre jeans shrink minimally (2–5%) if you follow proper care instructions: cold water, gentle cycle, air dry. They shrink significantly (5–10%) if you use hot water or the dryer. The brand’s heavy-gauge denim is designed to resist shrinkage better than fast-fashion jeans.
How Much Do Empyre Jeans Shrink?
With Proper Care (Cold Water + Air Dry)
- First wash: 1–3% shrinkage
- Subsequent washes: Minimal (under 1%)
- After 5 washes: 2–3% total shrinkage
- Practical result: Barely noticeable difference
With Improper Care (Hot Water + Dryer)
- First wash: 5–7% shrinkage
- If dried multiple times: Up to 10% total shrinkage
- Practical result: Size down significantly, may no longer fit
The Science: Why Denim Shrinks
Cotton is a natural fiber. When exposed to heat and moisture, the fibers contract. This is unavoidable in 100% cotton products.
Empyre jeans = 98–100% cotton blend (plus 1–2% polyester for minimal stretch)
Heat + moisture = predictable shrinkage. That’s why care instructions matter.
Empyre Shrinkage by Temperature & Method
| Water Temp | Cycle | Dryer | Total Shrinkage | Fit Impact |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cold | Gentle | Air dry | 1–3% | Barely noticeable |
| Cold | Gentle | Low heat | 3–5% | Slight tightness |
| Warm | Normal | Air dry | 3–5% | Noticeable |
| Warm | Normal | Low heat | 5–7% | Definitely tighter |
| Hot | Heavy | Dryer | 7–10% | May not fit |
First Wash: What to Expect
Your first wash is the critical one. Most shrinkage happens here.
First Wash (Cold Water + Air Dry)
- Expected shrinkage: 2–3%
- Waist: If you ordered 32″, expect ~31″ after first wash
- Length (inseam): If you ordered 32″, expect ~31–31.5″ after first wash
- Thigh/leg: Slight tightening but barely noticeable
This is why Empyre jeans are cut with a slight loose fit—they’re accounting for this first wash shrinkage.
First Wash (Hot Water + Dryer)
- Expected shrinkage: 5–7%
- Waist: If you ordered 32″, expect 30–30.5″
- Length: If you ordered 32″, expect ~30–30.5″
- Result: Visibly smaller, may be uncomfortable
Do Empyre Jeans Shrink More Than Other Brands?
No. Empyre’s shrinkage is standard for quality denim:
| Brand | Denim Type | Shrinkage (Cold Wash + Air Dry) |
|---|---|---|
| Empyre | 12–14 oz cotton blend | 2–3% |
| Levi’s 501 | 14 oz 100% cotton | 3–4% |
| Uniqlo Raw Denim | 13.5 oz 100% cotton | 3–5% |
| Premium Raw Denim | 14–16 oz 100% cotton | 3–5% |
| Fast Fashion | 9–11 oz cotton blend | 2–3% |
Verdict: Empyre is in line with quality denim. Actually shrinks less than premium raw denim because of the polyester blend.
Why Empyre Shrinks Less Than You Might Expect
Reason 1: Polyester Blend
- Empyre = 98–100% cotton + 1–2% polyester
- Pure cotton would shrink more
- The polyester provides slight shrinkage resistance
- This is intentional design choice
Reason 2: Pre-shrunk Processing
- Most modern denim undergoes pre-shrinkage during manufacturing
- The heavy-gauge denim is heat-treated before cutting
- Some shrinkage is “baked in” already
- You’re seeing residual shrinkage, not full denim shrinkage
Reason 3: Heavy Gauge Density
- Thicker denim shrinks proportionally less than thin fabric
- Tight weave resists moisture penetration
- Takes longer for water to reach all fibers
- Results in lower overall shrinkage percentage
How to Minimize Empyre Jeans Shrinkage
Shrinkage Prevention: The Complete Protocol
Step 1: Cold Water (Essential)
- Use cold water (60–70°F)
- Never warm or hot
- Warm water = double the shrinkage
Step 2: Gentle Cycle (Important)
- Gentle or delicate cycle
- Shorter wash times = less water exposure
- Normal cycle risks additional shrinkage
Step 3: Air Dry (Critical)
- Never machine dry
- Hang dry or lay flat for 24–48 hours
- Sun is optional (fades unevenly, but doesn’t shrink more)
Step 4: Inside Out (Helps Overall)
- Turns inside out protects color (not directly shrinkage-related)
- Better for preserving shape
Step 5: Don’t Overdry
- Don’t hang for weeks (they won’t shrink more, but excessive heat can)
- Remove when fully dry
- 24–48 hours is standard
First Wash Strategy: Minimize Initial Shrinkage
Best Practice:
- Wash inside-out
- Cold water ONLY
- Gentle cycle
- Alone or with dark colors
- Air dry immediately after (don’t leave in washer)
- Hang dry for 24–48 hours
This minimizes your 1–3% initial shrinkage, keeping your jeans closest to original fit.
Should You Size Up to Account for Shrinkage?
Short answer: No, buy true to size.
Why:
- Empyre jeans are already cut with baggy fit
- First wash shrinkage (2–3%) is built into the design
- Sizing up makes them too large even after shrinking
- Most customers order their actual size and fit perfectly after first wash
Exception: Y2K ultra-wide styles already go up one size. Don’t go up twice.
After First Wash: Will They Shrink Again?
Short answer: Minimally.
Washes 2–10:
- Each subsequent wash: <1% shrinkage
- Total cumulative: ~0.5–1% additional
- Most customers don’t notice any additional shrinkage
Washes 11+:
- Essentially no more shrinkage
- Heavy-gauge denim stabilizes
- Can expect to keep the same fit
Real expectation:
After your first wash, your Empyre jeans will fit the same for the next 2 years of wearing.
What If Your Empyre Jeans Already Fit Perfectly Before First Wash?
If you try on your Empyre jeans before washing (not recommended, but happens):
- They might feel slightly baggy
- After first wash, they’ll fit closer to how you tried them on
- They’ll be perfect after first wash
This is why Empyre’s loose cut is intentional—accounts for this first-wash tightening.
Can Empyre Jeans Stretch Back Out?
No, not really. Cotton doesn’t “bounce back.”
However:
- Wearing them regularly stretches them slightly
- A size that shrinks 3% can stretch back ~1–1.5% with wear
- Net result: Still about 1.5% smaller than original
- This is normal and expected
Related Guide:
Common Shrinkage Questions
Q: If I size up one extra to account for shrinkage, will they fit right?
A: No. You’d be oversized. Order true to size—Empyre’s cut already accounts for shrinkage.
Q: My Empyre jeans shrunk too much. Can I stretch them back?
A: Slightly. Wear them repeatedly (stretches ~1–1.5% max). Wet stretching works (wet the jeans, wear them while damp) but isn’t guaranteed. Best solution: proper care next time.
Q: Will my Empyre jeans shrink in the freezer method?
A: No. The freezer kills bacteria (no heat = no shrinkage). This is actually a good refresh method.
Q: Do Empyre’s dark jeans shrink more than light jeans?
A: No, same amount. The indigo dye doesn’t affect shrinkage—it’s all about the cotton fiber.
Q: Will the distressed rips get bigger with shrinkage?
A: Slightly, as the entire pant shrinks. The rips don’t expand independently, but the overall garment tightening affects the rip placement.
Shrinkage Summary: What You Need to Know
✅ Cold water + air dry = 2–3% shrinkage (minimal, acceptable)
✅ This is normal and expected for quality denim
✅ Empyre’s loose cut accounts for this shrinkage
✅ Order true to size—don’t size up
✅ Most shrinkage happens in first wash
✅ Subsequent washes have minimal additional shrinkage
❌ Hot water = 5–7% shrinkage (too much)
❌ Machine dryer = 5–10% shrinkage (way too much)
❌ Never use dryer for Empyre jeans
The Bottom Line: Empyre Shrinkage
Do Empyre jeans shrink? Yes, minimally with proper care, significantly with improper care.
Follow the cold water + air dry protocol, and you’ll have perfect-fitting jeans that stay that way for years.
It’s the same advice for quality denim across all brands. Empyre actually shrinks less than premium raw denim because of the polyester blend.
FAQ:
Q: Should I wash Empyre jeans before wearing them? A: Yes, at least once. The first wash removes excess indigo dye and sets the final fit. Wash cold, air dry.
Q: Can I speed up shrinkage intentionally to get a tighter fit? A: Yes, but risky. Use warm water + gentle heat (not full dryer). You risk overshrinking. Better to use proper care and stretch them through wear.
Q: My Empyre jeans feel large after first wash. Is that normal? A: Normal if they were tight before washing. The slight first-wash shrinkage brings them to intended size. They should feel right now.
Q: Will my Empyre jeans shrink in my gym bag (high humidity)? A: No. Shrinkage requires heat + moisture in a wash cycle. Regular humidity doesn’t cause shrinkage.
Q: How do I know if my jeans shrunk or just stretched? A: Measure them laid flat. Compare to the product’s measurements. That’s the only accurate way.