Anything you wear for work needs to fit well, and that's especially true for workwear for construction and other physically active professions. One doesn't normally think about laundry and shrinking clothing when purchasing a hi-vis jacket, for example, but shrinking in the laundry is still something that can happen to these garments, depending on the material they're made of. Shrinking is usually a result of unwashed cotton and/or wool being thrown in hot water and a hot tumble dryer, and it has more consequences than just making the clothing uncomfortable or too small to wear at all.
Shrinking Leads To Restriction
Sometimes the shrinking isn't so noticeable; the garment shrinks just a little, so it's still wearable. After spending all that money, you might just think you'd lose a couple of kilos and continue to wear the item. However, that tiny bit of shrinking causes restriction. You can't fully move that easily or quickly without risking damage to the clothing from stretching or tearing the material as you try to make full movements. That affects your reaction time, too, as the restriction can be startling and make you pause as you try to adjust the clothing.
Chafing Is An Issue
Chafing also becomes a problem because even soft, stretchy fabric can lead to irritation if it continually rubs against your skin. Your workwear should not increase your risk of irritation; the workwear needs to be just loose enough to allow for free movement without getting in your way.
Avoiding Problems Caused By Shrinking
You've got a number of ways to avoid this problem. One is to look for workwear made from materials that won't shrink, such as synthetic fabrics. If you prefer natural fabrics like cotton, look for prewashed fabric because the shrinking has already been accounted for; you should be able to wash the garments without seeing a noticeable change in how the garments fit. Another option is to size up; buy a garment in one size larger (or a half size larger, if possible) than you usually wear. It's much easier to take in clothing that's too big than to try to move in clothing that's a tad too tight.
Companies that sell workwear should have the materials listed and should note in product descriptions whether the material is pre-washed or pre-shrunk. You can also call customer service lines to find out more about the items to ensure you get the right size.
Hello! My name is Karl and this is my new blog. On this blog, I will be talking about the various ways in which you can grow your business. I should point out that I am not a business-owner myself but I do one day hope to be able to set up my own shop. In preparation, I have been paying a visit to various local businesses so I could find out how they operate and what makes them successful. I have learnt lots of very cool things which I would like to share with you. I hope you find my blog useful.