How to Shrink a Windbreaker: 6 Steps (with Pictures) - wikiHow (2024)

FAQs

How do I make my windbreaker smaller? ›

Run a long dryer cycle using the highest heat possible. Then, let your windbreaker cool before removing it from the dryer. If your windbreaker hasn't shrunk enough, you could repeat the process. However, the more you expose your jacket to heat, the more likely it is that the fabric will harden or become discolored.

Wear black jeans to make your windbreaker stand out.

This will make your windbreaker pop so that it draws attention. This is a great idea for brightly-colored and oversized windbreakers. You can also wear black jeans with a black windbreaker for a streetwear look.

Machine wash polyester clothing in hot water and dry it on high heat to shrink it. Re-wash and dry your garment 2-3 times until it's small enough. For more drastic shrinkage, iron your polyester clothing on medium heat while it's wet.

To help protect the waterproof coating of the windbreaker, it's best to use low or no heat when drying. If the care label mentions machine-drying, you may be able to tumble dry the windbreaker on low heat.

Windbreakers are made of synthetic materials that can be susceptible to shrinkage when exposed to high heat. Therefore, it's best to air-dry windbreakers instead.

“This will depend on the materials the jacket is made of, but washing in hot water or drying with high heat could not only shrink your jacket, but could potentially damage it too,” Morningstar says. So be sure to dry your puffer jacket on the lowest heat setting to help avoid damage or shrinking.

Wearing a few layers underneath your winter jacket does add some bulk so it is always better to get a winter jacket that is too loose as opposed to too tight. It's no big deal if a winter jacket feels tight over the top of multiple thick layers but if you wear it like that all the time then try a size up.

Just pair your oversized jacket with oversized bottoms or wide-legged bottoms. The combination will give you that ultra-cool edgy look. And to round it off, you can opt for ankle boots or sneakers. Creating a sharp contrast by wearing two completely different items of clothing is a definite head-turner.

For all intents and purposes, a windbreaker is considered a light jacket. They're not insulated and they don't protect the wearer from heavy rain or extreme cold temperatures. So, are windbreakers warm? If you want to wear a windbreaker, your best bet is to slip it on during the slightly cool days of spring or fall.

What will make polyester shrink? ›

Contact with hot water can shrink the fabric to some degrees. You can do the same in your washing machine by setting the machine to hot. Hot drying can also shrink polyester. You can also try to shrink the fabric further by using the heat setting in the dryer.

Run the washing machine on the hottest water setting and longest cycle time. You do not need to use detergent to shrink your jacket. Just run the washing machine with plain water. Polyester generally takes more exposure to heat to shrink, whereas cotton can shrink after just one wash cycle.

Machine-washing a windbreaker is an easy way to keep your outerwear looking its best. To protect the delicate fabric from snagging or tearing, you can use a protective mesh bag when machine washing.

Air-dry the entire thing so that it will be able to let its moisture out. When water is not able to get out of the windbreaker, it results in the nasty-looking bumps that eventually damages the jacket's structural integrity. But also, keep your windbreaker away from the dryer!

Windbreakers are typically more delicate and won't offer adequate protection in heavy rain. But a windbreaker made with a high-quality, wind-resistant, waterproof fabric can offer enough protection in light rain and high winds.

Windbreakers are typically made from synthetic materials and those kind don't shrink like cotton. Could you put elastic around the bottom so it fits better?

Nylon is a synthetic material that doesn't shrink easily, but that doesn't mean you have to give up on your too-big nylon clothes. If the nylon is blended with other materials, you can shrink it using a dryer. If it is pure nylon, you may have better luck hemming it down to the right size.

However, if you are looking to make it smaller, there are a few methods that you can use. You can cut the size of the jacket by removing some of the layers or by making it more fitted. You can also buy a small puffer jacket and enlarge it using a sewing machine or a craft knife.