100% cotton Carhartt shirts have a high chance of shrinking in the wash. Sometimes they can take 3-4 washes before you can assess the complete shrinkage.
Many Carhartt shirts classified as cotton are a cotton/polyester blend, which will drastically reduce how much they shrink. Even a 95% cotton/5% polyester shirt will be much less resistant to shrinking in the wash.
Loose-fitting shirts will also give more leeway in the wash than relaxed-fitting shirts as they’re looser and can cope with the 3-5% that most shirts shrink by after a few washes.
I wear my work clothes more than any other items in my wardrobe, and you’re probably the same.
From pants to shirts, boots, and cold weather jackets, I need to know my work clothes will do the job, fit comfortably, and be built to last. I recently found my newly bought Carhartt shirt didn’t fit like I expected it to—had it shrunk, or did I just eat a few too many leftovers over the Holidays?
I’m a big fan of Carhartt workwear, their range is excellent, and the clothing is hardwearing and robust—but does it shrink in the wash? I found out, so you don’t have to.
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Do Carhartt Shirts Shrink?
Whether Carhartt shirts will shrink (or even if you’ll notice if they do) comes down to two things—the fabric used in making the shirt and the fit.
The looser the fit, the more leeway you’ll have when it comes to shrinkage.
Carhartt uses several types of fabrics to create its shirts, each with its own characteristics, especially regarding shrinking. The most a shirt from Carhartt usually shrinks is between 3% and 5%, though that can change depending on the fabrics.
100% Cotton Shirts
A 100% cotton fitted shirt like the Carhartt Base Force 100% Cotton Midweight Crew will shrink over a few washes, as cotton is much more prone to shrinking than synthetic fibers. What fits like a glove on day one might have you working in a child’s crop top after a few weeks—not a good look for Wayne the logger.
If you’ve chosen a 100% cotton shirt that’s also a loose fit, then buying your regular size shouldn’t pose many problems. But if you want a loose fit, then buying a size up is an excellent way to make sure you’ll get a shirt that fits after a few washes.
The Carhartt Base Force base layer is perfect for those chilly days at work when you need to keep on the move. Layering up often means sweating more, but thanks to being constructed of sweat-wicking cotton, the Base Force keeps you warm and dry.
Cotton/Polyester Shirts
Many of the most popular Carhartt shirts are a blend of two fabrics—most commonly a cotton and polyester blend. The polyester percentage varies—anything from 5% right up to 40% is typical. Regardless of the amount of polyester in your Carhartt shirt, you’re unlikely to see anything bigger than a 3-5% shrinkage after washing.
For example, the Carhartt Force Relaxed Fit Long-Sleeve T-Shirt is a relaxed fit, which means it’s a bit more sculpted to your body. But because of the cotton/polyester blend, you’re safe buying your regular size. Even after three or four washes and minimal shrinkage, a cotton/polyester shirt should still retain its shape.
For a smart looking long-sleeved work shirt that’s functional and hardwearing, it’s hard to beat the Carhartt Force Relaxed Fit T-Shirt. Stain-resistant and ventilated to keep you cool, it's well worth a look.
Spandex Shirts
Don’t panic—Carhartt spandex shirts don’t need a breathing hole and a safety word. What they do have is a small amount of spandex woven into the fabric to help them stretch more. Spandex shirts are predominantly a cotton/polyester blend, with a 2-3% addition of spandex which allows your shirts a lot of give when you’re moving around all day.
From stretching and reaching, a shirt with spandex will keep its shape and give you total freedom of movement. The Carhartt Rugged Professional Series Short-Sleeve Shirt only has 3% spandex, but you’ll feel the additional give in the fabric and not have to worry about shrinkage.
The Carhartt Rugged Professional is pretty aptly named—a tough, triple-stitched workhorse of a shirt that makes use of Carhartt Rugged Flex stretch technology. With 3% spandex added, it's also (actually) wrinkle-resistant so you’ll look smart all day.
Synthetic Shirts
A synthetic shirt stays away from cotton altogether and sticks with polyester and nylon fabrics. Synthetic shirts such as the Carhartt Force Relaxed Fit Lightweight Shirt look smart, are comfortable to wear, and won’t shrink in the wash unless you wash your clothes at the sun’s temperature.
Crafted with their proprietary FastDry and Force technology to combat sweat and odors, this is one of those shirts you won't sweat on as an easy reach throughout the summer.
Carhartt’s selection of pure synthetic shirts is relatively small. But if it’s sturdiness and reliability you’re after, a synthetic shirt will fit exactly the same in a year as the day you bought it. Available in both long and short sleeves and in a variety of colors, it’s a shirt worth considering.
Denim Shirts
Denim shirts can be a great addition to your workwear wardrobe as the fabric is durable, but be wary—denim will shrink under a warm breath, let alone a washer or dryer. Carhartt only has one denim shirt in its collection currently, the Carhartt Relaxed Fit Denim Fleece-Lined Snap-Front Shirt, but whether you’re buying from Carhartt or elsewhere, be wary of shrinkage.
If you’re going to wear denim, ensure it’s washed separately from your other shirts and at a much lower temperature. Avoid using a dryer to quickly dry your denim shirt, as the extreme heat will have the same effect on your denim as a blowtorch will on a Dorito.
A timeless classic, this Carhartt Denim Fleece-lined shirt is made from 100% pure cotton, and thanks to its blanket lining, can be worn instead of a jacket. Versatile enough to be worn at work or on the town, this is just one of those looks that never goes out of style.
Acrylic Shirts
You won’t be overly surprised to hear that an acrylic shirt such as the Carhartt Flame-Resistant High-Visibility Force Long-Sleeve T-Shirt — a shirt that can take a moderate brush with a flamethrower—won’t shrink in the family washing machine. This is probably the toughest T-shirt you’ll ever wear, created from a mixture of Modacrylic, Lyocell, and Aramid Knit.
For jobs where safety is everything (particularly fire and visibility safety), Carhartt have delivered up a solid option with this one. A long-sleeved shirt in bright lime, this tough-wearing shirt meets ANSI Class 3 safety standards to get you home in one piece.
As for sizing, you’ll be able to buy your regular size, and regardless of how many washes your shirt has, it’ll be the same size. Acrylic shirts aren’t cheap and are a bit of a niche item, but if you’re in a dangerous job, the added protection is well worth it.
Do Carhartt pants shrink?
Even Carhartt pants made of cotton have at least a small percentage of another fabric in them, ranging from spandex to polyester, making them very resistant to shrinking. The Carhartt workwear range has multiple styles made from various materials, all of which help the pants remain tough and easily washable.
Do Carhartt Jackets Shrink?
In the same way Carhartt shirts vary in materials used, the range of jackets from Carhartt also come in various fabrics, some more resistant than others to shrinking. From personal experience and research, here’s a list of the most common materials used in Carhartt jackets.
Synthetic Jackets
Carhartt synthetic jackets are made from nylon and so they’re not prone to shrinking. Some, though not all, of their jackets have small percentages of additional fabrics, such as elastane woven in to add extra strength.
The Carhartt Super Dux Lightweight Jacket is an example of a multi-fabric jacket that won’t shrink. Many Carhartt jackets are waterproof or water-resistant, and any jacket that fits that description will not shrink when washed.
The Carhartt Super Dux Jacket will keep you warm and dry when the weather is doing its worst thanks to Rain Defender and Wind Fighter technology. Built to last and with pockets to spare, the Super Dux has you covered where it counts.
Cotton/Duck Jackets
Cotton duck refers to a heavy, woven cotton that’s noticeably thicker than regular cotton and feels more like a canvas. Because they’re mostly made from a natural material, Cotton duck Jackets are more prone to shrinking than most Carhartt jackets.
A thinner jacket like the Carhartt Loose Fit Firm Duck Thermal-Lined Active Jac, which is made from cotton duck, will need washing carefully as it’s only made from one material. If you’re going for a thicker jacket, try to find one made of multiple fabrics, such as the Carhartt Full Swing Relaxed Fit Ripstop Jacket.
When all it’ll take is one extra layer, the Carhartt Active Jac is just the item you’re going to reach for. Warmth retention is in-built, and there’s a hood for when the weather takes a turn for the worse—it’s perfect all year round.
The cotton/Cordura blend means you’ll not see more than a 3-5% shrinkage if any shrinkage even happens at all.
The Carhartt Full Swing Jacket feels like your favorite sweater from day one thanks to its Full Swing, broken-in design. With elbow room and stretch in the shoulders, the Full Swing Jacket is a really solid working jacket.
Fleece Jackets
A jacket made entirely of fleece will have a strong chance of shrinking when washed at high temperatures. Still, thankfully, both the Carhartt Rain Defender Reversible Jacket and the Carhartt Yukon Extremes Wind Fighter Fleece Active Jac have additional fabrics that are shrink-resistant.
If it’s multipurpose and resilient you’re after, then the Carhartt Rain Defender Reversible Jacket is for you. Cool when the weather’s hot, a quick reverse and you’re toasty warm and dry. We like.
The Rain Defender has a fleece/nylon blend, allowing the wearer to reverse the jacket when the weather turns. The nylon also helps reduce shrinkage to less than 5%. The Wind Fighter Active Jac’s Cordura overlays mean this jacket also holds its size well, though a bit of shrinkage is to be expected initially.
From working on-site to working outdoors, the Carhartt Yukon offers a lot of mobility and decent wind resistance.
Polyester Jackets
There’s more chance of you shrinking than your polyester Carhartt jacket, and the Carhartt Hi-Visibility Waterproof Sherwood Jacket is a prime example of a robust, waterproof, warm jacket that’s going to keep its size and shape regardless of the number of washes it has.
For working on the road, visibility and warmth are the keys to success, and the Waterproof Sherwood Jacket is a beast that has you covered day or night. Brite lime with plenty of reflection, Carhartt have made the Sherwood waterproof and storm-resistant.
Denim Jackets
Carhartt’s only denim jacket is the Carhartt Relaxed Fit Denim Sherpa-Lined Jacket. And you guessed it, it needs care when you wash it. Both denim and sherpa lining is prone to shrinking when washed at higher temperatures.
Versatile enough for both site or customer visits, the Carhartt Denim Jacket looks great, feels great, and remains a classic. Triple stitched to last and Sherpa-lined for warmth, it's for sure a smart jacket for those customer-facing days.
A warm denim jacket can look good and add value to your workwear, so don’t discount the Carhartt Denim Sherpa-Lined Jacket—just be mindful of how you wash it. Putting a denim jacket in the dryer for a quicker drying time is also worth avoiding if you want to wear it again.
How to Keep Your Carhartt Clothes from Shrinking
Cotton, wool, and linens don’t take kindly to being washed or dried at high temperatures—the fibers are more spaced out, which is excellent for letting your clothes breathe. When washed or dried at high temperatures, the fabrics tighten up, contracting together and causing your clothes to shrink.
The best way to keep your Carhartt clothes from shrinking is always to read the label before washing. I’m prone to throwing everything and anything in the washing machine and hitting start. That’s fine for synthetics but can cause severe problems for more natural fabrics.
Many of the brand’s range of workwear is made from multiple fabrics, making them slightly more robust than straightforward, softer fabrics like cotton. You should still read the labels inside your clothes, but the most common ways to avoid shrinking are:
- Lower the temperature of the water before washing your clothes.
- Use the proper spin cycle—slower cycles are less damaging as there’s less friction.
- Synthetic clothes from Carhartt can handle higher wash temperatures but always err on the side of caution.
- If you’re using a dryer, check what your clothes label recommends—a high temperature has the same effect as cooking bacon with a blowtorch.
- Hang jackets up to dry in the fresh air, especially denim.
- If in doubt, hand wash the item of clothing—it’s a lot safer and won’t cause shrinkage.
Looking after your Carhartt clothes is a lot like cooking from a recipe—much easier when you’ve read the instructions. The labels inside your clothes are there for a reason, to make looking after your work clothes as easy as possible.
Shrink Less and Prosper
Carhartt clothes rarely shrink more than 3-5% after a few washes, with most of the ranges barely having any shrinkage. Thanks to Carhartt’s focus on sturdy clothing lines that are ideal for working in, most of their items are crafted from multiple materials like synthetics mixed with natural fabrics. This makes for clothes that hold their size well.
Without a doubt, always consider the fabric your clothes are made from before you buy. A pure cotton shirt will feel great but is more likely to shrink, whereas you’ll be OK with a synthetic shirt.
FAQs
Should I size down on Carhartt?
Many of Carhartt’s clothing ranges run large, so you should consider that when buying. If you’re an XL, a large may be a perfect fit, but it also depends on the fabric of the clothes. Carhartt clothes can shrink 3-5% after a few washes, with their 100% cotton ranges potentially shrinking even further, so buy true to size.
How do I unshrink Carhartt clothes?
If you’ve accidentally shrunk your Carhartt shirt, you can try to salvage it by placing it in a bucket of warm water and mixing in some hair conditioner and washing up liquid. Ensure the entire garment is covered in the conditioner/washing liquid mix, and then hand squeeze the water from the clothing. Let the clothes dry naturally, and you should see an improvement in size.
Can you intentionally shrink a Carhartt shirt?
You can deliberately shrink a Carhartt shirt if you find it’s too big for you and you’re unable to return it. The amount of shrinkage will be determined by the fabrics involved, and some, such as fully synthetic shirts, won’t see a noticeable decrease in size. A cotton, denim, or canvas item of clothing can be shrunk by repeatedly washing and drying at high temperatures.
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