Washed clothing is designed to look like it's already been through a few hundred wears. That doesn't mean you can throw it in on hot and forget about it. The right routine keeps the color from going flat, the fabric from shrinking and the graphic from cracking. It takes about ten extra seconds per load.
The 5-step routine
- Turn it inside out. This protects the washed surface and any print from rubbing against other clothes.
- Wash cold. 30°C / 86°F or below. Cold water keeps color in and prevents shrinkage.
- Use a gentle cycle and mild detergent. No bleach — the fade is already built in, and bleach will make it patchy.
- Wash with similar colors. Washed garments can release a little dye in the first few washes.
- Tumble dry low or hang dry. High heat is the #1 cause of shrinkage and cracked prints.
Why washed clothes need a lighter touch
A garment wash — mineral, snow, vintage or sun fade — softens fibers and lifts some of the dye. That's what gives the piece its worn-in look and feel. It also means the surface has already been worked, so aggressive washing speeds up wear. Treat it gently and the finish keeps developing slowly and evenly instead of breaking down. (Not sure which wash you have? Here's the difference between each finish.)
Care by garment
Heavyweight hoodies
Thick fleece holds water, so it takes longer to dry. Low tumble, then finish flat or on a wide hanger so the shoulders don't stretch. Avoid wringing — press water out instead.
Frayed and raw hems
Frayed hems are finished to stop unravelling at a certain point, but a hot dryer will fluff them out faster. Inside out, cold wash, low heat. If a loose thread appears, trim it — don't pull. This applies to the hand-frayed THE PARTY Zip Hoodie, the ONI Frayed Tee, the VOID Distressed Hem Tee and the raw-hem KITSUNE Sweatpants.
Waffle knit tees
Waffle texture can snag. Wash inside out and keep away from zippers and Velcro in the same load. Dry flat to keep the grid shape.
Graphic tees and hoodies
Prints last longest when they're never ironed directly and never go through a hot dryer. If you must iron, turn it inside out and use low heat.
Denim
Wash vintage-wash denim as rarely as you reasonably can — every wash fades it a little more. When you do, cold and inside out, then hang dry. This goes for the KIKEN Wide Leg and SHINOBI Straight Leg jeans, and keeps their printed thigh panels sharp.
Will it shrink?
Garment-washed pieces are pre-shrunk during the wash process, so they shrink far less than unwashed cotton. Most shrinkage people see comes from high dryer heat. Keep it low and your size stays your size. If you're between sizes, check the flat measurements in our size guide.
How to make the fade last (or speed it up)
Slow it down: cold water, inside out, fewer washes, air dry.
Speed it up: warm washes and sun-drying will push the fade further. Just know it can also soften prints and relax the fit.
FAQ
Can I put washed clothing in the dryer?
Yes, on low. Avoid high heat.
Why did my first wash turn the water colored?
That's excess dye from the wash process. It settles after a few washes — just keep lights separate until then.
Should I dry clean it?
No. Dry cleaning chemicals aren't necessary for cotton fleece and jersey, and they can affect prints.
Shop washed pieces that get better with time: hoodies · tees · bottoms.