Cotton Shorts

How can I shrink cotton shorts?

I have a pair of 100% cotton sleep shorts that are WAY too big for me. They’re brand new, and I don’t have time to exchange them before I leave on the trip I need them for (I bought them online). If I wash them on hot and dry them on hot, will they shrink up? If so, how much? Is it worth the trouble? They are draw-stringed, so should I just draw said string and deal?

Yep. Washing and drying in hot will get them to shrink. If you are afraid that they will shrink to much, there is a way to prevent that. At where the shorts will ideally sit and the thickest part, take your width measurements. Now, on a scrap piece of cardboard, cut out a shape to match these measurements plus 2-3 inches. Wash the shorts in hot. Then, before you put them in the dryer, put them onto the cardboard and then dry. While they shrink, the cardboard sets a limit to how much they can shrink. Hope this helps you.

Fairway + Greene Cotton Twill Shorts