FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions

Our goal is to give you the same information, about our products online, that you would get in the store.

The following categories should assist you:

• FIT
• CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• SHRINKAGE

FIT SPECIFICATIONS

Historically our store has been for missy women — which is ages 26- 90!

The millineum means women have taken better care of themselves and although 40, she has not let go of looking youthful and trendy. Thus, our store carries many brands in a variety of fits.

JUNIOR SIZES - This fit is designed close to the body and the rise tends to be a low rise. Small fits a 0/2. Medium fits 4/6 Large fits 8/10 and Extra large fits 10/12.

CONTEMPORARY — The designers that use this term are designing trendy items intended for what has been typically known as a “missy customer.” So the fit is between a junior cut and a missy cut…once again, designed close to the body. Our best advice here is that you go up one size from what you usually wear in a true missy cut (i.e. if you wear an 8 in Missy, try a 10 in Contemporary). The rise is slightly lower than a traditional missy cut, but typically not as low as a junior rise.

Small fits a missy size 2/4, Medium fits a missy size 4/6, Large fits a missy size 8/10, Extra Large fits a missy size 12/14.

MISSY - A missy fit is designed for a traditional customer with a fuller rise than junior or contemporary fits. It tends to be cut in less fitted or close to the body styles.

WOMAN's — This cut is those of us who still have our sense of style, although the figure of our youth has changed a bit. It is cut slightly fuller through the chest, back and stomach region than a typical missy fit. It is roomier in the back of the arm. If these are the areas commonly causing you discomfort…you may want to consider the brands that offer this fit. You can still be a size 6 or 8 and need allowances in these areas.

FRENCH DRESSING JEANS — THE FIT!

We want you to be confident that the size you select is the size that will fit. The key to proper fit is knowing your body measurements.

5 pocket classic is a full missy rise to the natural waist.

Savoir Flare is one inch lower than the 5 pocket classic.

The lowest rist is one inch lower than the Savoir Flare.

All petites have one inch less in the rise than a regular fit.

CARE INSTRUCTIONS

*Follow the care instructions in the label of each garment.
*Never use woolite on cotton garments…it can cause colors to bleed.
*Set colors of cotton garments (instructions below under “PROTECTION COLORS”).
*Washing in cold water reduces the chance of major shrinkage; washing in hot water will increase chances of shrinkage. More importantly, the heat of your dryer will affect the amount of shrinkage. Air fluff cylcles will result in little shrinkage; high heat will result in much more shrinkage.

We have included FDJ care instructions to maximize the life of your FDJ jeans….but the instructions also serve as good general care instructions for many of your favorite garments.

FDJ - French Dressing Jeans Care Instructions:

Preparation

Always turn the jean inside out before washing. This protects the outside surface from rubbing against other garments. It will prevent fading andkeep the jeans looking new.

Keep the fly zipped and the waist button closed. This will clean the top of the jeans better and keep them flatter.

Fold the Jeans. Once the jeans are inside out, fold the jeans side seam to side seam and place them neatly in the washing machine to prevent the color from cracking . It s the cracking that results in faded lines in the legs.

Do not overload. Place too many items in the washer and you also risk cracking the jeans. Jeanswear should move freely about the machine.

The Wash

Warm wash, cold rinse. This is the colored fabric cycle. Fill the machine with water before adding detergent.

The detergent. Never use detergent containing bleach. Don t even trust color-safe bleach. Why torment your fabrics? Fabric softeners too can be bad news as you risk splotching if it stays on the jeans for too long. Pre-soaks tend to break down natural fibers and should only be used sparingly.

Protecting Colors. While the above steps may be enough, you can take extra precautions to preserve the colors longer, especially black. Once the water fills the drum, add one or two thimblefuls of plain white vinegar and one to two teaspoons of salt (this helps set the dye stuffs) and run the cycle. Do not go overboard on the amounts you don t want to smell like a French fry!

Remove immediately. Let the wash run its course, but make sure to take the jeans out as soon as it is finished.

Treating stains: the quicker, the better. It s easy to bury stained clothes at the bottom of the laundry pile. Yet the longer a stain sits, the more time it has to work into the fibers. Reduce the concentration of problem stains by diluting them with water right away.

Treat your FDJ jeans well and you will be rewarded.

Drying

Gentle shake. Make sure the zipper and button are still closed, and gently shake the jeans at the waistband. This helps get rid of excess wrinkling. If your jeans have been feeling a tad smaller at the waistband, now is the time to work your way around the waistband and gently pull as you go. This will very slightly stretch the waist and may do the trick.

Refold. Fold the jeans side seams together and then fold again, waist to hem. Place the folded garment on the dryer drum, being careful not to overload, and throw in a fabric softener sheet.

Don t over-dry. Run the dryer until the jeans are just dry enough (probably about 45 minutes). Over-drying will kill the fabric, similar to your skin being baked by the sun. Neatly fold the jeans and hang them up. Keep the fly and button closed so the top of the garment will remain flat. Because you ve treated your jeans so well, you shouldn t have to iron. Avoid dry-cleaning any jeanswear product, as it tends to flatten the look and feel. Denim, after all, is easy care and who wants all those chemicals next to their skin?

SHRINKAGE INFORMATION

We cannot predict your washing habits. We are presenting you with the manufacturer's care instructions and our shrinkage predictions are based upon the assumption that these instructions will be followed. They are intended to assist you in your size selection.

Garments that will shrink have some commonalities. Shrinkage will always be in the length of the garment or the length of the sleeve because of the way patterns are laid on the bolts of fabric during construction. Shrinkage typically will not be in width. Your washer and especially your dryer will be the biggest determinant in how much shrinkage will occur.

Washing in cold water reduces the chance of major shrinkage; washing in hot water will increase chances of shrinkage. More importantly, the heat of your dryer will affect the amount of shrinkage. Air fluff cycles will result in little shrinkage; high heat will result in much more shrinkage.

NO SHRINKAGE

Garments that are preshrunk have typically been garment dyed. This means that the garment has been fully constructed and then put through the dyeing process, which washes it in hot water and dries it in a hot dryer. No more shrinkage will occur.

SLIGHT SHRINKAGE

Woven fabric garments typically shrink just a little. This will usually be about 2-3%, which is fairly unnoticeable. Knits that are not garment dyed will be more affected by your washing and drying habits. Shrinkage for knit fabrics can be anywhere from 1-8%, and 95% of this shrinkage will take place the first time it is laundered. Always remember to follow the washing instructions inside each garment you purchase. Our experience has shown us that to keep all clothing (our own included!) looking its best for the longest period of time. Beware of the dryer!

SHRINKS A LOT

A garment dyed product is typically more expensive than one that has not been garment dyed or preshrunk. So on items that we are unsure of the manufacturing process, we will consider the fabric content and the care instructions (and any personal experience we may have with the product) in order to make our recommendation. Which may simply be a warning that there is a good chance of shrinkage.

*See PROTECTING COLORS instructions under the “care instructions” of this FAQ page to assist in preventing fading. This trick can be used to on cotton products they would otherwise bleed.