The noted changes in each stage are based on the measurement differences from the original unworn new jeans. For example, the waist growth from the unworn raw jeans in Stage-1 to the jeans that have been worn but never washed is +1″.
Stage 2, after the jeans have been worn for several months without a wash, they finally go through the pair’s first wash. The jeans are at their smallest point because they have not yet been worn again and seem to have lost at least a size. The waist now measures -1″ smaller than the original unworn new jeans at this point. Overall, that’s a 2″ difference between the waistband’s largest recorded size after the jeans were worn several months in the raw state and the first wash.
![Photo of raw jeans explains How much stretching or shrinkage happens at the waistband, seat, rise, thighs, knees, inseam, and hem of jeans over time.](https://denimbmc.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/02/raw-jeans-stretching-and-shrinking-w590.gif)
![4 jeans photos show the life cycle of raw jeans shrinkage and stretching reviewing the changes in measurements.](https://cdn11.bigcommerce.com/s-8a33z/images/stencil/original/image-manager/stages-of-raw-denim-stretching-and-shrinkage-w750.jpg?t=1476329256&_gl=1*134ph1s*_ga*MTEwOTY3NDYwMi4xNjU3NjM2NzM3*_ga_WS2VZYPC6G*MTY1ODQ4OTQ3OS41OS4xLjE2NTg0OTE0OTguMjU.)