IHSH-309-PUR - Ultra Heavy Flannel Western Shirt - Classic Check - Purple
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Hello,
This is my first post here! Am very glad to have joined as I have loved IH shirts for a long time and have browsed the forum for aeons. I am lucky enough to have the IHSH-208-IND, the IHSH-33B and the IHSH-288-IND.
Anyway, it's actually the UHF flannel purple shirt that I wanted to ask for some help with. I was fortunate enough to nab myself a medium and it's a gorgeous colour. A little snug (which worries me a little as I have heard that they shrink) but what really worries me is how itchy and scratchy I find the cotton. For me, it feels like a Brillo pad. This really surprised me, as I have read that they are legendary for being incredibly soft. So I looked up Aspero cotton and it's meant to be quite a rough cotton? I'm kinda grasping at cotton straws here perhaps…
My question is, will the shirt really soften up after a cold wash? And am I the only one who finds the cotton really scratchy at first? I suspect I might be. But I have to ask, as the shirt is beautiful and I'd hate to return it if it will soften up.
Thanks for any help, and I hope to be able to contribute positively here in the future.
Thanks!
J
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Just curious,are you wearing anything underneath the shirt?
I have tried with short and long-sleeved t-shirts. I couldn't wear it without anything - it would feel as though I am wearing a woollen hair shirt! Even with the long-sleeved t, I can still feel the scratchiness. It's very strange. I have both versions of the Kersey shirt and I thought those would be scratchy as hell but they're not! They are gorgeous!
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Same here. This is quite unusual. I have never experienced this in any of my UHF (knock on wood…).
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In my time on the forum, this is a first…
I have quite a few flannels and none of mine are scratchy. Do you have seasonal allergies or any allergies that would cause a contact dermatitis like reaction?
I suffer from hay fever and rosacea at times but not badly. The UHF I have is quite stiff. Almost as though it’s been starched. Was wondering if that’s how they all come at first. Maybe it’s just me! [emoji85]
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@JP:
In my time on the forum, this is a first…
I have quite a few flannels and none of mine are scratchy. Do you have seasonal allergies or any allergies that would cause a contact dermatitis like reaction?
I suffer from hay fever and rosacea at times but not badly. The UHF I have is quite stiff. Almost as though it’s been starched. Was wondering if that’s how they all come at first. Maybe it’s just me! [emoji85]
I have the work shirt version and it is as UHF’s always are. I do not find it scratchy at all. They are a little stiffer at first, but that goes away with wear and washing.
As for shrinkage, careful washing on 30C and with a no/low spin will result in little or no shrinkage. Do not tumble dry.
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@JP Let us know what you figure out. I don't know if allergies would play a part (especially if they are not active right now), but I was grasping at straws.
I am sensitive to wool (if my skin is irritated beforehand (allergies), the wool almost becomes unbearable), but I can normally counter it by layering with a long sleeve t-shirt.
Wish you the best!
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Wow, I’m so sorry that uhf doesn’t feel soft to you. I can’t imagine. As for the fit, be very careful washing as it does shrink. I might exchange for a size up to be safe.
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Oh wow. Do you know how much shrinkage is typical? There are so many conflicting accounts! And it’s difficult because they’re expensive shirts right! The thing is a large is very large on me but if a large shrinks to a medium then it’d be perfect! Oh it’s all quite complicated isn’t it! [emoji3526]
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@JP Let us know what you figure out. I don't know if allergies would play a part (especially if they are not active right now), but I was grasping at straws.
I am sensitive to wool (if my skin is irritated beforehand (allergies), the wool almost becomes unbearable), but I can normally counter it by layering with a long sleeve t-shirt.
Wish you the best!
Thank you. Am going to try again tonight with another long sleeve t. If I take the shirt back, I’m never going to get another opportunity to get one! I think there’s only one run?
I share your pain when it comes to wool!
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Welcome @JP I am really sorry to hear that. I'll echo that my UHFs have always been notably soft. We will see tomorrow if that holds for this one. I am wondering if it is an allergy related to some of the processing of the shirt that may work itself out with some soaks and washes.
Under the Hail Mary category, since you mentioned the fit is borderline, this trick may give you more room while also softening the fabric (since that is what conditioner does to hair): https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/tiktok-laundry-hack-shrunk-clothes-36804302
This will be the only run of this fabric and shirts I think, though as we saw with the green tartan from this season that so closely resembles the IHSH-107 of the past, there could always be very similar future iterations of this UHF.
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Welcome @JP I am really sorry to hear that. I'll echo that my UHFs have always been notably soft. We will see tomorrow if that holds for this one. I am wondering if it is an allergy related to some of the processing of the shirt that may work itself out with some soaks and washes.
Under the Hail Mary category, since you mentioned the fit is borderline, this trick may give you more room while also softening the fabric (since that is what conditioner does to hair): https://www.apartmenttherapy.com/tiktok-laundry-hack-shrunk-clothes-36804302
This will be the only run of this fabric and shirts I think, though as we saw with the green tartan from this season that so closely resembles the IHSH-107 of the past, there could always be very similar future iterations of this UHF.
Thank you for the link. And for this. Actually, thank you to everyone who has replied. You guys have been really kind and I really appreciate it [emoji1374]
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I find that the UHFs get less soft with washing. When they are new, the inside feels almost like Cashmere. After several washes, that soft hair feeling is no longer then. However, that may help you if it's the hair-like quality that you're sensitive to.
Sensitivity to fabric is dependent on (1) average fiber thickness (2) maximum fiber thickness and (3) your sensitivity. I would assume in this case it's (3) which is the driving force. I'm extremely sensitive to wool shirts but have no trouble with the UHFs.
I posted a few pages back my results from washing my M at 30 deg. You can expect some shrinkage in the length and sleeves but pretty much none in the chest.
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This really is a beautiful shirt - the purple and light blue are such a great combo. But, I've been going back and forth on the fit across the chest. It's ever so slightly snug under the armpits. Back looks fine which would suggest the fit is still good, but shrinkage could be a problem.
I'm not sure a size up is going to be a solution (if I can even source an XXL) so is there any chance this stretches? I appreciate I can take care washing it, but thought I'd ask about the likelihood of some given in the fabric.
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I do not think it will stretch. If you feel is tight, you will be better off to go up a size, because you can definitely shrink it some, by washing it in hot water and drying it in the dryer. Post some fit pictures if you dont mind so the experts in the forum can chime in. It all depends on the fit you are trying to achieve.
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Try wearing it when damp and applying pressure to the area you want to loosen up.
Sizing up might be the way to go like yannis said.
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Generally, shirts don’t stretch. The tension placed on them is not enough. The only exception I’ve seen is in the elbows.
