Some pants I've owned shrink after a few months and others don't shrink even after years of wear and dozens of washes. Why is this? Because of this I always mention shrinkage when I review pants. I wish other reviewers would do the same since I've found it an issue.
Good Pants
My favorite pants were Cabela's Aged Khakis, I had several pairs over the years. They fit well, were comfortable, and lasted for years. And they didn't shrink! Also, Haggars don't shrink and my blue jeans don't shrink.
Shrinkage
A couple of years ago I bought Target store-brand chinos. They fit well and were comfortable but after a few months I put them on and they went down to my ankles and stopped, I looked like Little Abner. So I stretched them out beside my Haggar work-to-weekend pants, which I had owned for a few years and washed many times, and the Target pants were shorter. I measured them and they were two inches shorter. This was disappointing but not shocking after all they were a budget store brand.
The same happened with a pair of Dockers Ultimate chinos. After wearing them and washing them for a few months I noticed they were shorter. I stretched these out beside my Haggars and Levis jeans and the Dockers were an inch shorter. By this time the Haggars and Levis were a year older and washed many more times and still didn't shrink. I expected more from Dockers.
What's Going On
Now when I buy pants I wonder if they will shrink or not. I've bought clothes from L.L.Bean for decades without an issue, it is a company I trust. Though I've never bought their chinos I see in the description they say 'shrink resistant.' I wish all brands would address shrinkage.
I'm Not Particularly Eager To Fuss With My Clothes
I like to wear my clothes, wash them, and repeat. For years! I know some clothes like suits and wool sweaters have to be dry cleaned but for everyday clothes I don't like a lot of fuss. Special washing instructions should be for special clothes.
The Bottom Line
When I first had the shrinkage problem I wondered what I did wrong and how I could fix it. But I noticed that some pants shrink and some don't. I wash my pants the same, in a cold or warm wash, and dry them on low heat. I got different results. Air drying could probably solve the shrinkage problem. It's nice to hang clothes out on the clothesline and let them dry in the sunshine and fresh air but it isn't always practical. What if it's raining, or in the dead of winter?
I just have to know which brands shrink and which ones don't and realize that if I like a shinky brand I will have to fuss with them more and hope for the best. I wish the clothing companies would address this problem because it is annoying.