How to Stretch the Waistline of Your Pants

Co-authored by Paul Julch, MA

Last Updated: April 1, 2024 Fact Checked

If your pants have gotten a little too small in the waist for comfort, or if you perhaps bought a pair a little too optimistically, don’t give up. Before you banish ill-fitting pants to the dark recesses of your closet, try stretching the waistband a bit first. There are a number of different techniques you can try first to get them into a shape that works for you.

Method 1

Method 1 of 5:

Using “Jean Aerobics”

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/d\/de\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-1-Version-3.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-1-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Put on the pants. Pull your pants on as far as you can, ideally to the point where you can zip/button them up. ^{[1]
X
Research source}
- Laying down while buttoning/zipping your pants can also make them easier to get into.
- If you can’t get the pants on far enough to zip them up, first do a little manual pulling. Use your arm strength to pull and stretch the waistband enough that you can pull the pants on. For extra muscle power, step one foot into the waistband, using your foot to hold it to the ground, then grasp the waistband with both hands and pull as hard as you can in the opposite direction.
2
Start moving. Squat down, do lunges, pull each leg up to your chest, or do any other movements that will help pull and stretch the fabric of the pants.
- But be careful not to go so far that you tear the pants.
Advertisement
Test out the pants to see if you’ve stretched them out sufficiently. If not, repeat step two. ^{[2]
X
Research source}

Method 2

Method 2 of 5:

Using a Spray Bottle

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/02\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-4-Version-3.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-4-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Put on the pants. Pull them up as far as you can—if you can zip or button them all the way, you’ll be able to stretch them better.
- If you’re struggling to get the pants all the way on, try laying down while buttoning/zipping the pants—it can make them easier to get into.
2
Get the waistband wet. Use warm water to fill a spray bottle and spray the waistband until it’s thoroughly damp. ^{[3]
X
Research source}
- It is much easier to stretch jeans when they are wet.
3
Start moving. Squat down, do lunges, pull each leg up to your chest, or do any other movements that will help pull and stretch the dampened waistline of the pants. Do this until the waist has reached the desired level of stretch.
- But be careful not to go so far that you tear the pants.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e5\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-7-Version-3.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-7-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

Wear the pants until they’re dry so that the stretch will hold.

Method 3

Method 3 of 5:

Using a Hanger

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/3\/3f\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-8-Version-3.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-8-Version-3.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

1
Put on the pants. Pull your pants on as far as you can, ideally to the point where you can zip/button them up.
- Laying down while buttoning/zipping your pants can also make them easier to get into.
Using a spray bottle or similar, get the waistband of the pants thoroughly wet.
3
Stretch the dampened pants over a hanger. Find a wooden hanger that’s at least larger than half your waistband’s size. Pull the waistband over both ends of the hanger.
- Make sure the waist is stretched tightly across the hanger. If it isn’t, you’ll need to find a larger hanger to use.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/e8\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-11-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-11-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

Keep the pants on the hanger until they’re thoroughly dry.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/e\/ef\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-12-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-12-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

If you need more stretch, repeat the previous steps using a larger hanger.

Method 4

Method 4 of 5:

Using an Iron and Ironing Board

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/0\/06\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-13-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-13-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

Turn on an iron and set it to the highest temperature and steam settings. ^{[4]
X
Research source}
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/4\/4f\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-14-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-14-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

2
Get the pants ready. Zip or button up the pants and pull them over the ironing board until the waist is stretched as far as it can go.
- If you don’t have an ironing board, you can also stretch the waist across a wooden chair (cover it first with a towel to protect the wood) or across a sturdy wooden board like a cutting board.
- You can pull on the waistline at this point as well for some extra stretching.
Then pull as hard as you can on the waistband.
4
Iron the pants. Begin ironing (not steaming) the waistband with one hand while continuing to pull on it with the other. The goal is to iron the waistband until dry.
- Do this around the entire length of the waistband. Don’t, however, go below the stitching of the waistband—if you do, you can end up with pants stretched out in odd places.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/f\/ff\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-17-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-17-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

If you need more stretch, repeat the process again until the right stretch is achieved.

Method 5

Method 5 of 5:

Using the Bathtub

Download Article

{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/72\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-18-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-18-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

You’ll want to pull them up all the way if possible in order to get the best stretch. You can try laying down while buttoning/zipping your pants if you’re not able to pull them all the way on while standing.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/5\/55\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-19-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-19-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

Fill a bathtub with warm water. Get into the bathtub wearing your pants; stay sitting in the water until the pants are completely wet through.
{"smallUrl":"https:\/\/www.wikihow.com\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/v4-460px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","bigUrl":"\/images\/thumb\/7\/78\/Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-20-Version-2.jpg\/aid104302-v4-728px-Stretch-the-Waistline-of-Your-Pants-Step-20-Version-2.jpg","smallWidth":460,"smallHeight":259,"bigWidth":728,"bigHeight":410,"licensing":"<div class=\"mw-parser-output\">\u00a9 2024 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. This image is not<\/b> licensed under the Creative Commons license applied to text content and some other images posted to the wikiHow website. This image may not be used by other entities without the express written consent of wikiHow, Inc. \n<\/p> \n<\/p><\/div>"}

3
Get out of the tub. Dry off any excess water. Continue wearing the pants until for half an hour or until mostly dry.
- If you want more stretch, you can do squats, lunges, pull each leg up to your chest, or do any other movements that will help pull and stretch the fabric of the pants. Do this until you’ve reached the desired level of stretch.
- But be careful not to go so far that you tear the pants.
- Note that this approach will stretch not only the waistband but also the rest of the pants, too.

Community Q&A

Search

Add New Question

Question

Does this work with other pants beside jeans?

Community Answer

I tried it with polyester pants and it worked. You should try Step Two for work pants.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 2 Helpful 14
Question

How long does the stretch last on my waistline of my pants?

Community Answer

For me, it lasts until the next machine washing. But it also depends on the material.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 3 Helpful 7
Question

I have leggings and want to stretch the legs only. Any ideas?

Community Answer

Before you put on leggings, take both the legs of the leggings and step on the part goes by your ankles, then pull upward at the crotch to stretch them out.

Thanks! We're glad this was helpful.
Thank you for your feedback.
If wikiHow has helped you, please consider a small contribution to support us in helping more readers like you. We’re committed to providing the world with free how-to resources, and even $1 helps us in our mission. Support wikiHow
Yes No

Not Helpful 9 Helpful 7

See more answers

Ask a Question

200 characters left

Include your email address to get a message when this question is answered.

Submit

Video

Tips

Denim pants are most amenable to stretching. If your pants are made of a synthetic material, you may find them more difficult to work with. ^{[5]
X
Research source}

Thanks
Helpful 1 Not Helpful 0
If none of the above provides enough stretch, try taking the pants to a tailor, who can then insert a panel of extra fabric to widen the waistband.

Thanks
Helpful 28 Not Helpful 29
Various retailers sell waistband extenders that may also help you get the waistband to the proper size.

Thanks
Helpful 19 Not Helpful 24

Submit a Tip

All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published

Submit

Thanks for submitting a tip for review!

Things You'll Need

pants
ironing board or wooden chair or wooden board (optional)
iron with steam setting (optional)
wooden hanger (optional)
spray bottle filled with warm water (optional)
bathtub filled with warm water (optional)

You Might Also Like

[1]

[2]

[3]

[4]

[5]

Log in

How to Stretch the Waistline of Your Pants

Steps

Using “Jean Aerobics”

Using a Spray Bottle

Using a Hanger

Using an Iron and Ironing Board

Using the Bathtub

Community Q&A

Video

Tips

Things You'll Need

You Might Also Like

References

About This Article

Reader Success Stories

Did this article help you?

Quizzes

You Might Also Like

Featured Articles

Trending Articles

Featured Articles

Featured Articles

Watch Articles

Trending Articles

Explore Categories