how to distress denim

I get asked a lot about my denim jeans and shorts. I probably own 30 pairs of jeans and shorts may even be about the same! (Oops did I write that?!) Surely we can all go out and buy items that are already ripped but sometimes maybe you just want a subtle hole or one that does not show all skin or the non-ripped pair you own or want to buy have a better wash on them and yet if you could only distress them they'd be SO much better. Well, I hope to help you with all of that today.

Tools Needed: pencil, scissors & tweezers

The first thing I usually do is cut knee holes. Even when I buy my jeans that already have knee holes, I almost always rip them even more by simply puling the knee hole from side seam to side seam.

---> knee holes 1. put the jeans on & stand with feet together 2. bend one knee forward to see where your knee cap naturally pokes out, mark a horizontal line with a pencil, right in the middle 3. repeat on opposite side if another hole is desired (you can also mark another spot just below where your front pockets end or upper thigh area (see grey jeans above) or anyplace else you desire a hole or rip, while they are still on) 4. remove and lay flat 5. gently pick up the top layer of denim and using scissor tips make a slash along pencil line 6. I then pull the knee hole and make the hole stretch from seam to seam and that is what I do with my already bought jeans that come with holes (I simply pull them from seam to seam) 7. or keep your slash small for a tiny hole 8. wash and dry
---> other holes with the denim stitching (white strings) still in place (less open looking, less fray and more chic, a little more time consuming) 1. put the jeans on & stand with feet together 2. bend one knee forward to see where your knee cap naturally pokes out, mark a horizontal line with a pencil, right in the middle

3. remove the jeans

4. depending on how large or small you want your hole, you will cut a small slash above pencil mark and a similar sized one below the pencil mark

5. with your tweezers, you will start to pull out the denim fibers or strings in between the two holes (see picture of knee below) that run vertical up and down between the 2 holes this will leave all of your side fibers in tact

6. this can be done all over and is amazing if you just prefer a little distressing and do not want your skin showing

7. wash and dry

---> frayed hems (super trendy right now & I have seriously been doing this since high school) 

1. put on your jeans

2. decide (depending on the inseam) where you would like the new bottom to be

3. mark with a pencil and take them off

4. lay your jeans flat

5. take your scissors and cut off right at the pencil mark or just above the bottom seam  

(rule to remember: pants look most sexy and feminine at your natural ankle length. I like mine to be able to be rolled up one time to that point on my ankle with the frayed part showing)

6. wash and dry to achieve fray

---> cutoff shorts

1. put on the pants or shorts you already own

2. I bend over and look at my inner thigh to see where it naturally starts to go in (as you head down the leg) 

3. make a small line on front side and remove

4. lay flat and cut in a straight line across the leg

5. fold the already cut side onto the long side and use as your guide, continue cutting

6. wash and dry to achieve fray

---> cutoff "short" shorts (back is slightly longer)

1-5 same as above

6. open shorts, lay flat with front side up

7. cut a slight arc from one side to the other on only the front piece of denim

8. repeat on other side (this leaves the back slightly longer)

9. wash and dry

---> cuffed denim shorts (best with a looser fit pant)

1. put on the pants or shorts you already own

2. let your arm hang down naturally to your side 

3. mark about an inch below where your fingertips are hitting and remove

4. cut along line

5. fold the already cut side onto the long side and use as your guide, continue cutting

6. wash and dry

7. fold cuff up once and you will see the frayed edge or fold up twice for a cuffed and more office ready short

8. you can also iron the cuff to keep it in place as well

- - - > S H O P  I N S T E A D < - - -

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