3 Easy Ways to Reinvent Your Jeans This Summer

It wouldn’t take a genius to realise I’m obsessed with denim. You just need to take one look through the My Style files to see that 95% of my daytime outfits feature the humble fabric. So far this spring I’ve experimented with denim shirt dresses, dungarees, flares and A-line skirts. But at the end of the day nothing can compete with a great pair of jeans. And here are three super-simple denim DIY projects to try out on your tired old jeans from seasons past this summer….

Frayed Hems – Difficulty Rating 1

Raw hemlines are having a moment, and with Donna Ida‘s guidance I recently frayed a pair of her IDA high rise skinnies. The first step is pretty scary – grab a pair of fabric scissors and slice the hem off your jeans. Then use a pin or tweezers to pull out the white weft threads which run horizontally along the bottom of the legs (it’s easier to see them if you turn the jeans inside-out). The more threads you pull the more dramatic the frayed hem. And if any of the loose threads are too long you can trim them for a fluffier look.

Donna Ida Says: “Frayed hems work best on jeans that sit away from the ankle a bit – so not a jegging that’s very tight on the leg. Crops and flares look amazing with raw hemlines too, so if you’re petite and have to get your flares taken-up a frayed hem is a great solution, as it will sit a lot better than a re-hem. And, the more you wash frayed jeans the more lived-in and authentic the raw hem with become.”

Giant Turn-Ups – Difficulty Rating 0

Admittedly this isn’t a look for everyone. And it’s also not exactly on trend this season either, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t give it a go. Instead of rolling the hems of your jeans up a few times until you get a tight little turn-up, try something more dramatic and fold them into one, giant turn-up. The style works best on looser fits, like boyfriend and straight leg jeans and should always be worn with a heel. If you need further convincing this final fact might help sell you – Carrie Bradshaw was a fan of the look…

Patches – Difficulty Rating 3

Bored of last summer’s distressed jeans? Then reinvent them with this simple trick… Turn said jeans inside out and place scraps of denim (preferably in a different wash) over any holes. Pin into place and then sew a square shape around the edge using white thread, either by hand or with a machine. Voila – you have yourself a pair of patched-up jeans!

Donna Ida Says: “Patches can be used to repair worn-out much-loved jeans, or to add texture and interest to ripped jeans. If you want the patch to disappear into the denim you can zigzag back and forth across the top of the jeans, holding the same colour patch in place underneath. This will make the patch disappear into the denim. And remember to always fray the edges around the patch!”

XXX

And, if customisation isn’t your thing, remember you can also visit Donna Ida boutiques to get your jeans transformed – they have a fantastic alternation service. Which denim DIY styles are you keen to try this summer?

(All images via Pinterest – frayed hems Song of Style)

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