Video: How To Distress Your Denim

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When it comes to denim, nothing beats that perfectly broken in, rugged and ripped pair of jeans that look like they’ve been lived in. But sometimes it’s hard to get them just right – especially if you’re trying to do it yourself. I know I’ve ruined a couple of pairs of jeans trying to cut holes in them that don’t look fake. We asked our senior designer for washed wovens (which includes denim) to show us how to get that perfectly distressed look!

 

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Other related posts: DIY: Update Your CutoffsDIY Studded Shorts

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Kelsey
11 years ago

I never understood why anyone would want to do this to their jeans..

11 years ago

Great DIY! I’ve always wanted to try this but didn’t know the best approach. All I need is a cheap pair of jeans to practice on. :)

Christina
http://www.becauseofmadalene.com

11 years ago

thank you for this tutorial! this is so much easier than how i’ve done it before

11 years ago

I destroy my denim and make jeans into shorts all of the time. However, I have found that using a blade like that creates a look that is to precise and “intentional.” My tip:- cut off the pant leg at the VERY bottom, right against the seam, and use a fork!! Pull the strings away from the jean. It creates an INCREDIBLE frayed look that is fast and requires no washer!

Maggie Rose
ethereal-rose.tumblr.com

Hannah
11 years ago

Love the distressed denim look, although I am still loathe to take a razor to my jeans…I’ll practice with an old pair! How do you do the hair of the gorgeous model in the picture? I think my hair is of a similar texture so I’d be keen to see a tutorial on how to get the defined but natural looking waves.

11 years ago

perfectly broken in,This style I very like it! And dressing them up with a sexy top and heels for a night out! pls tell me how to get it.I want to have it!

Stacy
11 years ago

Love it? How would you distress High waisted Jean shorts I cut from pants?

Stacy
11 years ago

I meant Love it!!!!

11 years ago

we love it!!

DIY and more:
http://diyearte.blogspot.com

Amanda
11 years ago

I love this vest so much!

Autumn
11 years ago

Love this; thank you!
Would it work on jeans that have stretch?….like, 73% cotton, 25%polyester & 2% spandex?
I have some skinnies that need some destruction!

Alexandra J.
11 years ago

I just started finished ripping them and cutting everything… cant wait til i toss them in the washer!!!!!!

Lyss
11 years ago

@autumn totally, i’ve already done it

Bailey
11 years ago

After you have worn these several times and want to wash them, will they fray more each time you wash? I want to be able to wash them, but not have them be completely destroyed more and more!

Ron H
11 years ago

Bailey– In my experience, it will fray a little each washing depending on additional wear that occurs between washings that may add more damage. But it shouldn’t be much, especially if you wash them on a gentle cycle, and only run them through the dryer for perhaps 10 minutes at most until they’re damp dry, and then hang them to dry the rest of the way. (I throw mine over a shower rod or across the top of an open sliding shower door in the spare bathroom to dry.) The heat from the dryer is where the real damage gets done–heat weakens the thread structure and makes it susceptible to break and tear much more easily. My jeans last much longer and don’t shrink since I started hang-drying them.

Nichole
11 years ago

Love this – can’t wait to do it to my boyfriend jeans this weekend.

Any idea what the song is playing at the end?

meg
10 years ago

Mine usually does it the natural way. ;)

http://happinessiscreating.com/

Knitascarf
10 years ago

I love the distressed look and always wondered how to do it so thanks. http://www.learnhowtoknitascarf.com

Alexandra J.
10 years ago

I tried doing this, and it honestly didn’t come out very well… I thought it would work, but was very disappointed. Oh well!

10 years ago

distressing the jeans is the new way of fasion now a days so try it because its makes the jeans look different

someone
10 years ago

…I have destroyed sooo many jeans,but i have a pair,that barely fit,and I am gonna give them to the thrift store,or salvation army soon,so ID mind destroying them. gonna try it!! will post results after!!

Sofia
10 years ago

The video is not working :(

maddi
10 years ago

Can I ask what jeans you are wearing in the first photo? The denim is gorgeous!

Emma
10 years ago

This video was very helpful! However, the videography made it very difficult to watch – it kept going in an out of focus which was really distracting :(

dafne
10 years ago

I have a pair of very long jeans and I am planning to destroy them as you showed in the video, but I need advice here: Can I trim the length just with a scissors and not sew them? or should I take them to the tailor to fix the hem first before destroy them?