As seasons change, along with trends, I am guessing you have a few pairs of jeans that get tossed to the side and forgotten about. Well, dig those old jeans out! I have some ideas that may help you freshen up your denim selection. I have tried each of these ideas myself and personally, I love them. Here are some cheap and easy ways to make your old jeans feel new again.
1. Paint splatter
If you are going for a creative/artsy look with your old denim, you will love this idea! All you have to do is go to a craft store and pick out paint colors that you like and think will flow nicely on your jeans. Once you have your colors established, lay your jeans on newspaper or anything that will protect your flooring and start splattering the paint where you think it will look best! Just a heads up, after one wash the paint will look a little dull so make sure to pick bright colors.
2. Patches
Whether you know how to sew or not, this look is simple to achieve. For those who do not know how to sew, local craft stores sell iron on patches. It is a simple process; all you have to do is buy the fabric, then cut the patches to your desired size and iron on! For those that know how to sew, cut out your patches, then fold all the sides in and press them with an iron and finish by stitching them on with your favorite color thread! Personally, I chose different patterns in similar color palettes that complement each other, such as, floral, stripes, polka dots, etc. The different patterns give the once old jeans a new, fun and unique look.
3. Dip dye with bleach
This is one of the easiest denim hacks yet. Simply mix bleach and water and let the bottoms of your jeans soak in the mixture for about an hour. If you prefer, you can also bleach just the top half of your jeans. After your jeans have been successfully bleached, take them out and wash and dry (due to the bleach, wash separately or with a load of whites so you do not mess up your colored clothing). Just like that your old jeans have a completely new look.
4. Raw hem/uneven hem
If you follow trends, I am sure you gave seen the raw hem detail on jeans everywhere. Instead of paying up to $75 for a pair at stores, such as Zara or H&M, you can easily make your own. To make raw hem jeans, all you need to do is cut the bottom of your jeans with heavy-duty scissors to about ankle length. After that, I just use a pair of tweezers to pull out some threads so the cut isn’t so straight. Another thing I like to do is cut the front of the leg opening noticeably shorter than the back. This trend is unique, but still subtle. After cutting, just throw them in the washer and dryer. When the jeans come out, they have a frayed look to them that I love!
5. Simple stitching
You don’t need a sewing machine for this fun and easy DIY. Just go to a craft store and pick out your favorite color thread and a couple of sewing needles. I prefer to use thicker thread so you can see the stitching easier. Once you have your supplies you can head home and get started. I like to focus on the pockets of my denim for this DIY, so choose the top seam of either your front or back pockets. Just take your thread and needle and start looping around the top of your pocket, keeping the loops close together for a thick and colored border. Voila, a new look achieved! Now you can have fun revitalizing your old jeans for a new look.