Time for a Wardrobe Revamp!
Don't throw out those old jeans ...
Turn them into your own personalities with tips from:
Denim Revolution
For over four centuries denim has been a part of this world's diverse fabric. Whether you're pulling on a pair of Lee or Levi Strauss, bell-bottom or boot-cut, the assortment of brands and styles to choose from seems endless nowadays when it comes to denim trousers. The popularity of jeans has morphed from being synonymous with hard work to setting the latest trends in style and design.
No longer is comfort and durability the main criteria to finding that favourite pair of jeans. Before that special pair rises from the denim pile it has to hold up to newest standards established by THE power house called 'The Fashion Industry'.
Through the years, many different denim treatments have been introduced, including pre-washed, stone-washed, sandblasted, and vintage or dirty, which has not only jazzed up the jeans but also the price. As they saunter down the runway, words like 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind' have caused a boom for designer jeans, and revolutionized how these pants fit into the average closet, as well as the average budget. In a fluctuating economy affordability is more and more of a driving force when trying to find that perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.
Note 2: For reference about the history of denim (yes, the fabric IS that old - and Levis didn't invent it but rather reconstructed the concept) you can visit: http://www.bluejeanhistory.com/ and http://blog.denimgeek.com/history-of-denim/
Craft your Own
Enhance your pants
Instead of trying to hunt down that ideal, affordable pair of originals, why not enlist your creative side to enhance your pants? Yes, those elite, genuine bogus designer knock-offs could be hiding in your very own closet right now. All you have to do is add some of your flair to them.
The trick is to dig out the comfiest pair (since they'll be worn quite a bit), no matter how ratty, tattered, or stained, which will simply enhances the look, then by adding just enough individuality in just the right places, you'll be the one setting trends in your neighborhood.
Here are a few ways of putting our stamp on any pair of jeans, without having to pay the big designer dollars.
Ponder the possibilities
A good place to start is to gauge whether or not the jeans require alterations, repairs, or cleaning, although a good wash is always recommended before beginning. Think of the jeans as your canvas. Find a celebrity pair that you like and tweak it to suit you. Basically, if you were able to cover one or two of your legs with removable tattoos, frills, or embellishments - 'body bling' - then what would it be? Plan it out, gather your supplies, and then set aside some time.
Bleaching
Bleach is the easiest, fastest, and most striking add-on. You can use a paintbrush, a sponge, a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a soaking tub to make dots, lines, or blobs, whiten one leg, two legs, or use the tie-dye technique for a fast and easy distinctive look. If you plan on painting on your jeans, you may want to bleach (then wash) those areas before painting to make the color stand out.
It can take some time for the subtle qualities of bleach to show through, so don't go too hard too fast. It's best to slowly add, since you can't put back the color you've taken away. Heat from a blow-dryer or sunshine can quicken the process, allowing you to work faster, but trial and error is all too often the best teacher. You may not always get the desired effect, but part of the fun is the surprise at the end.
Results - whitish?
Since manufacturers may have dyed the jeans, leaving the original colour of the fabric a bit of a mystery, rather than the white you'd expect from bleach, jeans can turn an unhealthy-looking dirty yellow, so test a small, unseen area (inside the waist, for example) to be sure you can live with the color. Remember, bleach will weaken the fabric, making it easier if you later want to distress the jeans, but also making them wear out a lot faster, shortening their life-span.
TIP
Do be careful how and where you choose to experiment with bleach since it will quickly, and sometimes uncontrollably, affect everything in the vicinity. It's recommended that you wear old clothes and gloves. Bleach can destroy surfaces, including your beautiful hands and nails. Slip plastic bags inside leg to produce different effects in front and back of leg. Use string or elastic bands to scrunch up various areas and create a tie-dye effect with bleach or color.
Paints and dyes
Painting on jeans is a clever way of covering unwanted stains, but it's also a brilliant way to make your own original mark. Along with the traditional fabric dyes out there, fabric paint is now available in a variety of colors. You can also purchase just the fabric binding medium that can be mixed with acrylic paint in the colour of your choice. Painting on denim isn't as easy and controllable as it sounds, but the results can be breathtaking.
While you should always follow the directions of individual products, the process usually involves allowing the painted art to dry for 12 to 24 hours, heat binding the colour into the fabric (a hot iron for about a minute on the reverse or throw them into a hot dryer for a bit), then washing as usual. For store-bought dyes, just follow the directions on the packet.
Fixative Recipe
- Serves: 1 Pair of Jeans
- Prep Time: about an hour
- Total Time: 1 and a half hour
Just like paints need to have a binder to 'fix' the colour to the fabric, many home-made dyes and colors need a fixative in order for the color to 'stick' to the fabric first. Keep in mind that since denim is such a durable fabric, it's also difficult to 'stain' your desired color.
A simple rule to remember is Salt for fruit dyes, and vinegar for flowers, leaves, or plants.
Ingredients
- Salt Fixer Recipe: 1/2 cup salt to 8 cups cold water
- Vinegar Fixative Recipe: 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar
Instructions
Simmer fabric in Salt or Vinegar fixative for about an hour, rinse, ring out, and then place item in dye or color bath.
Home made color dyes
Since darker jeans can help create the illusions of longer legs, if you want to gain height then try dying your jeans a shade or two darker. A quick way of doing this is by using strongly brewed coffee or tea. Both will give you varying colours depending on the strength as well as type of java or tea, but will also wash out over time so you may want to try a binder such as vinegar to prolong the color. Just soak the jeans in the pre-brewed liquid and keep checking for desired darkness (keeping in mind that they will lighten after every wash) - this can take up to 12 hours.
There are many ways of creating your own natural dyes from things found in your home. Spices such as Turmeric will give lovely shades of yellow, while fruits like blueberries and plumbs will give a range of blues, violets and reds. The garment can be simmered in the dye or color bath for an hour, or placed in the cooling bath water and left overnight. It all depends on the type of dye, fabric, and desired effect. The fun part is experimenting.
Tip
It's a good idea to wear gloves and old clothing. Like bleach, it's surprising how many stains get created from careless handling of paints and dyes, even home-made ones.
Embellishment
From buttons and bows, to bling-a-ding-ding nothing seems taboo when it comes to jeans. The limit is simply your personal style and taste. I find it helps to choose something that is meaningful to you, while keeping in mind that setting-off metal detectors is more hassle than it's worth. You can remove a belt, but you don't want to have to strip down to your skivvies. Also remember that the location of these items is important, particularly 'bulging' things like buttons or jewellery, since sitting or kneeling on them may not be comfortable, or advisable.
Sewing on pieces of fabric, leather, rope, or ribbon is also a nice touch. I do everything by hand, to ensure it stays-put. For my first 'embellished' pair of jeans I got my friends to sign their names, which I then sewed over in various colours. Sadly, after years of stylish comfort, they are no longer with us.
Distressing
Compared to most fabrics, denim's durability makes it perfect for distressing. Distressing such as grazes and holes should be saved for the end in order to achieve that more natural, aged look. Testing any technique before applying it is a good policy, but it's especially important with distressing techniques, since these can truly make or break the look and feel when it comes to pants. Basically, you're trying to achieve natural-looking abrasions, but try not to hack away at your pants without trying them on periodically. This will ensure that you don't destroy your jeans, and still have fabric in all the important places.
For end Frays, make a small cut where you to fray, leaving a raw edge. Knives, graters, clippers, pumice stones, or various grit sandpapers will pull the unattached threads away, but hanging items outside or washing a few times will help enhance the fray naturally over time. Cut frayed straggling threads that get too long, since they can become hazards, and use care when handling any kind of sharp tools. Try to steer clear of the stitching since this will only shorten the wear-ability of your jeans.
Hopefully this will spark some creativity within you, as well as save you a bundle of money while making you the talk of denim-town. Like all things, everything in moderation.
TIP
Try placing an item, such as a square coaster, in the back pocket and distressing the shape gently with sandpaper. This will give it a look of a wallet having lived in there for years.
Sometime less is more
Don't overdo the look you're aiming for since you can easily go from shabby chic to drabby geek.
Denim Revolution
For over four centuries denim has been a part of this world's diverse fabric. Whether you're pulling on a pair of Lee or Levi Strauss, bell-bottom or boot-cut, the assortment of brands and styles to choose from seems endless nowadays when it comes to denim trousers. The popularity of jeans has morphed from being synonymous with hard work to setting the latest trends in style and design.
No longer is comfort and durability the main criteria to finding that favourite pair of jeans. Before that special pair rises from the denim pile it has to hold up to newest standards established by THE power house called 'The Fashion Industry'.
Through the years, many different denim treatments have been introduced, including pre-washed, stone-washed, sandblasted, and vintage or dirty, which has not only jazzed up the jeans but also the price. As they saunter down the runway, words like 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind' have caused a boom for designer jeans, and revolutionized how these pants fit into the average closet, as well as the average budget. In a fluctuating economy affordability is more and more of a driving force when trying to find that perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.
Note 2: For reference about the history of denim (yes, the fabric IS that old - and Levis didn't invent it but rather reconstructed the concept) you can visit: http://www.bluejeanhistory.com/ and http://blog.denimgeek.com/history-of-denim/
Craft your Own
Enhance your pants
Instead of trying to hunt down that ideal, affordable pair of originals, why not enlist your creative side to enhance your pants? Yes, those elite, genuine bogus designer knock-offs could be hiding in your very own closet right now. All you have to do is add some of your flair to them.
The trick is to dig out the comfiest pair (since they'll be worn quite a bit), no matter how ratty, tattered, or stained, which will simply enhances the look, then by adding just enough individuality in just the right places, you'll be the one setting trends in your neighborhood.
Here are a few ways of putting our stamp on any pair of jeans, without having to pay the big designer dollars.
Ponder the possibilities
A good place to start is to gauge whether or not the jeans require alterations, repairs, or cleaning, although a good wash is always recommended before beginning. Think of the jeans as your canvas. Find a celebrity pair that you like and tweak it to suit you. Basically, if you were able to cover one or two of your legs with removable tattoos, frills, or embellishments - 'body bling' - then what would it be? Plan it out, gather your supplies, and then set aside some time.
Bleaching
Bleach is the easiest, fastest, and most striking add-on. You can use a paintbrush, a sponge, a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a soaking tub to make dots, lines, or blobs, whiten one leg, two legs, or use the tie-dye technique for a fast and easy distinctive look. If you plan on painting on your jeans, you may want to bleach (then wash) those areas before painting to make the color stand out.
It can take some time for the subtle qualities of bleach to show through, so don't go too hard too fast. It's best to slowly add, since you can't put back the color you've taken away. Heat from a blow-dryer or sunshine can quicken the process, allowing you to work faster, but trial and error is all too often the best teacher. You may not always get the desired effect, but part of the fun is the surprise at the end.
Results - whitish?
Since manufacturers may have dyed the jeans, leaving the original colour of the fabric a bit of a mystery, rather than the white you'd expect from bleach, jeans can turn an unhealthy-looking dirty yellow, so test a small, unseen area (inside the waist, for example) to be sure you can live with the color. Remember, bleach will weaken the fabric, making it easier if you later want to distress the jeans, but also making them wear out a lot faster, shortening their life-span.
TIP
Do be careful how and where you choose to experiment with bleach since it will quickly, and sometimes uncontrollably, affect everything in the vicinity. It's recommended that you wear old clothes and gloves. Bleach can destroy surfaces, including your beautiful hands and nails. Slip plastic bags inside leg to produce different effects in front and back of leg. Use string or elastic bands to scrunch up various areas and create a tie-dye effect with bleach or color.
Paints and dyes
Painting on jeans is a clever way of covering unwanted stains, but it's also a brilliant way to make your own original mark. Along with the traditional fabric dyes out there, fabric paint is now available in a variety of colors. You can also purchase just the fabric binding medium that can be mixed with acrylic paint in the colour of your choice. Painting on denim isn't as easy and controllable as it sounds, but the results can be breathtaking.
While you should always follow the directions of individual products, the process usually involves allowing the painted art to dry for 12 to 24 hours, heat binding the colour into the fabric (a hot iron for about a minute on the reverse or throw them into a hot dryer for a bit), then washing as usual. For store-bought dyes, just follow the directions on the packet.
Fixative Recipe
- Serves: 1 Pair of Jeans
- Prep Time: about an hour
- Total Time: 1 and a half hour
Just like paints need to have a binder to 'fix' the colour to the fabric, many home-made dyes and colors need a fixative in order for the color to 'stick' to the fabric first. Keep in mind that since denim is such a durable fabric, it's also difficult to 'stain' your desired color.
A simple rule to remember is Salt for fruit dyes, and vinegar for flowers, leaves, or plants.
Ingredients
- Salt Fixer Recipe: 1/2 cup salt to 8 cups cold water
- Vinegar Fixative Recipe: 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar
Instructions
Simmer fabric in Salt or Vinegar fixative for about an hour, rinse, ring out, and then place item in dye or color bath.
Home made color dyes
Since darker jeans can help create the illusions of longer legs, if you want to gain height then try dying your jeans a shade or two darker. A quick way of doing this is by using strongly brewed coffee or tea. Both will give you varying colours depending on the strength as well as type of java or tea, but will also wash out over time so you may want to try a binder such as vinegar to prolong the color. Just soak the jeans in the pre-brewed liquid and keep checking for desired darkness (keeping in mind that they will lighten after every wash) - this can take up to 12 hours.
There are many ways of creating your own natural dyes from things found in your home. Spices such as Turmeric will give lovely shades of yellow, while fruits like blueberries and plumbs will give a range of blues, violets and reds. The garment can be simmered in the dye or color bath for an hour, or placed in the cooling bath water and left overnight. It all depends on the type of dye, fabric, and desired effect. The fun part is experimenting.
Tip
It's a good idea to wear gloves and old clothing. Like bleach, it's surprising how many stains get created from careless handling of paints and dyes, even home-made ones.
Embellishment
From buttons and bows, to bling-a-ding-ding nothing seems taboo when it comes to jeans. The limit is simply your personal style and taste. I find it helps to choose something that is meaningful to you, while keeping in mind that setting-off metal detectors is more hassle than it's worth. You can remove a belt, but you don't want to have to strip down to your skivvies. Also remember that the location of these items is important, particularly 'bulging' things like buttons or jewellery, since sitting or kneeling on them may not be comfortable, or advisable.
Sewing on pieces of fabric, leather, rope, or ribbon is also a nice touch. I do everything by hand, to ensure it stays-put. For my first 'embellished' pair of jeans I got my friends to sign their names, which I then sewed over in various colours. Sadly, after years of stylish comfort, they are no longer with us.
Distressing
Compared to most fabrics, denim's durability makes it perfect for distressing. Distressing such as grazes and holes should be saved for the end in order to achieve that more natural, aged look. Testing any technique before applying it is a good policy, but it's especially important with distressing techniques, since these can truly make or break the look and feel when it comes to pants. Basically, you're trying to achieve natural-looking abrasions, but try not to hack away at your pants without trying them on periodically. This will ensure that you don't destroy your jeans, and still have fabric in all the important places.
For end Frays, make a small cut where you to fray, leaving a raw edge. Knives, graters, clippers, pumice stones, or various grit sandpapers will pull the unattached threads away, but hanging items outside or washing a few times will help enhance the fray naturally over time. Cut frayed straggling threads that get too long, since they can become hazards, and use care when handling any kind of sharp tools. Try to steer clear of the stitching since this will only shorten the wear-ability of your jeans.
Hopefully this will spark some creativity within you, as well as save you a bundle of money while making you the talk of denim-town. Like all things, everything in moderation.
TIP
Try placing an item, such as a square coaster, in the back pocket and distressing the shape gently with sandpaper. This will give it a look of a wallet having lived in there for years.
Sometime less is more
Don't overdo the look you're aiming for since you can easily go from shabby chic to drabby geek.
Denim Revolution
For over four centuries denim has been a part of this world's diverse fabric. Whether you're pulling on a pair of Lee or Levi Strauss, bell-bottom or boot-cut, the assortment of brands and styles to choose from seems endless nowadays when it comes to denim trousers. The popularity of jeans has morphed from being synonymous with hard work to setting the latest trends in style and design.
No longer is comfort and durability the main criteria to finding that favourite pair of jeans. Before that special pair rises from the denim pile it has to hold up to newest standards established by THE power house called 'The Fashion Industry'.
Through the years, many different denim treatments have been introduced, including pre-washed, stone-washed, sandblasted, and vintage or dirty, which has not only jazzed up the jeans but also the price. As they saunter down the runway, words like 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind' have caused a boom for designer jeans, and revolutionized how these pants fit into the average closet, as well as the average budget. In a fluctuating economy affordability is more and more of a driving force when trying to find that perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.
Note 2: For reference about the history of denim (yes, the fabric IS that old - and Levis didn't invent it but rather reconstructed the concept) you can visit: http://www.bluejeanhistory.com/ and http://blog.denimgeek.com/history-of-denim/
No longer is comfort and durability the main criteria to finding that favourite pair of jeans. Before that special pair rises from the denim pile it has to hold up to newest standards established by THE power house called 'The Fashion Industry'.
Through the years, many different denim treatments have been introduced, including pre-washed, stone-washed, sandblasted, and vintage or dirty, which has not only jazzed up the jeans but also the price. As they saunter down the runway, words like 'unique' and 'one-of-a-kind' have caused a boom for designer jeans, and revolutionized how these pants fit into the average closet, as well as the average budget. In a fluctuating economy affordability is more and more of a driving force when trying to find that perfect pair to add to your wardrobe.
Note 2: For reference about the history of denim (yes, the fabric IS that old - and Levis didn't invent it but rather reconstructed the concept) you can visit: http://www.bluejeanhistory.com/ and http://blog.denimgeek.com/history-of-denim/
Craft your Own
Enhance your pants
Instead of trying to hunt down that ideal, affordable pair of originals, why not enlist your creative side to enhance your pants? Yes, those elite, genuine bogus designer knock-offs could be hiding in your very own closet right now. All you have to do is add some of your flair to them.
The trick is to dig out the comfiest pair (since they'll be worn quite a bit), no matter how ratty, tattered, or stained, which will simply enhances the look, then by adding just enough individuality in just the right places, you'll be the one setting trends in your neighborhood.
Here are a few ways of putting our stamp on any pair of jeans, without having to pay the big designer dollars.
Ponder the possibilities
A good place to start is to gauge whether or not the jeans require alterations, repairs, or cleaning, although a good wash is always recommended before beginning. Think of the jeans as your canvas. Find a celebrity pair that you like and tweak it to suit you. Basically, if you were able to cover one or two of your legs with removable tattoos, frills, or embellishments - 'body bling' - then what would it be? Plan it out, gather your supplies, and then set aside some time.
Bleaching
Bleach is the easiest, fastest, and most striking add-on. You can use a paintbrush, a sponge, a toothbrush, a washcloth, or a soaking tub to make dots, lines, or blobs, whiten one leg, two legs, or use the tie-dye technique for a fast and easy distinctive look. If you plan on painting on your jeans, you may want to bleach (then wash) those areas before painting to make the color stand out.It can take some time for the subtle qualities of bleach to show through, so don't go too hard too fast. It's best to slowly add, since you can't put back the color you've taken away. Heat from a blow-dryer or sunshine can quicken the process, allowing you to work faster, but trial and error is all too often the best teacher. You may not always get the desired effect, but part of the fun is the surprise at the end.
Results - whitish?
Since manufacturers may have dyed the jeans, leaving the original colour of the fabric a bit of a mystery, rather than the white you'd expect from bleach, jeans can turn an unhealthy-looking dirty yellow, so test a small, unseen area (inside the waist, for example) to be sure you can live with the color. Remember, bleach will weaken the fabric, making it easier if you later want to distress the jeans, but also making them wear out a lot faster, shortening their life-span.TIP
Do be careful how and where you choose to experiment with bleach since it will quickly, and sometimes uncontrollably, affect everything in the vicinity. It's recommended that you wear old clothes and gloves. Bleach can destroy surfaces, including your beautiful hands and nails. Slip plastic bags inside leg to produce different effects in front and back of leg. Use string or elastic bands to scrunch up various areas and create a tie-dye effect with bleach or color.
Paints and dyes
Painting on jeans is a clever way of covering unwanted stains, but it's also a brilliant way to make your own original mark. Along with the traditional fabric dyes out there, fabric paint is now available in a variety of colors. You can also purchase just the fabric binding medium that can be mixed with acrylic paint in the colour of your choice. Painting on denim isn't as easy and controllable as it sounds, but the results can be breathtaking.While you should always follow the directions of individual products, the process usually involves allowing the painted art to dry for 12 to 24 hours, heat binding the colour into the fabric (a hot iron for about a minute on the reverse or throw them into a hot dryer for a bit), then washing as usual. For store-bought dyes, just follow the directions on the packet.
Fixative Recipe
- Serves: 1 Pair of Jeans
- Prep Time: about an hour
- Total Time: 1 and a half hour
Just like paints need to have a binder to 'fix' the colour to the fabric, many home-made dyes and colors need a fixative in order for the color to 'stick' to the fabric first. Keep in mind that since denim is such a durable fabric, it's also difficult to 'stain' your desired color.
A simple rule to remember is Salt for fruit dyes, and vinegar for flowers, leaves, or plants.
A simple rule to remember is Salt for fruit dyes, and vinegar for flowers, leaves, or plants.
Ingredients
- Salt Fixer Recipe: 1/2 cup salt to 8 cups cold water
- Vinegar Fixative Recipe: 4 parts cold water to 1 part vinegar
Instructions
Simmer fabric in Salt or Vinegar fixative for about an hour, rinse, ring out, and then place item in dye or color bath.Home made color dyes
Since darker jeans can help create the illusions of longer legs, if you want to gain height then try dying your jeans a shade or two darker. A quick way of doing this is by using strongly brewed coffee or tea. Both will give you varying colours depending on the strength as well as type of java or tea, but will also wash out over time so you may want to try a binder such as vinegar to prolong the color. Just soak the jeans in the pre-brewed liquid and keep checking for desired darkness (keeping in mind that they will lighten after every wash) - this can take up to 12 hours.
There are many ways of creating your own natural dyes from things found in your home. Spices such as Turmeric will give lovely shades of yellow, while fruits like blueberries and plumbs will give a range of blues, violets and reds. The garment can be simmered in the dye or color bath for an hour, or placed in the cooling bath water and left overnight. It all depends on the type of dye, fabric, and desired effect. The fun part is experimenting.
Tip
It's a good idea to wear gloves and old clothing. Like bleach, it's surprising how many stains get created from careless handling of paints and dyes, even home-made ones.
From buttons and bows, to bling-a-ding-ding nothing seems taboo when it comes to jeans. The limit is simply your personal style and taste. I find it helps to choose something that is meaningful to you, while keeping in mind that setting-off metal detectors is more hassle than it's worth. You can remove a belt, but you don't want to have to strip down to your skivvies. Also remember that the location of these items is important, particularly 'bulging' things like buttons or jewellery, since sitting or kneeling on them may not be comfortable, or advisable.
Compared to most fabrics, denim's durability makes it perfect for distressing. Distressing such as grazes and holes should be saved for the end in order to achieve that more natural, aged look. Testing any technique before applying it is a good policy, but it's especially important with distressing techniques, since these can truly make or break the look and feel when it comes to pants. Basically, you're trying to achieve natural-looking abrasions, but try not to hack away at your pants without trying them on periodically. This will ensure that you don't destroy your jeans, and still have fabric in all the important places.
For end Frays, make a small cut where you to fray, leaving a raw edge. Knives, graters, clippers, pumice stones, or various grit sandpapers will pull the unattached threads away, but hanging items outside or washing a few times will help enhance the fray naturally over time. Cut frayed straggling threads that get too long, since they can become hazards, and use care when handling any kind of sharp tools. Try to steer clear of the stitching since this will only shorten the wear-ability of your jeans.
Hopefully this will spark some creativity within you, as well as save you a bundle of money while making you the talk of denim-town. Like all things, everything in moderation.
Try placing an item, such as a square coaster, in the back pocket and distressing the shape gently with sandpaper. This will give it a look of a wallet having lived in there for years.
Don't overdo the look you're aiming for since you can easily go from shabby chic to drabby geek.
Embellishment
Sewing on pieces of fabric, leather, rope, or ribbon is also a nice touch. I do everything by hand, to ensure it stays-put. For my first 'embellished' pair of jeans I got my friends to sign their names, which I then sewed over in various colours. Sadly, after years of stylish comfort, they are no longer with us.
Distressing
Compared to most fabrics, denim's durability makes it perfect for distressing. Distressing such as grazes and holes should be saved for the end in order to achieve that more natural, aged look. Testing any technique before applying it is a good policy, but it's especially important with distressing techniques, since these can truly make or break the look and feel when it comes to pants. Basically, you're trying to achieve natural-looking abrasions, but try not to hack away at your pants without trying them on periodically. This will ensure that you don't destroy your jeans, and still have fabric in all the important places.
For end Frays, make a small cut where you to fray, leaving a raw edge. Knives, graters, clippers, pumice stones, or various grit sandpapers will pull the unattached threads away, but hanging items outside or washing a few times will help enhance the fray naturally over time. Cut frayed straggling threads that get too long, since they can become hazards, and use care when handling any kind of sharp tools. Try to steer clear of the stitching since this will only shorten the wear-ability of your jeans.
Hopefully this will spark some creativity within you, as well as save you a bundle of money while making you the talk of denim-town. Like all things, everything in moderation.
TIP
Try placing an item, such as a square coaster, in the back pocket and distressing the shape gently with sandpaper. This will give it a look of a wallet having lived in there for years.
Sometime less is more
Don't overdo the look you're aiming for since you can easily go from shabby chic to drabby geek.
