Do you have a spare pair of Levi’s you just don’t love anymore? Or are you sitting on winter shorts that just don’t scream summer pizzazz? No need to return ‘em or give ‘em over to Goodwill just yet, Swagger’s about to breathe life into your denim world! Here are 3 different ways to make those BORING jeans POP:
+Distress/Fray Your Shorts into Cutoffs!
MATERIALS:
- Stanley Knife
- Shorts
- Scissors
Steps:
- Put on your jeans and mark how short you want to cut them.
- Take ‘em off and cut ‘em from the seam inward. Make sure to leave a little fabric inside the leg at the crotch.
- Put them on and see if the length is wearable and comfortable. Alter length if necessary.
- Lay the shorts flat and use the Stanley knife to make a series of horizontal cuts,in whichever form or fashion you find dope. Be sure to move the pockets out of the way, you don’t want to cut them!
- Put the shorts in the washing machine on a normal wash. The movement of the wash will really bring out the frayed white threads.
- Repeat the cutting and washing steps until you’re satisfied.
+ Make Dip Dye Shorts!
Materials:
- Shorts
- Bleach
- Vinegar
- Water
- Bucket
Steps:
- Mix two parts water, one part bleach into a bucket.
- Dip the shorts into the bucket at your desired length. Hold the shorts there for about 15 minutes or find something to hold ‘em up for you!
- After they display the desired shade of white (it may take a few dips to get it exactly how you want it), remove and soak in a sink or bathtub filled with two parts water and one part vinegar for five to ten minutes. This will stop the bleach from continuing to eat at your shorts!
- Let dry completely, and you’re done!
Special Note: The first time you wash them, put them in the dryer ALONE to prevent staining other clothes. After the first dry, they can be placed in other loads.
3. Turn Your Shorts NEON!
Materials:
- Shorts
- Fabric Dye in a BRIGHT color
- Bleach
- Gloves
Steps:
- Fill your bucket with half water and half bleach. Submerge your shorts in the bucket for around 20 minutes, but not more than 30! Swish the shorts around in the water using your gloves.
- Rinse the shorts with clean, cold water and discard the bleach water from the bucket. Put the shorts in the washing machine to discard any extra bleach, and then let dry thoroughly.
- Follow the specific instructions on your fabric dye (the ingredients change depending on the bottle), and mix in a contained area that’s OK to get messy. Let shorts soak in bucket for about 20 minutes, stirring them with a spoon.
- Run the shorts through water and once they rinse clear, give them one last dry cycle.
Be sure to try out these summer short styles, and send in a picture when you’re done! We’d love to see them. Xo!
Hey there!
Great idea! I can see myself doing this to my jeans in the very, very near future lol. One thing though; even though you said to dilute the vinegar in your instructions you REALLY shouldn’t do that. Vinegar and Bleach together causes a toxic gas. Trust me, I would know ;P (your eyes burn like fire and your throat feels choked up and the smell!!! –and I was only exposed to a whiff!) Dangerous thing there!
-Lolaa