Everyone from Samaire Armstrong (Fox's "The O.C.") to the Olsen twins (a.k.a Mary-Kate and Ashley) has done the DIY thing, so why shouldn’t you?
It’s not necessary to be Little Miss Suzy Homemaker. As long as you have a bit of creativity and a handful of boring clothes, you’re on your way.
Minis are huge for spring, but why buy a new one? Make your own jean skirt for maximum style for minimum dollars.
After five pairs of the same basic jeans, funky touches and stylin’ details are essential for pepping up your wardrobe.
It’s not necessary to be Little Miss Suzy Homemaker. As long as you have a bit of creativity and a handful of boring clothes, you’re on your way.
Minis are huge for spring, but why buy a new one? Make your own jean skirt for maximum style for minimum dollars.
- '80s high-waisted jeans are perfect for this, but unless you normally wear things at your actual waistline, go for a pair a few sizes too big that fit your hips (or wherever you wear your pants). It’s important that the fly area is long enough for the length of your skirt.
- Goodwill is a key spot for finding a cheap pair of old jeans, but mom’s old denims might work, too – just be sure to check with her!
- Once you have your jeans, simply cut the legs off where they meet (underneath the crotch). Be super careful to cut in a straight line. Voila! You have a new mini.
- Any jeans will work for this – new, old, high-waisted, low-waisted – as long as they fit.
- Dig them out from the bottom of your shelf. This is the perfect time to finally wear those old or unflattering jeans that haven’t been touched in ages.
- Cut the legs off at your desired skirt length. Open up the inside leg & crotch seam with a seam-ripper. Next, seam-rip the seam starting at the bottom of the fly, going down to the front hem. Depending on the thickness of the denim, either lay the curved seam over the other side and sew or fold the curved seam under to form a straight seam and sew. If needed, trim shorter for an even final hem.
After five pairs of the same basic jeans, funky touches and stylin’ details are essential for pepping up your wardrobe.
- Cut slits on the bottom hem – inside, outside, or both, depending on the look you want. This looks fabu when worn with heels or boots.
- For an undone, vintage flair, chop the waistband of your too-high denims off. This works best if you seam-rip the belt loops first.
- You’ve seen the $100+ “vintage” jeans at A&F. Make your own by wearing the edges with a cheesegrater, creating holes with a seamripper, and removing a back pocket here or a change pocket there.