1st & 15th: DIY High Waisted Vintage Shorts

Multifarious Me: Connoisseur and Scavenger of the Contradicting, Dope, and Chic.

mul-ti-far-i-ous :adjective
selective. diverse. {Slang} dope.
Thoughts derived from the best of various styles, methods and ideas.

I am Ariel. I love. I live. I pop thrift store tags. Grab a pen and a pad…take notes.

Get YOUR #LovinTheView shirt HERE—> http://thedjview.bigcartel.com/product/they-lovin-the-view-t-shirt

DIY-High Waisted Vintage Shorts: Distressed Denim Goes Chic for Spring.

I am often approached with the question, “Are the topics you write about applicable to the
average person? Or do you have to be a celebrity to pull off these fits?”. There is no hierarchy
when it comes to fashion. Encompassing the confidence to pull off a fit is all it takes. I may not
spend $300.00 on a fit but the level of creativity and effort put into it makes it just as dope. This
was partly my motivation for this article. It combines items you already have at home with others
you can purchase at your local thrift shop. Your total out of pocket expense should be no more
than $5.00 for the entire project if done correctly. I am all about this life!

High-waisted mini-shorts have flooded the runways, infiltrating collections of even the most
sophisticated designers like Louis Vuitton and Jason Wu. Stars like Beyonce and Rihanna
embraced this effortless, sexy trend in 2011 with no-holds barred. Vintage has never looked so
good! I am absolutely in love with taking modern twists on an old fit. This Do It Yourself project
is sure to boost your Spring/Summer 2012 wardrobe with minimal effort.

What you will need:

1 pencil
1 pair of scissors. Preferably fabric/hair scissors
1 ruler
1 pair of vintage denim jeans

Before I get started, I would like to provide some parameters when it comes to selecting the
perfect denim for this project.

Although you may have jeans at home you don’t particularly wear, I encourage you to venture
out to your local thrift store. My shop of choice is Goodwill as they normally have a wide selection
and the cost is ridiculously low. As lame as it may sound, you are searching for the typical “mom
jean”. Nothing screams vintage more. The waist is high, the craftsmanship is exquisite, and the
detailing is perfection. I have found that Levi’s, Guess, and Calvin Klein brand work best, as you
want the material to fray to create the ideal vintage effect. Now, let’s get started!

1. Decide what length of shorts you desire. Simple. Try them on!

Short shorts have a hemline of 2-3 inches. Take into consideration where you will wear them
and with what type of shoe to avoid a cheek show!

2. Grab a pencil. Just one mark!

Measure using your own judgment for length, remembering that you can always take away
length but adding is impossible. Using your pencil, place a mark on one pant leg as a frame of
reference for cutting.

3. Lay your jeans on a flat surface. Grab your pencil and a ruler.

Take your ruler and draw a light pencil line straight across the pant leg marked in step 2. This
will help guide you in your cutting. Plus, pencil comes out in the washing machine in case you
don’t cut exactly on the line.

4. Grab your scissors. One cut to start.

Cut straight across following the guide line made in step 3. Make sure not to cut the pocket
underneath as it will add to the vintage appeal. Fold the leg you have just cut, on top of the
other. Use the already cut pant leg as your guide to cut straight across on the second pant leg.
This will ensure that both legs are even. At this point you can try on the shorts to ensure they
are the proper length or simply eyeball it.

5. Scissors are now your best friend. Let’s distress!

There are two options for this step. If you prefer just a frayed hem, your work is done! Simply
wash and dry the shorts, turning them inside out and voila! The washer and dryer does all of the
work. If you are interested in the distressed or frayed effect over the surface of the denim, it’s
just as simple.

Locate the area in which you want to be distressed. Using your scissors, cut slits into the denim
horizontally about three quarters of an inch in height and as wide as you prefer. Make several
slits above and below one another for best results. If the slits are too small, once washed and
dried there will just be a hole in it’s place which is ok if small but not for true distressed appeal.
Spacing is key! Make slits wherever your fashionable heart desires.

6. Lastly, Turn inside out, wash and dry. The slits will fray automatically!

I hope you all find success using this DIY. I have provided a few examples as a guide in getting
your creative juices flowing. Remember, Engineer this trend! Don’t pay for it! Until next time Be
Bold. Be Dope. Be You. Follow me @JustAriii

Mar 01, 2012 | Categories: Clothing | Tags: 1st & 15th, DIY high Waisted Vintage Shorts, Fashion, JustAriii, The Artistic Insanity, The Asylum, Women's Fashion | Leave A Comment »