DIY - High Low Hem Jeans

This latest trend of high low hem jeans, also known as the step hem is not something I saw coming!  Initially it seemed bizarre, but as with all things fashion if seen often enough, it inevitably catches on.  The drawback is how expensive this style is to purchase, I've seen prices ranging  from $150 to well over $200.  So, I decided to take a very old pair of jeans and risk the alteration experiment.  I'm glad I did, it was easy, they turned out well and pretty authentic looking.   

You need a pair of scissors, a seam ripper, a tape measure or ruler, and a fabric marker or tailors chalk.  The jeans I had were a pair of ankle length straight leg jeans.  They were slightly distressed when I purchased them from The Gap several years ago but have progressively got worse and very worn in. I actually love these jeans although some may say they're past their use by date!

1. Make a mark 2" up from the hem on each seam. Then begin unpicking the stitches right from where the seam is turned under.

2. Once you've unpicked 2" of the seam up from the hem, unpick the other seam.

3. You can mark a line along to use as a cutting guide if you need it. If so, turn the jeans inside out to do this. I just winged it!

4. Remember you're cutting across the "front leg" panel!

5. Then I unpicked the hem along the back leg panel, so the hem came down.  I had to cut off a thin slither at the very end which was so heavily creased under from years of being hemmed up, but this allowed the rest of the let-down hem to hang flat.  Then I washed the jeans so the ends would fray up, and BOOM, off we go!

They will get more frayed with more washes, but I think they look comparative to some of the really expensive brands.

If you don't have any old jeans you want to risk this on, you can purchase almost the same jeans I have in these photos from The Gap below, which are on sale for less than $45.  Since these are considered  boyfriend jeans, you may want to go down a size, so they're not too baggy.   Or you can check out a couple of pairs listed below that have the work already done for you!

Blue jeans always look good with a plain white tee shirt and tan accessories.  It's an effortless look and super stylish, especially with these on trend jeans! I've linked a couple of Splendid tee shirts below, my all time favorites because they're super soft, comfortable and a reasonable price point.  The shoes I'm wearing are old as is the bag, but I've linked similar items, and found this amazing Tory Burch bag below, just look at that little cutie, with that strap... oh my gosh!

I hope you have fun redesigning your jeans into the latest trend.  Please do not hold me responsible for any accidental mishaps that may occur during this process. If you feel you are at risk then "ready made" may be the way to go! Have a wonderful week and thank you for stopping by.
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Karen xox