How to Make Your Own Vintage Jeans
With the outrageous prices of modern vintage knockoffs and the scarcity of quality used denim pieces, it is no wonder why many people are looking for an easier alternative to owning a pair of vintage jeans. One inexpensive method is to simply make your own from an old pair of jeans you no longer wear.
Hear is a quick list of techniques you can use to make those worn-once jeans look like they just came out of a time capsule.
Cut Them Up
If you are looking for the swiss cheese effect, then the best place to start is with razor or utility knife. Both of these tools are sharp enough to cut, but they are also easy to control so you won’t accidentally go overboard. The cutting process is simple enough, but you’ll need to fray the cuts so they look more authentic. Do this by gently rubbing them with a coarse piece of sandpaper. You can also use this strategy to create more natural looking holes without actually cutting the denim.
Wear Them Down
In order to achieve the natural aged look you’ll need to speed up time by using sandpaper or a cheese grater. Start with the knees and work your way up to the thighs. It is important to work on each leg a little bit at a time to avoid an unbalanced look. Once you start seeing the white of the threads you should be gentle since unintended tears can occur.
Bleach Bomb
This is where most people ruin there hard work. Unless you are looking for an acid washed effect then you have to be careful with how much bleach you use. Always start conservative by adding just a capful to your wash after the water has filled up. Each pair of jeans will react differently and you won’t know what to expect until after a couple of wash cycles. If you want to spot treat them, apply a mild solution of bleach and water with a spray bottle before putting them in the machine. Use the “mist spray” setting for an even application.
Fray the Edges
In order to get the most authentic look, you will have to work on fraying the edges of your jeans. This includes the waistband, pocket area, and leg cuffs. Once again sandpaper is your best friend. Sometimes it is easier to attach a large piece of sandpaper to a board or wall and run these edges over the surface. This lets you cover more ground in a shorter amount of time.
Add Some Mileage
While you can spend hours trying to vintage your jeans, one of the most effective things you can do is simply wear and wash them repeatedly. Obviously you want them to look good before you take them out on the town, but there are plenty of opportunities to add some miles to them without making public appearances. You can wear them while doing household chores, light construction, and even when you are walking the dog. Just make sure you don’t do any activities like painting that may stain them forever.
Making your own vintage jeans will take some effort, but it is a great alternative to high priced retail outlets or trying to hunt for the perfect pair at a thrift store. Once you have made a couple of pairs you will have a system that will make future attempts that much smoother. Who knows – if you get good at it then you can charge your friends for your vintage services.
Cool Places to Find Old Jeans
If you have a passion for buying vintage jeans then you know that the thrill of the hunt is the best part of your obsession. Sure there are plenty of modern labels that are selling replicas of worn jeans, but the true connoisseurs are only satisfied with the real thing. This means you have to do some digging. Here are a few good places to begin your search.
Thrift Stores
If you can handle the musty odors and endless racks of junk to sort through, then thrift stores can be a goldmine for vintage clothes. While many of them have caught onto the value of collectibles such as jewelry and old books, they rarely separate the good clothes from the bad. This can provide you with an untapped source of hip clothing to choose from.
eBay
This auction marketplace is filled with great finds for anyone who is willing to browse the listings on a regular basis. Since most sellers are aware of the demand for vintage fashions, you may not find the cheapest prices, but the quality of the items tends to be high. Best of all, you can do all of your shopping from home.
Estate Sales
These liquation sales are used by relatives who are trying to quickly get rid of all the possessions of a loved one who is sick or has passed away. They typically include the entire contents of a home…including wardrobes. The best part for vintage buyers is the fact that these sales normally feature old or outdated items, making them the perfect place to find deals on clothes. If you are lucky, you can find entire collections of jeans for less than $20.
Online Stores
There are a handful of vintage clothing stores that offer an online inventory. This is an easy way to search for items that may interest you. Unfortunately however, it can be difficult to find particular styles and sizes since supply is limited. You may also notice that many of these specialty shops charge a premium for there products. Nonetheless, it is still worth browsing the net to see what you can come up with.
Feeding your vintage jeans fetish is not always easy. Since we are talking about products that are no longer made, it is not as simple as visiting your local retailer. However, those who put in the time and effort are usually rewarded with a one-of-a-kind fashion statement that can really turn the heads of your admirers.
What Makes Vintage Jeans Hot
Vintage denim is on fire right now, and most of the major clothing outfitters have begun to produce their own line of replica vintage. So what is all of the fuss about? For the connoisseurs there is not substitute for a well-worn pair of jeans. As denim ages is become softer and more form fitting. These clothes seem to become one with body, making for an incredibly comfortable fit.
But it is not all about comfort that drives this fashion statement. We all like to add some creativity and prowess to our fashion motifs and this is where vintage clothes can deliver a powerful message. The simple fact is that old jeans are rare jeans, and this translates into a uniqueness and individuality that you simply can find at your local mega-mall. Fashion has always been about creativity, and by dipping into the past you can paint a complete picture of yourself that no one can copy.
There is another element to vintage jeans shopping that cannot be recreated at modern retail outlets. That is the thrill of the search. Vintage shoppers are accustomed to having to squeeze, pull, and pry there way into clothes that almost fit. This is the price a true hunter will pay for the allure of classic style. Sure you can choose from a zillion different sizes on retail racks, but anyone can have those. A rare find of the perfect vintage jeans is a call of destiny…not just a credit card.
So why have vintage jeans become so desirable? The formula is quite simple. They are comfortable, unique, and hard to find. They create their own market demand by being hard to obtain. Of course the big retailers will always have a substitute, but only those who experience vintage denim will ever know the difference.
