How to Stop Distressed Jeans from Ripping More
Fact: Distressed denim one-ups regular jeans in the nonchalantly cool department. You know what we're talking about. There's something so unmistakably tough about ripped holes and roughed-up patches—even if they are manufactured. Still, destroyed jeans can instantly ground a too-delicate top or give a plain white tee a cavalier 'tude. The only problem? When the holes widen with every wear (or any time you accidentally step through them when you slip on a pair). The good thing, though, is there's a quick and easy solution.
Because ripped holes run horizontally side to side, the goal is to stabilize the hole by strengthening the ends.
- You'll need:
- Denim iron-on patches (Singer, $4; target.com)
- Scissors
- A hair-straightening flat iron or a regular iron
Step 1: Flip your jeans inside out.
Step 2: Cut your denim iron-on patches into rectangular strips (cut them at least one-inch across and the length of the ripped hole you're reinforcing).
Step 3: Place the iron-on patch vertically, next to the left and right side of the hole.
Step 4: Affix the patches by applying heat with either a regular iron or a flat iron (for an easier and more convenient handle).
Step 5: Flip them back out and you're done! Your destroyed denim, reinforced.