Because sunny spring days are slowing creeping towards us, I thought I would do a tutorial on how to make some high waisted jean shorts. A few weeks ago, I was shopping in Portland and saw a super cute pair of high waisted Levi shorts…and then I looked at the price tag and cringed–60 bucks for a pair! I knew that I could make some that were just as cute for much less money. I found a perfect pair of high waisted jeans for a fraction of the price and set out to make my shorts.

Here’s how you can make some of your own:

What you need:

• One pair of high waisted “mom” jeans
• Scissors (preferably fabric scissors)
• Sharpie/Pencil
• Optional: fabric for pockets, studs, bleach & a spray bottle (I’ll explain later)

Instructions:

1. Put on your jeans & mark how far you want them to go with the pencil or sharpie. *Remember: you can always cut more off, so start a little longer than you want. Also, if you want them to be cuffed like mine, mark 2 or 3 inches longer.
2. Take off the jeans and cut away! To make sure you aren’t mooning the world in your new jeans, cut them at a diagonal so the back is longer than the front.
3. For mine, I wanted them to be cuffed, so I cuffed them while they were on, pinned them, and sewed a couple stitches on the outside hemline so they wouldn’t un-cuff.
   



4. This is the step where you get to be creative! Try finding a cute floral or tribal fabric and adding it to the back pockets, adding studs for a grungy look, or using a spray bottle and bleach to make them retro acid wash (wet the jeans,wring out the extra water, spray on the bleach, let sit for 10 minutes, and then wash them in the washing machine).



5. Voila!

Now you have awesome high waisted shorts for a fraction of the price of ones from the store. My favorite parts? Because you made them, no one will have the same ones AND this is a super sustainable practice!

Stay tuned for more DIY projects!

Megan

The idea of re-purposing has become really important in my wardrobe.

I like to think about how I can use a piece differently, or in a new way before I give up on it.

That’s why I love this image …

I *adore* these flower heels that Ms. Spinach made by re*purposing a few items.

I love to talk about re*purposing because it fits so thoroughly with the mission of Second Glance & The Annex.

These adorable button bouquets from RBK Creations on Etsy are ridiculously creative, eclecticly chic, and a fabulous example of re*purposement.