Frayed denim pant hems

karymk

Aprils post earlier about pant length on her new BF Citizens find made me think of something I have seen several times on Pinterest that looks interesting. Instead of being hemmed or rolled, these pants appear to be cut raw across the hemline.

http://www.pinterest.com/pin/233413193161502484/

I have a pair of straight leg BFs that I am going to do this on. I have enough BFs that I can sacrifice a pair for the purposes of experimentation.

What do you think of this? Would you try it if just to be a little different?

11 years ago

Dressing

22 replies

Latest reply was from Laura

Diana

Veteran

I am personally not a fan but it has more to do with the shape than with the raw edge. I don't think it leaves enough structure to have a nice tapered ankle fit. (Not only can you peg the hem slightly when you roll it, but the roll itself also just adds some structure.) I like my ankle fit on crops to be VERY close though. This looks... flappy.

Also, if you've ever worn cutoffs you might have experienced the tickly frayed threads problem...

11 years ago

annagybe

(website)

Veteran

I've seen this elsewhere, I think Refinery 29 or so such ilk.
It's just that after the first wash it won't look like that, it'd be more soft fringey.

11 years ago

April

Veteran

I do like the look, but I'm wondering how it would play without the heels? In flats, I fear the potential for it to look messy and clueless rather than stylish and trend-setting. Is anyone showing a creditable version that doesn't include stilettos?

BTW, kmk, in case you didn't see my further ramblings on the BF hem thread, I LOVE your idea to just cut off the bottoms of my jeans. In fact, I'm itching for them to dry so I can try it out. Whether I leave them raw or roll them, they probably don't need to be properly hemmed, and if I cut them myself I can see exactly how short I want them.

I have a pair of used-to-be-bootcuts that I hacked into clamdiggers at least five years ago. I always roll the hems, and they still haven't fallen apart on me.

11 years ago

catgirl

Veteran

I'm a yay. I wear jeans this way camping because I find them cheap at thrift stores, and it's easier than rolling (dirt catcher!) or hemming (why bother). Can see taking it uptown too! And you can stitch a quick line around the top of where the cutoff is to keep it from fraying endlessly upward.

11 years ago

fuzzylogic

Veteran

Heck yeah! I'd try! This is about experimentation! The fraying would add a textural element to the outfit!

When you look at the photos do you feel this fits with your style aesthetic, karymk?

Ummmm........ Do you think this is a 'fringe trend'.....? Bwahahaha!

11 years ago

Anonymous

I like the idea but I don't like the shape. I think if it was more tapered or stiff. I wonder if you stitched a zigzag if it would stop the fraying?

11 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

this discussion makes me laugh at myself....as a RATE gal of course i love the frayed edge look. But, we all know that type of thing has to be 'just so', you want to rough around the edges, not all over.

I can't tell you how many hours i've spent trimming my various unfinished hems so they're frayed, but not *too* frayed.

Takes a lot of effort to to create that effect of nonchalance, heehee! and alaskagirls' tip works a treat, choose matching thread for the subtlest effect. happy day, steph

11 years ago

mrseccentric

(website)

Veteran

hi Ceit! zig zag will stop the fraying so it won't crawl further up the leg as Una pointed out (a smaller stitch - less wide, less long - will hold as well and be less obvious). But you will still get long strings hanging down and bunching up in gobs with washing and wear if you don't trim. HTH! steph

11 years ago

doubleh

Veteran

I was going to say what alaskagirl said. Long ago, I saw Tori Amos in concert and she wore frayed edge cutoff clam-diggers with strappy gold sandals. She was always a little bit out there, but I remember loving the look and emulating a few times through the years...

I do have a pair of jeans I'm contemplating...I might join you!

11 years ago

karymk

Veteran

Fuzzy logic, yes I would love to work the gently frayed bottoms into my aesthetic! I'm roughing it up a little lately--got my leather jacket and just bought a camo one this weekend. I want to get away from too "polished" and go for more "wtf" pardon the expression.

11 years ago

karymk

Veteran

check this how to out: The Dremmel's the thing!! Martin and Osa's denim guru shows us how:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiszFaKtpQw

11 years ago

April

Veteran

Oh wow -- I have a Dremel! That looks like fun.

11 years ago

karymk

Veteran

April how do you have a Dremel and not have used it on jeans? What else is a Dremel used for? I am kind of scared to ask...

11 years ago

rabbit

Veteran

lol, a dremel is a carving/drilling/sanding/buffing/cutting tool. Very good for fine hand work if you are an artist or craftsman/carpenter.

The only thing to beware is you don't want to get a long thread accidentally caught around the spinning shaft (maybe he mentions this on the video?)

ETA: now I'm think of other fashion-y uses of a dremel tool. Adding a new hole into a belt loop, making earrings (drills a tiny hole in just about anything). Cutting off a buckle you don't like? hmm...

11 years ago

Mia

Veteran

I had a pair of cords with a frayed hem about 10 yrs ago and I loved them. Frayed edges are showing up in a lot of bloggers posts these days and I might add a piece to the closet if I can find the right one.

Also, I once went to a spa where they used a Dremmel to remove callus on the feet.

11 years ago

fuzzylogic

Veteran

How did they turn out?? Are you happy with the result??

And do I need a dremel? I am such a follower..... Bwahahaha!

11 years ago

Mander

(website)

Veteran

I've done this before on jeans that were starting to fray at the hem. I figured trimming them all the way around so that the entire hem was a bit fringed made it look more deliberate and less sloppy. That's what I told myself, anyway...

11 years ago

karymk

Veteran

I am going to try indeed. The Manrepeller girl Leona had on a dark wash straight leg that she wore with cutoff hems. The rest of her outfit was very menswear, suit jacket and tie, white shirt and loafers. Very cute.

11 years ago

annabelle

Veteran

I'm bumping this thread to get fresh opinions from those of you who tried the frayed look since the OP. I'm contemplating these jeans, appended, but I notice on the Pinterest that karymk generously posted, the cropped look with heels looks quite deliberate and therefore appealing. Not sure about these little jeans. Also it's my first foray into white jeans, so thank you to Angie and YLF for the push in this direction!