“Why do you want to distress a perfectly good pair of jeans?” a sensible person might ask. Although you’re no longer an early teen eager to express yourself, there’s no better way to showcase who you are, at least sartorially, than through a pair of blue jeans. They are a portal into your personal life and line of work — plus, how you handle yourself in the kitchen or during a DIY project.
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They earn rips and tears from constant friction on table edges or hardwood floors; paint from your next masterpiece accumulates at your hip, where you wipe your brush; the hems, which went a little long at first, fray from rubbing the floor when you wear low shoes; and so on and so forth. When you really wear your jeans, the imperfections and the fade are badges of honor.
But there are shortcuts. Brands like Levi’s and Wrangler use lightning fast machines, which can laser etch a pattern of holes or fray pockets in seconds. For folks who want to do something similar with their deadstock jeans, there are a number of tools you can order online to distress yours.
What to Know First
Generally, you should avoid carving giant holes into your jeans. Holes are the least natural addition, especially because they’re hard to earn IRL. Below, you’ll find the tools necessary for customizing your jeans.
Fraying
Evan MalachoskyFraying happens when an area gets rubbed over and over again. The constant friction peels the top layer, revealing loose threads underneath. You can fast-track your frays with a rotary tool and a round sandpaper attachment. Focus on a specific area and lightly brush back and forth. If it’s a pocket edge, like above, follow its curve. Tip: you should probably wear a mask while doing it. Fine jean dust gets everywhere.
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