How to DIY a Super Trendy Denim Jacket

Enitan Agbabiaka
by Enitan Agbabiaka
7 Materials
$5
1 Hour
Easy

Today, I have an easy no-sew tutorial for a DIY denim jacket thrift flip.


I took a very basic, oversized jacket and upcycled it into a ripped, distressed denim jacket with a pair of scissors and some glue-on spikes.


I ended up with a versatile, trendy and stylish custom denim jacket in less than an hour.

Tools and materials:

  • Oversized denim jacket
  • Glue-on spikes, beads or rhinestones
  • Clear glue
  • Ruler
  • Tailor's chalk
  • Scissors
  • Seam ripper
Determining jacket length

1. Choose your jacket length

Most denim jackets have four buttons but when I looked at mine, the fourth button was directly under the pockets.


I didn't think this would look right at the bottom of the jacket so I cropped my jacket under the fifth button.


Try on your jacket and choose an appropriate length for it.

Cropping jacket

2. Crop your jacket

Lay your jacket out flat on a blanket or similar surface. Make sure that the side seams match and that it's folded correctly at the shoulders.


Pin the top part of your jacket to the blanket so it won't move when you cut it.

Cropping jacket

Measure from the armhole point down each side seam to the length you want. Draw a line with tailor's chalk straight across the front of your jacket.


Cut your jacket just below the line.

Fraying bottom edge

3. Fray the bottom edge

Use a seam ripper to fray the bottom edge of the jacket.

Fraying bottom edge

Work in sections all round the bottom edge of your jacket.


Pull down the horizontal threads with the seam ripper a few rows at a time, until you get an effect that you like.


This part takes patience but is very easy to do. 

Adding embellishments

4. Add embellishments

I used glue-on spikes to decorate my jacket. You could use beads or rhinestones or combine several embellishments. 


Plan out your design first. I decided to outline just the yoke seam at the front. 


I laid out the spikes where I wanted them and then glued them in place one at a time, working from the center point outwards. 


Check that the embellishments are even on both sides. 

DIY denim jacket

DIY denim jacket 

You could trim the back yoke in the same way or add embellishments to the pockets. It's entirely up to you how much bling you want to add.


A custom denim jacket never seems to go out of style and there are so many ways to make it unique.


I'd love to see what you do with yours. Please drop me a line in the comments and let me know.


For more DIY fashion hacks, check out my post on How to DIY a Cute Cropped Zip Sweater.

Suggested materials:
  • Oversized denim jacket
  • Glue-on spikes, beads or rhinestones
  • Clear glue
See all materials

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