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Thrifty Wife Happy Life

Helping women love what they wear on a budget

How to: Distress Your Own Denim

October 16, 2017 by Katie Haller

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim
Today, I want to share my latest obsession with distressing my own jeans.  I love the look of distressed denim, but I’ve had bad luck finding distressed jeans that I really love.  They are either too distressed or not enough.  I feel like the ones that I really like are way out of my price range.  I feel like you shouldn’t have to spend $70 + for a cute pair of distressed jeans.  That’s why this fall I started looking over some of the jeans in my closet that I never wear anymore and I decided that I would make them new again by adding some holes to them and distressing them a bit. (sounds weird to make something new by destroying them, but hey it’s the style.) 

I started searching on Pinterest for how to distress your own jeans and I was confused by some of the articles I found.  Some talked about using a cheese grader or sandpaper.  Luckily, I was able to find a good video on YouTube that broke it down for me. 
So here are the steps I took to distress my jeans. 
Step 1: Pick out a pair of jeans that you want to distress.  I would go for an older pair or a cheaper pair of jeans that you wouldn’t mind if you messed up.  The jeans I picked for this post are a pair of Express jeans that I’ve had in my closet for probably 10 years.  They needed a makeover!  I recommend that you do some research first on what style of distressed jeans you want.  I personally don’t like too many holes, so I kept it simple with 2 holes on the knee and a small hole on the upper leg on one side.
Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim

Step 2: I used a white eye shadow to mark where I wanted to make the cut.  (I read to use eye shadow instead of a marker or pencil because it washes out easily.)

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim

Step 3: Once you have your spots marked, start cutting.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim


Step 4: After you’ve made your cuts, use your fingers to fray the material a little until you see the white fibers.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim


Step 5: Once you’ve frayed the ends, you will be able to see the blue fiber ends.  Use a pair of tweezers to pull the blue fibers out.  This is the time-consuming part.  I recommend you do this part in your bathroom or somewhere you can easily clean it up because it gets a little messy.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim


Step 6: Once you’re done with one hole, move on to the next and do the same technique until you’re done.  I was very pleased with how my second pair of jeans turned out.  Now a pair of jeans that I was ready to put in my Goodwill bag a month ago are my new favorite pair of jeans.

Thrifty Wife, Happy Life | How to: Distress your own denim

I hope that was helpful.  Let me know if you have any questions.  I’d be happy to help!

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Hi I'm Katie! Welcome to my blog! I am on a mission to help women build a wardrobe that they love without spending a lot of money doing it. I believe that everyone has the right to feel good in their outfit, no matter what your budget is! I am excited to have you here!
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Katie || Affordable Fashion
I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order I found some fun pieces on my latest @amazon order! Here's how they look! 

T-shirt hoodie- $21.50- I love this top! It feels like a t-shirt so it's perfect for layering under jackets! 

Flare leggings $24.99- aka yoga pants. These pants take me back to the early 2000's. I am loving them! 

Tunic $24.98- Love this tunic! It's a great length. Perfect for layering under sweaters! 

Matte faux leather leggings- These are the best faux leather legging dupe for the Spanx I have found so far! 

Wide leg trousers- I have loved these pants on everyone else, but they weren't my favorites. I still felt that they are a great pair of trousers! 

Check out my stories for more details! Everything is linked on the @shop.ltk app and also in my Amazon Storefront. You can find both in the link in my bio!! 

#amazonhaul #amazoninfluencer #amazontryon #amazonfashion #amazonfinds #affordablefashion #amazonblogger #momstyle #everydaystyle #momootd #casualstyle #winterstyle #leggings #flareleggings #fauxleatherleggings
These black Converse Chucks are my first thrifted These black Converse Chucks are my first thrifted purchase of 2023 for $7.99! I found them at @goodwillmidmich! Here's a casual way to wear them with joggers! 

#thriftythursday #thriftfinds #goodwillfinds #converse #thriftedfashion #thriftstorefinds #thriftedfashion #winteroutfitideas #casualstyle #momstyle #momootd #momstyle #outfitinspiration #michiganblogger #joggerstyle
I've been in a winter outfit rut for the last mont I've been in a winter outfit rut for the last month. All I want to do is throw on a big cozy sweater with some leggings and call it a day. That’s why today, to help myself get out of my winter outfit funk, I wanted to switch it up a little bit and put together a workwear winter capsule wardrobe post.

Today on the blog I am sharing 15 neutral workwear pieces with 20 outfit ideas. Head over to the blog for all the outfit details! 

Blog- www.thriftywifehappylife.com (link in bio)

Capsule items are also linked on the @shop.ltk app! Follow @thriftywifehappylife for details or go to the link in my bio! 

#capsulewardrobe #winterwardrobe #winterworkwear #workwear #businesscasual #workingmom #workwearstyle #workwearwednesday #workstyle #whattowear #howtowearit #momstyle #affordablefashion #teacherstyle #shopyourcloset
My husband and I have plans to have a night away f My husband and I have plans to have a night away from the kids this weekend. I've been brainstorming some outfit ideas for our date night. Which top do you like best with these jeans? 

🛍How to shop my outfits🛍
✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
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This sweater is out of stock but I linked some of my favorite short cardigans on the @shop.ltk app! Follow @thriftywifehappylife or go to the link in my bio! 

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🖤 What I wore this week as a SAHM! 🖤 I have 🖤 What I wore this week as a SAHM! 🖤

I have another round up of cozy outfits! I have to admit that I have been in a bit of a style rut! The lack of sunshine has made it really hard for me to feel motivated to get creative with my outfits and I've been finding myself repeating the same clothes over and over again. 

That's why this week I built each outfit around one piece in my wardrobe that I haven't worn in a while. I have a lot of clothes and sometimes rediscovering pieces that I love help my outfits feel more fun and creative! 

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✨Download the free @shop.ltk app and follow @thriftywifehappylife for all my outfit details! 
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#sahmoutfit #styleinspo #momoutfitinspo #momstyle #momootd #wiw #momiform #dailystyleideas #dailyoutfits #dailyoutfitinspo #ootdfashion
Get ready with me on a gloomy winter day! Even whe Get ready with me on a gloomy winter day! Even when I have no plans of leaving the house, I still want to wear an outfit that makes me feel good! Cozy sweatshirts, leggings and socks have been helping me get through these dark winter days. 

Out for details 
Leggings- @amazon
Sweatshirt- @oldnavy 
Tunic- Old Navy
Necklace- @silverado_jewelry (code: KATIE10)
Socks- Amazon

Shopping details are linked on the @shop.ltk app! Download the free app and follow @thriftywifehappylife or go to the link in my bio! 

#ltkstyletip #ltkunder50 #sahmoutfit #outfitideas #outfitideas4you #grwm #momstyle #momootd #momiform #cozyoutfit #momlife #winteroutfitideas
More pictures is a request I have gotten from a lo More pictures is a request I have gotten from a lot of people in the last year, so I'm going to do my best this year to  incorporate more picture posts! I miss them too! 

This leopard blouse is one of my favorite tops in my wardrobe! Which way is your favorite?

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