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5 ways to Upcycle your Favorite Denim Jeans

by J.Renee
Nordstorm Embroidered Jeans

Keep your favorite denim jeans around for another lifespan.

I am convinced that you have a favorite pair of denim jeans, just like myself, that you wear more than any jeans in your wardrobe—these are definitely your go to jeans.

They look great with just about anything dressed up or down.  These jeans volumize your tush and hug your waistline.  I’m sure I don’t have to go any further describing the characteristics of these jeans, because you already know the ones I am talking about.  

To keep it transparent, don’t let me wear those jeans for a day and sense that I did not do much of any thing in them—ya girl will rock them again for a 2ndday in a row.  Now tell me I am not the only one who does this.

Ya girl will rock them again for a 2ndday in a row. 

Unfortunately, when you have favorites like I do, it comes a day when you have to say goodbye.  Whether being because of weight gain/lost or too many washes it’s so hard to say goodbye to yesterday.  Can you say it with me, “Not Today!”.  No longer do you have to toss those jeans due to rips, tears, fading, or stains.

Co-Heirs it’s time to re-claim and upcycle your favorite jeans, so you can keep them around for another “100” or so wears and washes depending on the quality of your denim.  When you upcycle all you are doing is reusing your materials in such a way as to create a product of a higher quality or value than the original.

Patched Denim

Patches, aka a childhood relic, has found success among the runways and on the streets.  Give your denim a stylish twist with the patch trend!  Use an assortment of patches to decorate your denim.  Make your own, or purchase decorative patches from online.  

Dolce and Gabbana patched denim jeans

Ripped Denim

Keep it casual or dress it up.  This is the perfect option for the case of “thick thighs syndrome”.  Consistent rubbing together over the lifespan of my jeans has caused my denim to wear away and eventually rip!  

Thank goodness there is a fix to it all.  Intentionally rip your favorite denim jeans at the knees and other desirable places.  For all the undesirable rips, simply add patches underneath and there you have it–long live your jeans.

Girl walking across the street with ripped denim
white woman walking with ripped jeans

Embellished Denim

This might be a design that you probably don’t already own.   Everyone will be asking you where you got your jeans!  It’s bye bye to boring ole jeans.  I am loving the more glamorous take on denim jeans.  I recommend going with at least one flashy embellished pair! 

Nordstrom Embellished pearl jeans
Photo Credit:  Nordstrom Embellished Pearl Jeans
Embellished jeans with dress Tee
Photo Credit:  Julies Dresscode
Embellished pearl jeans with pink oxfords
Photo Credit:

Frayed Hem Denim

All the fashion bloggers and street style celebs have gone crazy over jeans with straggly, unkempt hems.  The best part of this trend is that everyone can wear it!  There is not right or wrong way, and because it’s not limited to one particular denim fit, you have options Co-Heir!

Upcycle your favorite denim jeans into trendy frayed high low hems
Photo Credit: thezoereport
Upcycle your favorite denim jeans into trendy frayed hems
Photo Credit: shopdevi

Upcycled Denim Skirt

You’ve heard the word that denim skirts are no longer a trend piece to wear, but I beg to differ.  “Trends are temporary, Style is permanent.”  Co-Heir it’s all in how you wear it.   Dacy Knight a contributor of Who What Wear wrote “Short hemlines juxtaposed with oversize sweaters and cold-weather boots make for an instant cool-girl outfit while longer denim skirts provide a more elevated (and seasonally fitting) take on the laid-back trend.”

“Trends are temporary, Style is permanent.”  

Upcycle your favorite denim jeans into a skirt
Photo Credit: Pacific Coast News

woman with oversized sweater and denim pencil skirt

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Hello! I’m J.Renee, the Content Creator and Owner of One Heiress Lane.  Welcome to my corner of the internet!

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