I'm a big believer that if you want to change something about an item, then you probably shouldn't buy it. (I figure there are millions of options out there, so why settle?) I made an exception with these shorts though. I loved the color so much, they were just slightly too short for my liking. (See "before" picture on the left.) Since there was plenty of extra fabric in the rolled hems of the shorts, I figured it would be pretty easy to fix. I'm loving the "after" results, and I'm happy I went for it. Here's how I did it:
1. Carefully cut the threads holding the rolled hems in place.
2. Carefully cut the seam off along the bottom of the shorts. On these shorts that wound up being about a 1/4 inch, and following the seam line made it easy to ensure that the shorts didn't wind up lopsided.
3. Throw them in the washer and dryer.
4. When you pull them out, you'll have a perfect "fray." Cut off any long pieces and you are ready to rock!
It was a really easy fix and the shorts are the perfect length now. Have you ever DIYed a pair of shorts?
Shorts: Candie's c/o Kohl's, $25
Sweater: c/o LOFT, $20 (similar, similar)
Necklace: H&M, $14
Shoes: Diba/Nordstrom Rack, $40
Watch: Michael Kors, family gift
Rings: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $49
Left bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $49 and $32
Right bracelets: My Stella & Dot website $59 and Kohl's $9
1. Bandolino sandals, $69
2. C Label sandals, $28.95
3. Aldo sandals, $20.99
4. Nine West sandals, $44.99
I would go to a fabric store and buy some Fray Check and put it all around the sorts just above the fray line. If you don't do this the fray will continue to move up the shorts as you wash them and your shorts will get shorter with each wash :)
ReplyDeleteYay! You tucked the tee into the shorts! I think it looks cool this way, just tucked into the front...I have some shorts like this, same colour too that I will be fraying, thanks to Jeralyn for the additional tip.
ReplyDeleteI really like the length, now. And the frayed ends look really cool, too. But I don't think I would try it out myself because I'm too scared to mess it up. Also, doesn't it fray out a little bit more each time you wash the shorts?
ReplyDeleteYou look great!
ReplyDeleteZepequeña.
I've washed and dried them three times now and no change. :-)
ReplyDeleteHmm, just looked this up - never heard of this product but it's very intriguing. I've washed them 3 times and haven't noticed any changes. I also have tons of shorts from stores that come this way (frayed) - do stores use this product? I ask b/c I've had a couple pairs for about 5 years and they haven't gotten any shorter...
ReplyDeleteI love your toenail polish! Can you please tell us what it is?
ReplyDeleteGreat tips and love the finished length!!! xx
ReplyDeletePiphttp://easyoutfitsbypip.blogspot.com
The brand is "Sinful Colors Professional" and the color is "24/7." It's a day-glow neon color, I got it at Target!
ReplyDeleteGreat how you managed to do this! I've never had anything DIY cause i'm too scared to try! Anyways, i love the color of these shorts!
ReplyDeletevery cute! thanks for the tip!
ReplyDeleteAnother inexpensive option for nude gladiator sandals can be found here, and are currently on sale for $35.99:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.kohls.com/kohlsStore/landingpages/jenniferlopez/shoes/PRD~988928/Jennifer+Lopez+Gladiator+Sandals.jsp
I tried them on at Kohl's the other day, and they were really comfortable. I tried them on because they look like the ones you wear all the time, J. Unfortunately, I'm not a flats girl, and I was already there buying the Lauren Conrad blush pumps you featured the other day, but these are a great option for ladies who are after inexpensive gladiator flats.
Such a great idea!!!!!!! :)
ReplyDeleteLove this. I often try on shorts and just can't get past the shortness so I leave them on the rack... but I may just have to consider this DIY the next time! Great idea!
ReplyDeleteSarah
smalltowncatwalk.blogspot.ca
I have diy'ed a few jeans into shorts but never made a pair longer - they look great before and even better after (I love how simple but effective this was!).
ReplyDelete♥ ThankFifi
these colors together are gorgeous!!
ReplyDeleteAll the time!!! I'm tall so all the cute juniors shorts at say TJ Maxx or Marshalls have such fun colors and are cheap enough to get a little creative in the DIY department. Love this look!
ReplyDeleteLove all the color and those shorts...great job ;) I love the necklace as well..I happen to own it too ;)
ReplyDeletexx
Julie
http://lovecardelia.blogspot.com/
http://goo.gl/ME1Za
ReplyDeletei LOVE this idea! i always have that issue with shorts being too short - so i love the idea of fraying them to make them the perfect length. SO SMART, j!
ReplyDeleteI agree with your saying that if you want to change something about an item, then you probably shouldn't buy it.
ReplyDeleteAnd I love this shorts.
Looove this look! And great job with the shorts.
ReplyDeleteI love the shoe and color! it looks beautiful!
ReplyDeleteLove love love this color combo! Great idea with the shorts, they're too cute to not wear! And I swear I've been looking for those Diba sandals everywhere and cannot find them! I love them.
ReplyDeleteI love this color combination! I actually saw this necklace at H&M this weekend and picked it up--I LOVE it! I've gotten so many compliments on it...I probably would not have known what to wear it with unless I saw it on here, though!
ReplyDeletelove the colours and look!
ReplyDeleteLove the monochromatic look! Great idea for the shorts. Why is it so hard to find mid-length shorts?! It seems like everything is either super short or knee length. I'm fine with bermudas, but as a petite, they aren't all that flattering. Can't wait to see if I can try this tip out. Thanks!
ReplyDeleteyou've got the best legs ever! =)
ReplyDeleteSuch a great idea! I love the after look!
ReplyDeletewww.daisyraeboutique.com
www.kacieskloset.blogspot.com
Love it all from head to toe! It’s fantastic.Love these details on it!This kind of collocation looks leisure.and the short's color is so beautiful.I really enjoy your blog! It's always fun to see what you come up with!http://www.h-vogue.org
ReplyDeleteI did this to a pair of my shorts that were fairly new, thus, not much wear. And now there is a light line running around the leg where the old bottom of the shorts used to be. Does that make sense? Did you see that on yours? I even washed them thinking the line would disappear, but no.
ReplyDeleteDo you mean a color, or a crease where the shorts used to be rolled? There definitely isn't a color, but there is a bit of a crease, although it definitely helped when I washed them. There is still a slight line in the back but I don't think it's anything ironing wouldn't fix (I'm lazy, haven't tried anything but steaming yet).
ReplyDelete