How to Make Upcycled Denim Shorts in 10 Different Styles

This is one of the largest upcycled denim projects I’ve done for a while. DIY distressed jean shorts are so cool and comfortable to wear in summer so I’m showing you 10 ways to make them.

Make sure that the jeans you use have a high cotton content, as these will fray more easily.

How to cut jeans into shorts

The trick to this is making sure the back is longer than the front.

For the basic method, fold the jeans lengthways at the center front. Fold the inseam underneath and pull up the back waist.

Use a ruler to cut at a slight angle up from the center toward the outside. When you reach the outer leg seam, cut straight across.

Another option is to cut straight across at the length you need for the back and trim the front shorter.

The third method is to fold each leg separately with the inseam in the center and cut diagonally up from the back to the front of each leg.

1. Baggy longer shorts

Use men’s jeans or oversized jeans for this look.

Try them on and mark the length. Cut straight across.

You can add more distressing by cutting extra slices that will fray when washed.

2. Classic distressed

Use 100% cotton jeans.

Cut them using the first method.

Use cardboard to separate the front and back.

Add slices with a rotary cutter or scissors.

Cut the top off clean finished edges.

3. Imperfectly cuffed

These shorts are cuffed on the outside seams but allowed to unroll towards the inner thigh.

Cut the jeans straight across, 1” to 1 1/2” (2.5 to 3 cm) longer than the final back length.

Trim a small amount from the front legs.

Roll the outside of the leg up twice and catch it with a couple of stitches.

4. Flared

Cut the shorts to length.

Slit open the outer seams to below the waistband and spread them out in a triangle shape.

Cut a piece of fabric from the leg of the jeans and insert it in the open seam.

You can glue the edges of the seam in place, but I’d advise stitching them as well later.

Trim off all the excess fabric.

Measure the width at the widest part and make sure both legs match.

5. Zigzag edge

Fold each leg separately.

Mark 3 inches (8 cm) down from the crotch across the leg.

Scrunch the leg up and cut with a seesaw action to create a jagged edge.

Use the first leg as a template for the second.

Exaggerate the cuts so they look intentional. Score the edges with the tips of your scissors to expose the white threads.

I also added a small insert at the side seams so the leg wasn’t so tight.

6. Jagged hem

Cut a jagged hem as before.

Cut slits across a section of the leg in a triangle design.

Use a razor blade or craft knife to scrape at the top threads horizontally to expose the white ones underneath and create a softer edge to the slits.

Pull out the white threads and most of the blue will shred away.

When I tried these on, I realized the white threads need to go down to the hem and also that the distressed sections need to be wider, for the best effect.

7. Long fringe

Cut the shorts to length.

Cut vertical slits along the bottom edge about half an inch (1 cm) apart. The length of the slits will be the length of your fringe.

Pull at the vertical threads until you expose the horizontal ones, then pull the horizontal threads out.

Do this for each section of the fringe. When you’ve finished I recommend stitching all the way around to stop them fraying any further.

8. Angled front

These are short and high in the front and stepped down at the sides.

Draw the angled shape across the front and cut it at the front only.

Cut straight down at the front outer leg seam, then cut the back straight across from there.

Throw them in the wash and let them fray.

When I tried them on, I realized the front was curved in the wrong direction, so I recut it with an upward curve.

9. Straight leg

Use straight leg jeans for this look.

Try them on, mark where you want them on your knee and cut straight across. Add more distressed elements if you need to.

You can even style these with heels!

10. Classic cuff

Cut the shorts about 2 inches (5 cm) longer than the finished length.