DIY Denim Hi-Low Hem

This simple, oh-so-basic outfit is one of my most favorite fall “go to” looks. It may be pretty basic, but it really is a boss look. I feel like a “leather” jacket just has confident written all over it! The problem with leather jackets is that if you have linebacker shoulders like mine, they’re usually too tighter across the chest. But not this one! I can move around in it just fine.

jeans // boots // jacket // t-shirt // necklace

One of the things I love about a basic look is that you can change it up with accessories. Add a necklace or even a big, bulky, plaid blanket scarf and it’s a whole new look.

PS – would you believe that this shirt is suede! Yep! A suede basic!

PPS – these boots are literally the definition of boho chic! But size down 1/2 size.

So I have a real problem with my jeans touching my boots. If you have short, shapely legs like mine, jeans that blend in with your boots does you NO favors at all. You need some sort of breaking point. Because trust me…this does NOT make your legs look like they go on for days. Ha ha. It’s actually the total opposite. I used to cuff my jeans. EVERY. SINGLE. PAIR. But recently I’ve gone to cutting all of my jeans thanks to the raw hem trend! (can I get an AMEN). And I really like the “hi-lo” jean hem trend. Makes cutting them THAT much easier.

PSA: I’m no perfectionist when it comes to cutting jeans. The raw, semi-frayed hem is totally in and I’m not worried about straight cuts. So if you’re anal…this DIY is not for you. If you’re in a hurry and you need to hack off your jeans…read on 😉

these jeans are much too long – and very unflattering

I start by putting the jeans on and feeling my ankles until I guestimate (yes that is a word) how far up I want them to be. This is all personal preference. I like mine just above/at the ankle bone. So once I find that spot by putting my leg STRAIGHT out in front of me, I start cutting up one hem.

At this point I take the jeans off and lay them flat on the floor. Straighten the jeans and make sure the waist band is laying flat on the floor, along with both pant legs.

Then, following along the bottom hem of the jeans, I make a cut through the FRONT piece of denim straight across to the other hem. Do not cut into the hem and try to keep it as straight as possible. Ideally, you want to be totally parallel to the bottom hem.

Then you cut down the other hem. On the other side of the leg. I would stay within the hem.

Now place the two pant legs side by side. And cut one seam up one side of the hem to the exact height as the other jean. This is where a tapemeasure may come in handy, but lets be real…who really cares? Not me! Eyeball it! Eyeball it well, and its fine.

So once you have your set height, repeat the previous steps to make the un-altered pant leg equal to the altered one.

Now you need to cut the back. And here you have a choice. You can make it even with the front or a “hi-low” or “stairstep” theme. I chose the hi-low route. So going below the front cut approx 1-2 inches (depending on how drastic you want the step to be) you just start cutting straight across. Again, follow the bottom help and stay as parallel as possible.

this pair here is not my favorite – I should have made the back cut about an inch longer. But you life and learn. And the beautiful thing – I can go back and cut the front a little higher 😉

So then I go cut the sides of the hem. Just about 1/2″. This give it a little play and freedom to fray a tad bit more. And the final, and clutch, step is that you must run your fingers across the hem until you start to see a tad bit of fraying from the denim. And voila – you’re done 🙂