TRENDS come and go but if there’s one wardrobe item that never fades, it’s the denim jacket. It might take on different shapes and shades, but a good quality denim jacket only gets better with age.
Give your denim jacket a new lease of life by adding things such as patches, buttons, graffiti-style illustrations and lettering. Here are some fun ideas.
Distressed
You might want to start with just a few rips and holes to give your jacket that worn in, “I’ve had this for years” distressed look.
To achieve this you will need the following “tools”:
A cutter knife or sharp scissors.
Sandpaper or the rough side of a nail file.
Tweezers or stitch picker.
Before you start slashing and cutting at your jacket, decide where you want the rips to be. Start by cutting holes or slashes. You could make a small cut and then tear as well. If you prefer to start off more subtly and are a bit nervous about cutting into the denim, start by roughing up areas by rubbing coarse sandpaper or a nail file over areas.
Once you have the cuts and you have roughed up areas, take your tweezers or stitch picker and pull out threads for that frayed look.
CREATE A BUZZ: Keith Vlahakis uses markers and paint for freestyle lettering. From MrP
Lettering
Whether it’s your favourite word, quote or your name, adding letters to a design can be bit more tricky than a few rips. There are few different ways to do this.
If you are looking for cleaner edges and more precise lettering, creating a stencil is your best bet. Finalise the lettering and design the print on plain paper. Cut out the inside of each to create a stencil. Position the stencil where you want the wording to be and, using a fabric paint, colour the inside.
For those wanting a more freehand or graffiti style, it’s still a good idea to outline or roughly sketch where you want to paint with fabric or spray paint.
Beads, buttons and patches
This is the easiest way to decorate your jacket. For this you will need a needle and thread. Quirky patches are available at fashion or second-hand stores if you’re looking for a more vintage feel. Check out haberdashery shops for odd buttons, sequins and beads. Faux pearl beads are great for a hint of glamour.
Position them, then stitch them on to the denim.
Fabric and ribbons
Different fabrics and prints can give a completely different look to a plain jacket. Velvet is the hottest trend right now. Use bits of velvet on the cuffs or pockets to soften the look of the jacket. Bold prints can be used over the entire back panel to create an interesting background. Satin or velvet ribbons, as well as lace make for pretty feminine details.
Pins (Pic: Instagram)
Pins, badges and studs
Badges with cartoon characters add playfulness to a grungy look. For that rock-chic look, press metallic studs into the denim.
Transforming your denim jacket is fun! Go mad!