By Kirsten Greig - @style_balm
I’ve always been creative. If there is such a thing as an art nerd, that was me at school.
This helped get me into the creative side of Fashion retail.
After a few years on the shop floor, I took a role as a VM & got introduced to the fun bit of retail.
It’s like being the cool auntie to retail stores.
Coming in, making store look pretty, & travelling the country.
Well, on the surface, but It’s often sweaty, thankless & doesn't pay overly well.
That said - I’m very grateful for all I have learned & achieved in the roles I’ve had over the years.
So I now keep the creative stuff for my hobby -
Upcycling.
I’ve always been one of those ‘I’m not paying that’ kind of gals. I’m not overly competent at sewing, so I needed a way to cheat sheet the pieces I want.
The easiest way? Buy it vintage or thrifted & add a bit of my own flavour.
The latest being this denim maxi shirt.
Thanks to the rebirth of denim through celebs like Julia Fox & revitalised brands like Diesel.
Denim is now more than ever at the forefront of fash.
This time it’s reworked, re made & reshaped.
Think Brit & JT back in the day, full denim fits but, just f@&* my sh*t up & hold the bedazzler thanks.
I already had the ingredients for a Y2K inspired denim maxi.
Street style pics for inspo.
X 2 old zara jeans - because why waste more water buying new denim.
& a borrowed sewing machine
Step 1
Take a seam ripper & rip the inside leg seams of both pairs of jeans.
Choose the pair you like the look & fit of the most. This will form the main part of the skirt.
Step 2
Lay the unpicked pair of jeans flat and flip the curved edges of the crotch (hehe) to the front so the denim sits flat.
Step 3
Take the second pair of jeans and cut the legs off keeping the outside seams intact. This will form 2 large pieces of denim with a seam running down the middle.
Step 4
Position these pieces underneath the raw edges of the inside legs, with the right sides all facing out. Pin & repeat on the back.
Step 5
Sew the flat pieces to the first pair of jeans. Just follow the lines where the original stitching was.
I chose to leave the edges raw, but you could fold under the raw edge if you’d prefer a more polished look.
Step 6
Cut the hem at the bottom.
I cut mine with a really sharp pair of fabric shears in a slight curve.
I ran a row of stitching along the hem to stop too much fraying. But you can hem more neatly if you’d prefer.
I chose to remove the back pockets of the jeans also, this gave an extra design element as the jeans I used were a light wash & this revealed the dark denim underneath. Kept the pockets for something else.
I also split the front seam & top stitched each edge. Just for a flash of leg. Otherwise it was a bit brethren chic - but you do you.
Chuck in the wash & then the drier to fray up the raw edges. Yes, I hear the denim purists screaming out there…never tumble dry your jeans!
But this is a necessary evil to get a more authentic finish.
Style however you wish. I like mine with a kitten heel + sock situation, body suit and thrifted men’s xxL blazer combo.
Head scarf is a must if you are leaning into the whole 00’s boobtube ‘n beads thing, but finish strong with a croc n’ sock to keep it more L.A hippie trippy.
Better living everybody
