DIY: 5 Steps to Deliciously Destroyed Denim Shorts!

This Memorial Day, my sister and I decided to boldly go where millions of Americans have gone before---OUTLET SHOPPING (cue sinister music)! Yes, maybe not our most intelligent decision, as the Wrentham Village Premium Outlets were packed with eager shoppers--so packed, in fact, that I had to question whether or not we are actually in a recession. While browsing at our last stop, Barney's, I fell in love with a pair of J. Brand cut-off jean shorts, and this, my little lovelies, is where our story begins...

Even at outlet prices, these fabulous shorts were still nearly $100, making me think twice before marching myself up to the register. Amazingly, I was able to exercise restraint (my husband would be SO proud!). Why the sudden self-control, you might ask? I simply realized that cut-off jeans are a fantastic Do-It-Yourself opportunity. You can be the proud owner of a pair of cut-offs simply by digging into the recesses of your closet for a pair of jeans that doesn't get much wear. Add a pair of scissors and boom!--you're in business.

If DIY fashion isn't your forte, however, allow me to break it down for you. Remember those "Choose Your Own Adventure" books you read as a kid? Well, this is like the fashion version of those gems. You can capture that faded, pre-destroyed high fashion look by following a few simple steps:

1.) Find the jeans! We're supposed to be in a recession, so embrace the budget-conscious fashionista within and snag some denim from your closet. *Hint hint--if you've ruined the bottom of your jeans by wearing them with flats or flip flops, these jeans are the ideal candidate for cut-offs since you'll be cutting this part off (amazing how that works, isn't it?).

2.) Cut those legs off! Using a pair of sharp scissors, cut slightly lower than your desired length. This gives you some room to even the length out and to allow for fraying at the ends. To get the right length, find your favorite jean shorts and lay them on top, matching up the crotch seams. For that uber-destroyed look, you can add extra fraying by using the sharp end of your scissors or another sharp pointy tool to rip the legs off. *This can be very therapeutic!

3.) Choose your style: squeaky clean or dirty denim?

-For bleached denim, throw them in the bathtub or a bucket, and fill with enough water so that your shorts are completely submerged. Pour 1-2 cups of bleach in the tub, and slosh the water around the tub to mix in the bleach. Wear gloves!!! The shorts can remain in the bleach water until they are the color you want--depending on your preference, this could take from a couple of hours up to a couple of days. When the shorts are done bleaching, be sure to rinse them out! If you don't wash the shorts, the bleach will continue to fade the color.

-For dirty dirty, place your jeans in a bucket and add about two cups of coffee grounds. Use enough water to turn them into a liquid. The more water you add, the lighter the stain will be. Let this scrumptious mixture sit overnight for an ultra-destroyed finish.

4.) Spin, spin, sugar! To get the water out of the shorts, put them in your washer on the spin cycle. *Psst, go green and dry the shorts on on clothesline instead of using the dryer!

5.) In distress? If you love that worn-in and distressed look, here are a few extra steps... To fray the edges, run a serrated steak knife over them. To make holes, put something hard, like a cement block, under the spot where you want the hole, then sand it. A sharp object is quicker, but not as rewarding. The holes will start fraying after the next wash.

Done! These user-friendly steps will produce a fabulous pair of cut-off jean shorts, styled specifically to your needs. The fact that they are one-of-a-kind and made from your very own blood, sweat, and tears is just the cherry on top. So go ahead, earn your fashionista title, and GET TO WORK!--make those designers blush with your own deliciously destroyed denim shorts. It's as easy as counting to 5.

In order of appearance: (1) Kate Moss and Lily Donaldson, photo at Shiny Style (www.shinystyle.tv); (2) Megan Fox in Bobby Shorts by True Religion $172, available from Bergdorf Goodman, online at www.bergdorfgoodman.com (photo at Denimology at www.denimology.co.uk); (3) J. Brand white cut-offs $141, also available at Bergdorf Goodman; (4) cut-offs by Joe's Jeans $152, online at www.joesjeans.com.