Summer State-of-Mind: DIY Denim Shorts

If there’s one sure-fire way to kick off your summer, it’s taking a pair of scissors to a former pair of your favorite jeans.

I’m talking about DIY, guys — not Anger Management.

Today we’re paying homage to a few things — the fact that National Tequila Day is a mere week away (July 24, but who’s counting), and the good ‘ol jean short. Le Jort.

To preface today’s post, let me just say: I’ll throw down serious cash for certain material objects (shoes, admittedly), but if there’s one item that it really pains me to pay retail for, it’s a pair of cutoff shorts.

I’m not a seasoned DIY’er by any means (except that one time), but give me a sharp edge and a washer/dryer spin cycle and I can create a freakin’ masterpiece with the best of ’em.

But maybe that’s because it’s super easy.

My five-step formula is pretty fool-proof to follow, too — it goes a little something like this:

• Step 1. Grab an old pair of jeans — I wanted a fitted style, but you can opt for a larger/roomier pair than you’d normally wear (or buy a pair one size too big) for a boyfriend-style fit.
• Step 2. Line your jeans at an angle, marking them with chalk (or use masking tape, like I did). Make sure the inner seam isn’t bunched to one side.
• Step 3. Cut one leg at an angle (using the bottom of your masking tape as a guide), leaving about 3-6″ at the in-seam/crotch. I left more, since I wanted extra room to roll the bottoms.
• Step 4. Fold the jeans in half to mirror the other leg.
• Step 5. Line the second leg with masking tape — this time cutting above the line.

Et voila.

For immediate wear, roll the bottoms 2-3 times. To obtain more of a worn-in look, run ’em through washer/dryer to give those freshly cut edges a cool, frayed finish…

In New York, we don’t have in-unit washer-dryers, so, yeah. My options were limited.

Where’s the tequila tie-in, you’re wondering? Behind the scenes, girl. Cheers (and be careful with those scissors).

If you’ve been a reader for a while, you may recall some of the content I’ve done with Sauza over the past year. Last season, a few friends and I created this fun video — and this year, it was all about Margarita Moments. Today’s post was inspired by the brand’s summer campaign, where-in the tequila cowboy (tequila cowboy!) makes hi-… Well, I’ll let you see for your self.

He may not be King of Crafting, but what he lacks in jorts-making, he more than makes up for behind the bar. (We have so much in common!)

And lastly, in case you were wondering, these really were jeans I used to wear — you can see how I styled ’em here. Any DIY secrets or drink recipes you have that help get you in that summer state of mind?

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