Custom jeans, the timeless wardrobe staple, are constantly evolving in the fashion world. In 2024, DIY styling jeans trends are all the rage, allowing you to personalize your denim and express your unique style. From distressed and embellished designs to custom hems and innovative accessories, this blog unveils 15 creative DIY jeans trends for the year ahead. We’ll provide detailed descriptions of each trend, styling tips, and product recommendations you can purchase online to achieve these looks.
15+ Stunning Custom Jeans We Love The Most
1. Distressed
Let’s start with the classic. The rugged-chic look of distressed jeans that actually have been around for a long time and it seems to never go out of style. Got a pair of old jeans? Get a sandpaper block, and scissors to create fashionable rips and tears. You can distress them to your heart’s content, so you can do little or a lot. The choice is yours.
Styling Tip: Distressed jeans are great because you can wear a simple top or a bold one, and both styles will look great. The options here are endless because you can dress it down or up!
Products to Buy Online: Sandpaper blocks.
2. Pearl Embellishment
Now let’s mix two classics: your denim with pearl embellishments. A timeless gem, perls will definitely up your DIY game and give new life to an old pair of jeans. Add them along the sides of your jeans or create intricate designs on the pockets. Go the extra mile and add them to the hem of your pants for a bold statement. As you might have guessed, pearls go great with silk, so grab that awesome silk blouse or order one online to complete the look! Get those Iron-on pearl beads from Amazon.
Styling Tip: Mix pearls in different sizes for a blend of casual and elegant. Dress down with tennis shoes or up with high heels.
3. Patchwork
Dive into the world of patchwork by sewing colorful fabric patches onto your jeans. Use patterns or mismatched fabrics for a boho-chic vibe. Style with a flowy blouse and sandals for a laid-back feel. The great thing about this is that you can virtually use any pattern design, as long as it complements your jeans color. So whether you like a floral motif, plaid, polka dots, or stripes, this is a great way to repurpose those old pieces of clothing, while creating something new for your wardrobe.
Styling Tip: Opt for patches that contrast or complement your jeans’ color.
4. Cropped and Frayed
This is a simple but very stylish way to give an old pair of jeans some new life. Measure the desired length, cut, and fray the edges for a casual, lived-in look. Pair with a fitted top and sneakers for a modern feel. Got an old pay of “boyfriend” jeans? Those loom awesome in this particular style. Pair with sandals or sneakers, both ways will surely make a statement.
Styling Tip: Opt for boyfriend jeans instead of skinny or straight for a more modern look.
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5. Embroidery
A great way to add a pop of color to your jeans is by adding intricate embroidery. Create floral patterns, geometric shapes, or personalized designs. Style with a tucked-in tee and ankle boots for a playful look.You can go for bright and colorful designs, or choose a more subtle color palette. The results will be stunning and you might be upcycling more pairs of jeans that you intended to. Embroidery kits like this one is all you need to get started.
Styling Tip: Choose embroidery threads that complement your jeans’ color.
6. Painted Perfection
Unleash your artistic side with painted jeans. Use fabric paints and brushes to create unique designs or abstract art on your denim. You can use fabric markers of so many different colors, or keep simple with black. You can draw simple floral lines, polka dots, or even meaningful words. The sky’s the limit when it comes to what to paint on your jeans. If going for bold colors, pair them with a simple white top so your jeans take center stage. Get these fabric paints on Amazon.
Styling Tip: Opt for acrylic fabric paints for a lasting finish. You can also use metallic paint markers for a unique touch.
7. Rhinestones Glam
If you love gems but need more sparkle in your life, forgo the pears and use rhinestones. Make a sparkling statement with rhinestone-studded jeans. Use a hot-fix applicator to attach rhinestones in patterns or along the pockets. Style with a glam top and heels for a night out. You can add them to your back pockets, or along the side seams, or even on the belt loops! The amount of rhinestones depends solely on how much sparkle you love, so you can keep it simple with just a few, or go all out! Get this kit from Amazon to get started!
Styling Tip: Keep your top sleek and chic to balance the bling.
8. Flared Fancy
Description: Revive the ’70s with DIY flared jeans. Cut a straight-leg pair into flares, sew the new hem, which can be of any pattern you’d like. Even better if you have some old piece of clothing you’re ready to get rid of. And voila! Pair with a retro blouse and platform shoes for a groovy look.
Styling Tip: Embrace the ’70s with bold prints and oversized sunglasses.
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9. Tassel Temptation
Description: Add movement to your jeans with tassel accents. Attach tassels along the sides or create a tassel belt. Style with a fitted tank top and sandals for a playful summer look. If you feel particularly crafty, you can make your one tassels with left over fabric. Otherwise you can buy pretty tassels online. No matter the option, the results will definitely make an impression.
Styling Tip: Opt for tassel colors that complement your jeans.
Here is another stunning way to add tassels to your jeans:
10. Shibori
Dive into the Japanese art of shibori by creating unique tie-dye patterns on your jeans. Use indigo dye for an authentic look. Pair with a simple tee and espadrilles for a relaxed vibe. If shibori style feels too intimidating to create, you can just go for the easier and ever so popular tie-dye technique. The results are similar and are easier to produce. It’s also important to point out that this is a fun project, and one that even your kids can help you with (and then do it on their own clothes!), so make sure to let it loose when doing tie-dye crafts!
Styling Tip: Experiment with different folding and tying techniques for diverse patterns.
11. Belted Beauty
If you like your jeans plain, then a loud or embellished belt might be a great compromise to give that extra but temporary great look. Enhance your jeans with a statement belt. Choose a wide one with an eye-catching buckle or add fabric belts in contrasting colors. Style with a tucked-in blouse and ankle boots for a polished appearance. Use gemstones in your belt, or one with lots of sequence. You can go extra bold on your belt because it’s such a small area compared to your pants. The great thing about this is that it will rarely overpower your outfit no matter how colorful it is!
Styling Tip: Let your belt define your waist and create an hourglass silhouette.
12. Embellished Elegance
Elevate your jeans with embellished pockets or hems. Use sequins, beads, or lace to create intricate designs. It’s a like a friendship bracelet, but on your jeans, so let your creative juices flow so you can create an awesome piece! You can combine all of the items just mentioned and still look super fabulous, or you can stick with just one of them for a simpler look. Pair with a blouse and heeled sandals for a chic and feminine look.
Styling Tips: Keep the rest of your outfit understated to let the embellishments shine. Silver sequences look especially well with jeans and it can easily match with virtually any color. Get the applique embellishments from here.
13. Belt Loop Bliss
Transform your belt loops into stylish accessories. Attach decorative chains, charms, or colorful strings to your loops. If Crocks can do it, so do your jeans. For a more refined look for a dress up occasion, you can use embellishments like sequences, or rhinestones. Otherwise you can get creative with chains, charms and everything you can think of (and hang). Style with a tucked-in shirt and sneakers for an effortlessly cool look.
Styling Tip: Choose accessories that match your jeans’ color scheme.
14. Statement Cuffs
Make a statement with cuffed jeans. Roll up your jeans to expose the ankles and add unique fabric cuffs. Or perls. Or sequences. Or anything you’d like and be as colorful as you want. The sky’s the limit so use your favorite things! Style with a graphic tee and high-top sneakers for a trendy urban look.
Styling Tip: Opt for contrasting or patterned cuffs for an eye-catching effect.
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15. Polished Paint Splatter
Embrace the artistic chaos of paint splatter jeans. This is where you don’t need to have any artistic skills at all, and just let the paint fall where it may. You can use one color or many. You can do strokes or splatters. The more rustic and unintentional the better. All you need is a brush and fabric paint so it doesn’t come off when you wash your jeans. Style with a crisp white shirt and loafers for a sophisticated yet artsy look.
Styling Tips: Keep the rest of your outfit clean and minimalistic to balance the paint splatter. Or not. I mean, this is the time to unleash your artistic self so if a lot of colors is your thing, go for it.
Get the paint from Amazon here.
If you want to level up this design – you can even write a few quotes:
Final Thoughts
With these 15 DIY styling jeans trends you’ll not only save money but also infuse your denim with your personality and creativity. Whether you prefer the edginess of distressed jeans or the elegance of embellished pockets, there’s a trend that fits everyone’s style and best of all: one that helps you with being more creative!
This is a great opportunity to turn those plain jeans into a work of art, regardless if you like just a few gemstones here and there for a more minimalist look, or going all out by being extra bold. The options are endless, and you will sure have fun creating pieces that will impress everyone!