Be prepared for one of the most casual outfits you will ever see me in.  Florida is in the blazing hot stage of summer, and today I wanted to run errands on my bike, so that meant wearing clothes that could deal with the heat while still letting me look decent enough to drop off a check at the bank and go to the library.  Being that the weather has been like this for awhile, my brown city shorts were already in the laundry.  I really didn’t feel like wearing a dress either.  Thus, I decided to wear some DIY denim cut-offs, and explain how you can make your own pair too!

Denim cut-offs are pretty much the easiest DIY in the world – if you can cut a straight line, you can make them.  In fact they’re so easy, that I feel it’s absolutely ludicrous to buy them new.  All you need are a pair of jeans and some fabric scissors.  For me, I chose some jeans that I had for awhile and that were hemmed too short to really be useful.  Make sure that the jeans you choose fit you nicely – if the fit is already bad, then making them shorts won’t really help.

I laid the jeans flat, and then laid another pair of shorts over them that I liked the length of.  I marked where I wanted to cut them with some chalk, and then carefully cut in a straight line.  Then I washed them and trimmed the white threads that were hanging (this is a personal preference- I just think it looks kind of shabby to leave the white threads un-cut, but to each their own).  If you sew and want to prevent the fraying from going too far, you could stitch a straight line just about the fraying, but this really isn’t necessary.  This simple DIY can also work on other denim or corduroy items, like skirts or dresses.  The main thing with making cut-offs is to beware of the length – make them too short, and you look kind of like Daisy Duke.

Cut-offs have limited places where they are really appropriate.  They’re wonderful for outdoor summer events, such as picnics, barbecues, the beach, summer bike rides, etc.  Just please, never wear them to work.

And just to be sure not to mislead anyone, I do wear a helmet when I ride my bike.  Because I really like my brain, and I feel that keeping my brain is worth dealing with a little helmet hair.

Blouse: Ann Taylor LOFT (thrifted)
Cami: Gap
Shorts: Lucky Brand (thrifted and re-conned)
Sandals: Born Savory
Bangles: Jill Popowich
Necklace: Kira Ferrer
Earrings: June Designs
Bicycle: Vintage Schwinn Suburban