Join
the
Fray
Summer style is all about casual ease. Layers are shed, buttons undone and socks don't see the light of day for weeks on end. And what's more casual or easy than cut-offs? Made from an old pair of your chinos, the fit will be trimmer than your average shorts, resulting in a look that's a touch more grown-up but still rumpled and cool. For more stylishly adventurous guys, give a pair of jeans a subtle lift while giving your ankles some breathing room by hacking off the hem. It's a pro move we've noticed floating around street style snaps lately, with everyone from sneakerheads to dapper dudes like Sid Mashburn sporting self-snipped Levi's. The key to this look is a trim pair of jeans and we've found a single cuff adds some nice dimension to the fringe. What's more, both moves instantly update your summer wardrobe without spending a dime.
Seen on the Street
Photos by George Elder, Jian DeLeon, Tommy Ton.
Shorts
1.
Fold the pants together and cut both legs off just under the knee. This isn't the final cut, so don't worry about uneven hems or imperfect cuts.
2.
Try them on and cuff each leg to the desired length. Take them off, smooth onto a flat surface, aligning all the seams and hems, then snip across in even cuts.
3.
Gather the new hems and rub to loosen threads. Pull out or snip any long strands. Toss them in the washer for a soft, frayed edge.
Jeans
1.
While wearing the jeans (ideally with the kind of shoes you'd normally wear them with), fold up the hems of one leg to make a large cuff at the desired length.
2.
Take the jeans off and lay them flat, placing the cuffed leg over the original and mark the length with a pencil. Unfold cuff and use a ruler to make a straight line on both legs.
3.
Using sharp scissors, cut across evenly. Rub the cut edges, pulling out any long strands to further the fraying.
