Ripped, torn, and otherwise distressed denim is once again in style this spring. This season’s incarnation of the trend, however, is a bit different from how it looked in previous decades. Instead of giving off a rebellious or grungy vibe, spring 2010 ripped denim is all about looking sultry and seductive with a little bit of edge. If you’re dying for a trendy new pair of jeans, pick up some ripped ones, and follow our tips to rock them right.
General Tips on Wearing Ripped Denim
Pick a style. Ripped denim isn’t just for jeans this season! You can find distressed details on a variety of denim styles this season, from shorts to mini skirts to jackets. Pick your favorite piece and go from there.
Consider the occasion. Though some denim pieces (namely dark wash jeans) are usually socially acceptable for wear in dressier situations, distressed denim is very casual and relaxed, and NOT appropriate for a dressy occasion. While torn styles are great for hanging out or running errands, they’re not great going-out options. Also, if your style leans towards prim and proper, you probably won’t find ripped jeans appropriate for classroom wear.
Choose how much you want to show. As a general rule, the smaller the piece, the less distressing it should have. A pair of frayed denim shorts, for example, should be less destroyed than a pair of jeans simply because the cut of the shorts is more revealing. Slashed skinny jeans have been a celebrity favorite, but avoid wearing a slashed mini skirt in an attempt to emulate their look. If you’re ever feeling overexposed, layer! Try a funky pair of tights or leggings under whatever you’re wearing for extra coverage and style.
Spend wisely. You’re buying denim that’s already destroyed, so spend accordingly! Though ripped denim is adorable and gives your style a relaxed Cali-girl vibe, this is a trend that you’re probably not going to want to drop hundreds of dollars on. Feeling creative? It’s easy (and cheap!) to distress some old jeans you already own! Check out a great DIY tutorial here.
Keep an eye on placement. Notice where holes and distressed areas hit on your body. You probably already realize that a gigantic rip near your back pockets isn’t ideal, but also watch out for holes in or near the knees of your jeans. If you plan on bending down or being active, little holes in these areas can become BIG ones very quickly. Also, be careful when putting on ripped jeans! I’ve definitely accidentally stuck my toe into a hole and further ripped it on more than one occasion.
Outfit Inspiration
Distressed
Product Information: Splendid Oversized Jersey Tee, ShopBop. Unlock My Heart Necklace, Forever 21. Painted Denim Shorts, American Eagle. Pastel Studded Hoop Earrings, Fantasy Jewelry Box. Laredo Leather Western Boot, Delias. BKE Ribbed Tank, The Buckle.
Torn
Product Information: Central Park West Tristan Ruffle Top, Piperlime. Ciao Bella Cutout Leather Flats, Bluefly. Always Skinny Destructed Jeans, Gap. Cameo Sequin Headband, Miss Selfridge. I Love You Pendant Necklace, Monsoon.
Destroyed
Product Information: Full Tilt Boyfriend Tee, Tilly’s. BKE Jewled Cuff Bracelet, The Buckle. Teardrop Cocktail Ring, Zappos. Siwy Hannah Slim Jeans, Shopbop. Lucky Brand Havana Mosaic Scarf, Piperlime. Multi Stud Gladiator Sandals, Wet Seal.
Tell me what you think!
Are you excited to see ripped denim emerge again this season? Do you already own any ripped, destroyed, or distressed denim pieces? If you do, what are your tips for wearing them? Let everyone know with your comment!
Although I’m not the type of person who would spend good money on pre-ripped clothes, I do occasionally wear my pants to the point of ripping. Sometimes I’ll wear a pair of black leggings under a pair of ripped jeans to give myself a little more confidence, especially if the rip is in the upper half of the jeans.
I love these outfits! Especially the second one with all the lovely embellishments – I hadn’t thought about pairing ripped denim with delicate pieces, but its got potential!
I really like the second outfit! It’s definitely inspirational and makes me want to try the ripped denim trend. I don’t really wear denim at all, I’m more into skirts and dresses, but the second outfit is so feminine and I really really like it!
these outfits are cute, but i feel as though western style boots are too much with a pair of cutoff shorts. otherwise, i love all the styles you picked!
I love the secon outfit: rebel but romantic… And the third is also nice!!! XD
I absolutely love this article! Although I may not spend money on them, the DIY link was very helpful. I loved how you dressed up the jeans in outfit number 2. I feel sloppy some days if my jeans are torn but you made it look so put together!
I dont know about the cowboy boots, but this list is definitely missing some boyfriend jeans. I really like the third outfit!
Hey,
I’m from Brazil, and this site is my diary reading hehe! I love the fashion tips, makeup and shopping online.
And I loved the new face of this blog.
Kisses.
I am also not a fan of the ripped denim look, though I have slightly more tolerance for distressed (rather than completely ripped) jeans. I have a one pair of jeans that has two tiny distressed spots, and I wish that they didn’t. It might work in laid-back California but I find it to look sloppy and so overdone in most other places. It was a cute trend at first, but its just become too much. There is no reason for me to see the majority of your upper thigh in when its below freezing outside!
2nd fit is nice.
I dont really like anything in the 1st, but if i had to choose one item it would be the tank.lol
I like everything but the destroyed jeans in the 3rd outfit.
I absolutely LOVED all of the accessories you picked out! Too bad I’m not a fan of destroyed jeans but I’d wear all of these outfits with skinny jeans anyway!
I’m lovin this looks!! my style is usually girly with an edgy or laid back twist , so distressed jeans have always been my favorites! I know dark denim is dressier, but i just think is boring so i just wear them when i have no choice…
The only thing i dont like too much are the boots, with those shorts i’ll feel like daisy duke!
BTW, i love this site! I’m from Dominican Republic and I always read your articles looking for fashion inspiration, specially in spring-summer, since weather here is always hot!
personally not a fan of distressed/ripped/& especially destroyed jeans. i usually tend to wear mine until they’re falling apart as it is, so why should i pay money for the same look when i do it naturally?
that being said, i like the looks you’ve put together – not at all trashy & quite nice!
IMPORTANT NOTE: being as this trend doesn’t seem to be going away take care when spending money on ripped denim, take a good look around the rip, any reputable company will have stitched around the hole to re-enforce the stitching, if it’s not sewn the holes will just get bigger, and bigger, and bigger.
If you want them to last ALWAYS check for stitching around the hole, or sew it yourself.
I love the second look but when I clicked on the link for the pants, they looked completely different than the picture shown. Any ideas???
love the third look the most
grey n green go really well together
I had destroyed jeans back in 2003… I guess since it’s been a long time since I’ve really been rocking actual destroyed jeans I think the look is… unprofessional … too disheveled. I mean yeah, if you wear your jeans so much they are ripped and have holes thats fine… but it just doesn’t look very good.
I do like distressed shorts for the summer, but with regards to jeans. not sure… I dont think its flattering on me. I love my legs but I am thicker than the average. so dark and clean denim is my best friend lol.
Don’t you think the thing with distressed jeans is where to wear them and not how to wear them? I think they look good with any ouitfit you would wear with regular jeans.
Marisa: I can’t agree. There are some pieces which – when paired with ripped jeans – will make you look like a slob. Take an oversized t-shirt or a grandpa cardigan as an example. They may look good paired with leggins and some cute accesories, but with distressed jeans it’s kind of an instant-hobo-look combination.
I like ripped jeans, but they should not be too ripped!
Nice styles!
/Milana
I love these outfits! I’m starting to play around with the ripped A&F jeans I bought last summer that have been sitting in my dresser–I like them but didn’t know what to pair them with. This post gave me some great ideas! (PS:–I totally used those gold Bluefly flats in my St. Patty’s Day outfits post hehe! great shoes!)
I love all the outfits, minus the boots in the first one and the bow in the 2nd one. I have ripped jeans from Charlotte Russe (they’re not too drastic, but there’s a rip above one knee) that I always wear casually. I just may buy another pair of ripped denim now 🙂
I usually like all of your outfits, but these look young and trashy to me.
The first outfit reminds of all these out of state freshmen girls at my uni on the first weeks of the fall semester…just because you now live in arizona you should not wear daisy duke shorts, cowboy boots, and a straw hat!!
Ommgg I think I need that bracelet in the last outfit
I am SO tired of the distressed denim trend. Maybe I’m shopping at the wrong places, but I feel like its almost impossible to find jeans that are a youthful cut (not too high rise or too dark) that don’t have some kind of intentional distress on them, that don’t cost over $50. I need my jeans to work for casual fridays and other casual dress events with my university or internship, and also to work on the weekends. When this one dies out I’ll be really happy. It just looks tacky.