6 Tricks to Aging Denim Like a Rock Star

The classic James Dean stance. Peter Fonda cruising down the open road with Dennis Hopper. Even Kanye West making a style statement for the paparazzi. Icons of style are often in the back of our minds for many of us when we set out to buy a pair of jeans.   But choosing a great pair of jeans is only half the battle when it comes to achieving that iconic look. Jeans fade and wears in over time, leading to creases and discolorations that truly make denim iconic. And while you can wear your jeans dutifully for a year or so to and work them out towards that great natural fade, who really has time for that? So here are some tips to help you get that rockstar fade in record time.  

(1) Break Out the Sandpaper

Sanding creates friction which breaks down fabric. Rubbing spots like the front of the jeans by the knees or the seat will accelerating aging and fading in those areas creating a naturally won in look. If you prefer power tools, using and electric sander will speed up the process and save you considerable effort.  

(2) Take a Bath in Them

Soaking will shrink your jeans, making them more responsive to your movement when you wear them. But why not go next level with that approach. Wear your jeans in the tub while soaking to have them shrink and conform to your body shape at the same time. The result is denims that uniquely fits your body shape and movements.  

(3) Microwave Your Jeans

This may seem a bit bizarre, but heck, we all want to tap into our inner mad scientist from time to time. The chemical compounds that make up indigo dye will break down when exposed to microwave radiation, leading to faster fading. Just be careful when exposuring metal rivets, buttons and zippers – we suggest nuking your jeans in increments of 30 seconds or less to be safe, with ample time in between to let them cool off.  

(4) Take a Razor to the Edges

Hems along the pockets and bottoms all look great with a little bit of distressing. Help that process along by gently scrapping a razor along parts of the hem. The fibers will loosen up and accelerated distressing will happen naturally after that.  

(5) Rub Them with Coffee Beans

Here is a great way to get faster fades right where you want them – Try rubbing coffee beans on your jeans, particularly in areas where you want faster, more accentuated fading. Why? Because coffee is acidic, and the acids in coffee will break down the fabric just enough to promote a natural looking fade.  

(6) Vinegar to Keep Your Preferred Fade

Yes, good old plain white vinegar. Once your jeans fade to a color and finish you like, simply wash them in cold water with one cup of vinegar. Do not add any detergent. Your jeans won't come out smelling vinegary, but the vinegar will promote a reaction between the indigo and the fabric that will help the dye set and reduce future fading.   photo credit: Nabeel* via photopin cc photo credit: cafemama via photopin cc