{"id":733,"date":"2019-11-28T11:52:58","date_gmt":"2019-11-28T11:52:58","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/womensrealm.co\/?post_type=guide&p=733"},"modified":"2020-08-24T19:09:14","modified_gmt":"2020-08-24T19:09:14","slug":"how-to-make-distressed-t-shirt","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/womensrealm.co\/how-to-make-distressed-t-shirt\/","title":{"rendered":"How to Make Your Own Distressed T-Shirt: It\u2019s Easier Than You Think"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

What Is a Distressed T-shirt?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

You\u2019ve seen them on celebrities, strategically ripped shirts in wild prints, and usually expensive. All in the name of fashion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Distressed t-shirts have a long history in fashion. They were very prevalent in punk rock circles of the seventies and eighties. Made popular by artists like Debbie Harry, ripped clothing is a sign of rebelliousness, mystery, and sex. In the same vein, the nineties grunge era emphasized the look, further romanticized with bands like Nirvana and Hole.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"Distressed<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Now, today\u2019s more mainstream icons, i.e., Gigi Hadid, Zoe Saldana, Justin Bieber, Kanye West, etc., are reintroducing the distressed tee as high fashion. Designer labels, such as Balmain and Saint Laurent, are pricing these tees at hundreds of dollars. Moreover, vintage band tees are on-trend and sold at high prices to lovers of authenticity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, the average person might not\nwilling to spend that kind of cash on a distressed tee! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Here are some fun and easy tips for creating your own distressed tees without breaking the bank.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

5 Ways to Distress a\nTee<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Diversify your distressed t-shirts! \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Designers like Robert Cary Williams, famous for shooting bullets into his distressed tees<\/a>, are cool but far-fetched from an everyday person\u2019s toolkit. Thankfully, with a piece of cardboard and several tools, you too can strut like a celebrity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method One: Cheese\nGrater<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Not typically a tool for fashion, a cheese grater is a great DIY tactic to make a perfect distressed tee. Grate against whatever part of the shirt you want distressed, as long as the cardboard is underneath. The grating is one of the more complicated techniques, but it leaves effortless, random holes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method Two:\nSandpaper<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Sandpaper is fantastic for giving a distressed t-shirt that authentic, worn-in look. Perfect for collars and seams, just wrap around a finger and rub away at the cloth. You\u2019ll find that sandpaper really gives your distressed t-shirt that unique \u2018oompf\u2019 factor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Moreover, smooth away new scissor cuts with sandpaper the same way you would with a pumice stone. Both are useful to make new holes look like well-worn ones.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method Three:\nScissors and Pumice Stone<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Just cutting holes with scissors can be\ntricky, most holes looking cheap and ugly without care.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

No wonder so many people settle on store-bought distressed tees, paying such high prices for the coveted style.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The key to completing this look is cutting the holes with scissors in the fabric, then rubbing pumice stone against it, and a piece of cardboard. Rubbing with pumice will make the perforations seem naturally made, a product of time and worn in love rather than a desperate ploy to look chic.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These specific holes also need strategic places\u2013best not to tear one around the chest area. The best locations for the comparatively wider scissor cuts would be the collar, shoulder, or hip\/waist area.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

With this tactic and expert placement, the holes and tears frame the body rather than taking away attention from the distressed tee and more on odd placement.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method Four: Razor \n<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

A razor is the easiest to control and\ndoesn\u2019t leave as many awkward holes as scissors might. \n<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Against the cloth and a piece of cardboard, drag the razor horizontally to create long slices similar to scissors for a smoother look. For smaller and a more diverse set of holes, pull the razor straight down in a vertical line.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Method Five: Bleach<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

After making all your cuts and tears, put a spotlight on them by putting the distressed tee in a bleach wash. The holes will look years old, circled by the rusty color of bleach on certain colors.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Lots of distressed t-shirts are designed with bleach stains in mind, so don\u2019t be afraid to try this! If anything, it\u2019ll make whatever print your tee has more eye-catching!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Additional Tips: \n<\/h2>\n\n\n\n