How To Cut Wide Leg Denim Like a Pro

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Hi friends! I’ve got a fun and crafty blog post for you today. Who doesn’t love a good DIY, especially one that adds a stylish, personalized touch to your wardrobe? Today, I’m showing you my favorite way to cut wide-leg jeans for that perfectly cropped look. I recently snagged a pair of jeans from Target that were just a bit too long, so I decided to give them a quick DIY hem. I’ll walk you through my simple, tried-and-true steps to get that effortless raw hem without ruining your jeans!

4 Steps to Cut Wide Leg Jeans

Step One: Try Them On & Cuff the Edge

Start by slipping into your jeans and heading to a mirror. Cuff the bottoms to your ideal length, this is where you’ll want the jeans to hit once they’re cut. Take a moment to walk around, sit down, and double-check that the length feels right. Remember it’s always better to start a little longer — you can always trim more later, but you can’t un-cut!

Step Two: Get Everything Lined Up

Once you’re happy with the length, take the jeans off and fold them in half lengthwise. Make sure the inseams are perfectly aligned — this ensures an even cut on both legs. A little precision here goes a long way in making your DIY look like you bought it at the store.

Step Three: Snip, Snip!

With the jeans still folded, make a small cut on each side right where you cuffed them earlier. Then, unfold the cuffs and continue cutting straight across. You’ll likely see a natural crease from where the jeans were folded; use that as a guide to keep your cut clean and even. 

Step Four: Distress the Edges

Now for the fun part! To get that perfectly undone, frayed-hem look, rub the cut edges of the denim together. You’ll start to see the fabric loosen up and fray. Then toss the jeans in the wash, and the agitation will enhance the frayed effect, giving you that effortless, lived-in finish.

Below is a fun little graphic to help you remember all these steps!

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And there you have it, an easy and fun way to give your wide-leg jeans a custom, on-trend update without spending a dime on alterations! I love how a simple DIY like this can transform a piece and make it feel brand new. Whether you’re giving new jeans a better fit or breathing life into an old pair, this method is a quick win for your wardrobe. Let me know if you try it out, I’d love to see your results. Happy crafting, friends!