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Cost
$ $ $ $ $
Difficulty
• • • • •
Time
40 mins

Don't Buy...D.I.Y Your Own Shredded Style Statement*
Along with the return of all things 80s has come a resurgence in "deconstruction"...ie. rips, tears, shreds, and garments seemingly torn asunder. L.A.-based designer Raquel Allegra recently showed tattered L.A. County Jail shirts fashioned - unbelievably - into fabulously floaty tops and dresses (above), while Erin Wasson looked unbelievably tacky trendy in a pair of well-ventilated TopShop jeans. Fashion bloggers like Rumi at FashionToast, Outsapop, and Camille of Childhood Flames (who works some serious shredding magic with a seam ripper and a Hanes tee) have all blogged about the grooviness of a shredded top. And shredded tights look tres au courant with a dark mini, sweaterdress, or anything frilly (just not plaid...too 1992).

Instead of shelling out for pre-ripped tights, here's how to actually do it yourself:

Posted by carlyjcais from Portland, Oregon, United States • Published See carlyjcais's 60 projects »
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  • How to make a pair of tights / pantyhose. Shredded Tights - Step 1
    Step 1

    PICK THE RIGHT PAIR The last thing you want is a granny'ish thigh shaper peeking out from beneath your mini skirt, so choose semi-sheer or sheer black stockings. And because the higher-denier weaves of opaque tights and more expensive versions don't shred vertically as well, cheaper is best for this project. Try: L'eggs Sheer Energy

  • How to make a pair of tights / pantyhose. Shredded Tights - Step 2
    Step 2

    START TO SLASH Put on the tights and use tiny scissors or a seam ripper to make horizontal slashes around thigh- or knee-level. To create the best looking "ladders", snip only the vertical anchors (between the horizontal threads).

  • How to make a pair of tights / pantyhose. Shredded Tights - Step 3
    Step 3

    ARTFULLY SHRED Use your fingers to create runs in the stockings by pulling vertically up and down. Keep pulling at the horizontal threads until you have the look you want. NOTE: Don't pull too many horizontal threads or you'll end up with an unattractive "fluffy" sort of look. Also, to keep your hard work from (literally) falling apart, stop pulling before you hit the areas prone to stress and ripping - ie. before you hit the panty/crotch area at the top; similarly, do not pull all the way down to the ankles/bottom of the feet.

  • How to make a pair of tights / pantyhose. Shredded Tights - Step 4
    Step 4

    FIX & FINISH To prevent any further ripping and destruction, dab on quick-dry clear nailpolish, pulling the tights away from your skin as you apply, and waiting til it's dry before letting go. Although the nailpolish will look a bit "crusty" when you take the tights off, when you put them on again, the polish will be invisible.

  • Step 5

    HAND WASH Deliberate shredding makes clothing delicate, so hand-washing is a must.

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Comments

Ruby g.
Ruby g.
Really nice one..
Reply
smith j.
smith j.
NIce dress..
Reply
EmmaThePrincess
EmmaThePrincess · Kalmar, Kalmar County, SE · 23 projects
I'm so going to show this to my mom. She thinks that I should throw away all of my ripped stockings and such alike. Woho. That people actually do rip their tights on purpose is. Uhm. I'm a natural clutz and too lazy to buy new ones. Great!
I know this how to was written two years ago, but they say that Sweden is a couple of years behind when it comes to fashion. ;)
Oh well. I am amused. Thank you.
Reply
carlyjcais
carlyjcais · Portland, Oregon, US · 61 projects
@Rock Star Lucifer: Yay! So gladHappy

xoxo
Carly
Reply
M
M · Norway, Maine, US · 2 projects
Thank you, this learry help meHappy I just did it, an it turm ut tottaly awsome Happy
Reply
carlyjcais
carlyjcais · Portland, Oregon, US · 61 projects
Thanks kate v.?!!
Reply
kate v.
kate v. · San Pedro, Calabarzon, PH · 2 projects
this is superb?!!
Reply
carlyjcais
carlyjcais · Portland, Oregon, US · 61 projects
Mi.ezekatze: Actually there are some people out there who need a little help on this - who've ended up with an unwearable pile of shreds because they've ripped them wrong. Plus stopping the rips with nailpolish is a little trick not everyone is aware of. And yes, there are companies selling pre-ripped, or holey tights - though many of them have been laser-cut so the heat of the lazer seals the nylon to prevent further ripping.

Thank you for your comment.
xoxox
Carly
Reply
FrolleinKram
FrolleinKram · Las Vegas, Nevada, US · 132 projects
I would never figure THAT out on my own................
Irony aside, you can actually BUY ripped tights? Who on earth is stupid enough to throw out money for these?
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