So…. problem. I own two pairs of jeans. One is a completely ripped up pair of jeans only appropriate for the summer months. The other is a pair of black skinny jeans that I bought secondhand and love to pieces, literally. I wear them just about every day. Four days ago I was putting them on in a frenzy to run out the door and the crotch ripped. NOOOOOOOOOOO. Besides being totally devastated that my favorite pair of jeans ripped, I was bottomless except for my one pair of leggings that I typically only wear at night and my summer jeans.
Back to the problem though. No jeans, huge hole (as you can see above), and a minor panic attack. Number one I am not in a place financially to buy a new pair of jeans. Number two, I can sew but I have never put a patch in anything and didn’t want to do any more damage, so I walked- erm- ran my jeans to a local tailor in Brooklyn and asked if they could patch my jeans. THEY COULD! It was only 15 dollars which is a bargain compared to the money I would have spent buying a new secondhand pair of jeans and the time and frustration it takes to try them on. I really hate trying on jeans. So for the past few days I have been wearing my night leggings but now I finally have my jeans back!
I just picked them up and they are totally fixed, it cost me much less than buying a new pair of jeans, and I’m incredibly happy! It is easy to think that if an article of clothing rips it is “dead”. But this just goes to prove that even something like a pair of jeans that seems irreparable can be made almost like new!
38 comments
I have a Seamstress that I use. I can do minor repairs, but anything major I take to her. She is amazing and so inexpensive!
do you only have 2 of everything? i'm thinking of downsizing to that myself.
I have 2 pairs of jeans, but some things I only have one of. It just depends on the item.
Hello , my name is Gabriel and I'm from Brazil . I just saw your article in the " Fantastic" . I really enjoyed your initiative !
Thank you Gabriel!
Hey, I'm Débora, I'm from Brazil and I also saw your article on "Fantástico"! That's such a good initiative, congrats.
Thank you so much, Debora!
Hi, I'm from Brazil. I've seen your article on "Fantástico" and your incredible initiative has inspired me to do the same. Maybe it'll be difficult but I'll try it! Congratulations!
Hi Talita – i'm glad you liked the article! 🙂
Hello, I'm also from Brazil and I also saw your interview on tv! I just wanted to say that you're a great inspiration for anyone who wants to leave a positive mark on the planet. I will definitely start following your tips and making my own toothpaste and other products! 🙂
Thank you so much for letting me know 🙂
You would think everyone would know to repair their jeans, but that is not true at all. Some people would just throw them out if they had a hole not knowing that jeans can be repaired.
Lauren, I saw you on Fantástico too! Congratulations! You are an example and your part in the show was really nice! I never watch tv, but I was lucky in the last Sunday! Thanks for being you! Ahm, and you are really beautiful and natural! Awesome! I will read your blog though… Bye Singer!
Thank you so much for watching and for the amazing compliments 🙂 So nice!
I taught myself how to darn a couple of years ago and just darned my first jeans crotch! It is holding up so well! And the cotton I used is so nice and soft. Going to make these jeans last forever!
I have never heard of darning before – it is so cool! Thank you for telling me 🙂
Hello Lauren,
just discovered your blog and got immediately encouraged to minimize my trash footprint, too. I am a 23 year-old girl and you really impress me. Thank you for sharing your ideas with us.
One tip: One does not always have to wash one´s trouser. Sometimes it can help to put the jeans for some hours into the freezer. That saves water and washing agent as well.
Greetings from Germany,
Narin
Hi Narin,
Thank you so much for your comment! I have never put my jeans in the freezer – i'll try it, thanks! 🙂
Lauren
I discovered your blog today. It's amazing. I would like if you can give us some tips for the parents with kids. I am getting around my house to see how many plastic things I have but…. what we can do with hand lotion, moisturizer, make up?
I recommend making them yourself. I will be putting up a lot of my recipes soon – so stay tuned 🙂
Next time, you could always try layering your leggings under your "summer" jeans. That would buy you some time until you could either repair or replace the black ones.
That is such a great idea!
Do you have a particular style of jeans you only wear or something? Cause I can find plenty of jeans at thrift stores (salvation army, local stores, goodwill, etc) for $5 or less. I've also bought new jeans at department stores (macys) on sale for $15 or less.
I can definitely find jeans for cheaper – but I am very particular about the style that I like – so to find a pair that i'm in love with and will want to wear every day i'm happy to pay $20-$25 as opposed to not loving a pair I buy for cheaper. I am very, very selective.
Great blog with lots of useful tips. Wishing you the best!
Thank you so much Charlotte!
I really love this blog. It's inspires me to not only to treat my body healthier, but also the environment that surrounds me. Thank you.
Wow, thank you so much Abby! 🙂
Off subject (and maybe too personal!) but what about bras and panties? These are a couple of items I can't imagine buying secondhand. Can you suggest a company? Thanks and I enjoy your blog!
Lauren, you are unbelievable, congratulations!!!
Nudie jeans repair all their jeans in stores for free! It's so good and such a lovely sustainable idea. They also recycle jeans once unrepairable – so even if you found a pair second hand they would repair them for you:)
I would love to see a post where you chronicle your capsule wardrobe and accessories! 🙂 I have a small wardrobe, but I know I could pare down more.
I only own two pairs of jeans. They are both classic/timeless styles made with quality fabric and are in great condition, bought for 10-20$ at H&M maybe 5 years ago, and that was only because my older jeans didn't fit due to weight loss. I generally wash them inside out and hang dry (dryers are a waste and cause extreme needless wear on fabrics), and they usually only get washed once or twice a month. While not all of their clothes are high quality, I find it pretty easy to find classic, well made staples without a ton of fake materials (cotton vs synthetics) at H&M that last forever and never need more than the rare seam re-sewed due to a loose thread. I love their organic cotton tanks, because they are like ten bucks and in ~8 years I haven't had to replace any of mine. Not all fashion need be expensive or wasteful, and it's a totally viable option to retire/repurpose a badly damaged pair and replace it for the same cost as a tailor's repair.
Hi Lauren!
What do you recommend for items that are beyond repair? I have a couple of things that are totally worn out or have stains I can't remove. I hate to throw them away, but they are definitely not in a condition to donate.