I have this favourite pair of Banana Republic chinos. I’ve had them for ages (over 13 years). But I just had not been wearing them lately. There was a tiny hole at the knee and they always looked a bit wrinkly. But I was also in desperate need of a pair of shorts last summer, so I took a pair of scissors strategically to the chinos and enjoyed the shorts all summer. Here’s what I did.
Planning
I love this pair of pants. They’re lightweight, comfortable, and washable. But they were always wrinkled and I don’t have time to iron at the moment. Also, I didn’t have enough shorts that fit and were long enough for my thighs. So, these pants were transformed from long to short.
I tried them on, measured, compared to other shorts I own, and determined where I wanted them to land (just at the top of my knee). Right about where my hand is in this photo. I marked with chalk.
Cutting
Measure twice, cut once, right? Thankfully, I did this both on my body and off to make sure I was cutting at the same spot on both pants legs and the right spot for my height. I turned the pants inside out to make the cuts. I first made notches in both pants legs to make sure I was even, then did the big cut across both knees.
Eek! No going back now.
Onto the second leg.
Done!
Admiring & Wearing
The final shorts were perfect. Lightweight and comfortable for hot weather. Very casual, but could be dressed up if I ever iron them and pair them with a black silk sweater top and statement necklace. I have a fab photo of me wearing them while walking my parents’ dog, but can’t find it. Sadly, I’m usually chasing my sons so no chance to pose for outfit pics. But I’ll get one and add it soon.
I remember back in high school I had this pair of black jeans (also Banana Republic) that were so hot. I couldn’t wear them at all spring through autumn, so I decided to cut them off. But I waited until I was going on a trip from cold weather to hot weather and I went to the airplane bathroom and made them cutoffs in there just before landing. That was way back with sewing scissors were allowed on airplanes. Have you made cutoffs from previously loved pants or jeans?