Rip It Up

Do you have a pair of jeans that you may have accidentally snagged on something and now they have a big hole in them? Well, don't get rid of those jeans just yet! For the Spring of 2009, it's OK for your jeans to be ripped. Destroyed denim is everywhere right now. In fact, you may even want to add more holes to the jeans you've snagged. You can also grab a plain pair of jeans and rip them up with a cheese grater or a pair of scissors. But wait! The torn-up denim trend isn't just limited to the jeans. Denim skirts and shorts are now being destroyed as well. You can rip these up yourself too. However, if you don't want to tear up your own denim; you don't have to. There are many jeans, skirts, and shorts that already come pre-ripped. I will feature some of these styles below.

Destroyed Jeans:

Emma Boot Destroyed, $49.90, shown in medium destroyed; also available in superlight destroyed, sizes 00S-8L, abercrombie.com

Destructed Denim Capri, $24.99, available in sizes 00-13/14, aeropostale.com

Indigo Saints Shredded Boyfriend Jean, $42.50, available in sizes 1-13, alloy.com

Revolt Destroyed Jean Capri, $36.50, available in sizes 1-13, alloy.com

True Boot Jean, $39.95, available in sizes 00-18 and in lengths short-x long, ae.com

Fragile Boyfriend Crop Jeans, $32.99, available in size 1-9, charlotterusse.com

Hydraulic Boyfriend Jeans, $39.99, available in sizes 0-9, charlotterusse.com

Charlie Low-Rise Boyfriend Jean, $49.50, available in sizes 0-13/14, delias.com

Decree Super Skinny Flare, $29.99, shown in light blue; also available in dark blue, sizes 0-15, jcpenney.com

H2j Cuffed Denim Capris, $21.99, available in sizes 0-13, kohls.com

H2j Distressed Boot-Cut Jeans, $34.99, available in sizes 1-13, kohls.com

Fire Destroyed Boyfriend Lisa Ankle Jeans, $29.99, available in sies 1-11, macys.com

Bleach Out Destructed, $34.00, shown in light denim; also available in medium denim, sizes 0-9/10, mandee.com

Destructed 5 Pocket Skinny, $39.99, available in sizes 0-13, mandee.com

Destructed Bootleg, $29.99, available in sizes 0-13, mandee.com

Destructed Cuffed Crop, $28.00, available in sizes 1-11, mandee.com

Destructed With Rainbow Stitch, $29.99, available in sizes 1-11, mandee.com

Light Wash Destructed, $29.99, available in sizes 0-11, mandee.com

Sunblast Flare W/ Braided Belt, $34.00, available in sizes 0-13, mandee.com

Tinted Destructed, $29.99, available in sizes 0-11, mandee.com

To look like a rock star, wear these jeans with a Rock & Roll graphic t-shirt, some hoop earrings, and a pair of studded boots. Also, try wearing some printed or bright colored tights under the jeans so that the tights are peeking out through the rips. For a western-inspired look, pair these jeans with a plaid button-down shirt, a braided belt, a cowboy or straw hat, and some slouch boots. For a grunge-inspired look, wear your ripped jeans with a plaid top and some sneakers. To get a modern-day hippie look, you can pair them with a tie-dyed shirt or peasant top (article on peasant tops coming soon) and some flip flops. Another cute Spring look I have in mind is wearing some destroyed denim capris with a butterfly or floral printed tunic top, a pair of ballet flats, and some bangles. This would be the perfect way to add a feminine touch to the tough edge that shredded denim provides.

Shredded Shorts:

Boyfriend Bermuda, $29.50, available in sizes 0-13, alloy.com

ZCO Cutoff Stretch Jean Short, $24.50, available in sizes 0-13, alloy.com

AE Cut-off Denim Shorts, $34.50, available in sizes 00-18, ae.com

AE Destroyed Cutoff Denim Shorts, $34.50, available in sizes 00-18, ae.com

Campbell Cuff Jean Short, $34.50, available in sizes 00-15/16, delias.com

Bleach Washed Bermuda, $17.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Dark Wash Distressed Shorts, $32.00, available in sizes 1-13, hottopic.com

Decree Roll Cuffed Boyfriend Bermuda, $19.99, shown in lt ultra destruct; also available in dk ultra destruct; sizes 0-17, jcpenney.com

Decree Rolled-Cuff Short, $16.99, available in sizes 0-17, jcpenney.com

Bongo Cuffed Denim Bermuda Shorts, $19.99, available in sizes 0-17, kohls.com

5" Destructed Cuff, $29.99, available in sizes S-L, mandee.com

Destructed Bermuda, $32.00, available in sizes 0, 1, 3, 9, and 11, mandee.com

Extend Tab Short, $24.00, available in sizes 1-13, mandee.com

Zipper Trim Bermuda, $28.00, available in size 0-11, mandee.com

Bullhead Coronado Light Blue Cut Off Short, $25.00, available in sizes 00-13, pacsun.com

Bullhead Redondo Light Blue Destroyed Denim Short, $25.00, available in sizes 00, 7, 9, and 11, pacsun.com

Urban Renewal Levi's Destroyed Denim Shorts, $28.00, shown in blue; also available in black, sizes x-small-large, urbanoutfitters.com

Roll Cuff Bermuda Short, $22.50, shown in lt sndblstd; also available in dk sndblstd, sizes 0-13, wetseal.com

To wear distressed Bermuda shorts; pair them with a ruffled or lace top, high-heeled slingbacks, bangle bracelets, and some chandelier earrings. This is the perfect way to add a feminine balance to this style. If you want to wear the shorter shredded shorts; grab a screen tee, a pair of flip flops or sneakers, and some shutter shades. To wear either ripped up Bermuda shorts or short shorts on the beach, pair them with a bathing suit of your choice (bikini, tankini, monokini, or one-piece), flip-flops, and sunglasses (do NOT wear shutter shades if you're actually going to be hanging out in the sun).

Distressed Skirts:

Belted Mini Skrit, $24.99, available in sizes 3, 5, and 9, charlotterusse.com

Diane Denim Skirt, $15.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

Erin Frayed Denim Skirt, $19.80, available in sizes X-Small-Large, forever21.com

H81 Deena Denim Skirt, $19.90, shown in medium denim; also available in light denim, sizes 1, 3, 5, and 11 (medium denim only available in 1 and 3), forever21.com

C7P Destructed Mini, $24.99, available in sizes 0-17, jcpenney.com

Decree Destructed Mini, $19.99, shown in dk super destruc; also available in lt super spray, sizes 0-17, jcpenney.com

Paris Blues Distressed Denim Miniskirt, $17.99, available in sizes 3, 7, 11, and 15, kohls.com

SO Destructed Miniskirt, shown in light wash; also available in medium wash, sizes 0-17, kohls.com

Side Zipper Mini, $24.00, available in sizes 1-11, mandee.com

Tulip Back Pocket Mini, $24.00, available in sizes 1-11, mandee.com

Bullhead White Destroyed Denim Skirt, $35.99, available in sizes 00-13, pacsun.com

Juniors' Mossimo Supply Co. Denim Mini Skirt - Dark Wash, $19.99, available in sizes 1-19, target.com

Junior Mossimo Supply Co. Denim Mini Skirt, $19.99, available in sizes 1-19, target.com

Worn-In Denim Skirt, $39.50, available in sizes 0-10, victoriassecret.com

Destroyed Side Zip Mini Skirt, $19.50, shown in lt sndblstd; also available in dk sndblstd, available in sizes 3-11, wetseal.com

Notch Front Mini Skirt, $22.50, available in sizes 5-15, wetseal.com

For a bohemian look; wear a ripped denim skirt with a peasant top, oversized fringe handbag, and bangles. If you're going for a sexy look to wear on a date, pair your destroyed denim skirt with a halter or tube top, some hoop earrings, and high-heeled shoes. To get a cute cowgirl chic look, you can wear this skirt with a plaid shirt, a straw or cowboy hat, slouch boots, and a braided belt. If you want to look like a rock star, pair this skirt with a Rock & Roll graphic tank top, some studded or rhinestone embellished jewelry, and high heels.

I hope this article has made you as excited for the shredded denim trend as I am. I also hope my styling tips on different ways to wear this trend come in handy. Tell me if you know of any other ways to wear ripped denim. E-mail me at Charmed42787@gmail.com or talk to me on myspace.