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Kick It Up a Notch with an Acid-Wash

You got an old pair of jeans that you still fit into, but the wash or color of the denim keeps you from wearing them as much as you want? Or maybe you got an old denim jacket that just gathers dust in your closet, and you realized that if you added a little spunk to it, you might take that old thing out of retirement…Well if you wanna spark up your old denim and make it so flashy that you will want to wear them all day everyday, then get on the acid-washed denim kick! Acid-wash is very trendy right now and is a good way to make your apparel yours. I acid-washed two pairs of my denim shorts (one almost black denim pair and a medium blue jean pair). I also bleached an old pair of dark, dark jeans and an old Levi’s jean jacket that I found for $4 at a thrift store. I wanted to give them each a different look and a raw edge, and I was noticing what Rihanna and Kim Kardashian and all of the other Hollywood fashionistas were wearing, which was a stand out, rocker style with this acid look everywhere! I’ve seen splot-bleached leggings, 80's style bleached jean jackets, acid-washed jeans, dresses….This retro look is definitely back and on attack. I’m so not willing to spend an insane amount of money to get this effect, so I thought a DIY project would get the job done. After I finished this project, I knew a FYI blog was a must for sure because I am in LOOVE with all of my bleached garments now. They are DEFINITELY out of hiding!! Here’s a step-by-step process to achieve the look like Victoria Beck’s acid-washed dark denim jeans in this picture, but along with a million other optional methods for bleaching. The effects you can make with bleaching are endless. It's your masterpiece, so don't stop short and make it your own! Materials you will need: -Bleach (Clorox or generic brand is fine) -Latex gloves (a MUST) -Bucket -Water -Rubber bands (for different bleach effects) -Pumice stone and/or porous sponge (also for different bleach effects) -Spray bottle (again, for different effects)

1. Ok first thing first, make sure you are in an area where bleach can splash and it not be a big deal (i.e. I got bleach on my black rug and now I have yellow spots on it!) Also wear old clothes in case you go bleach-happy everywhere. I went out on the concrete in my backyard, which was a good idea because you can also see the effect taking place under the sunlight.
2. You will need to get your denim wet, so run water until the denim is wet but not soaked. Ring the garment out so that it is just damp and not dripping wet.
3. This is the point where you get to choose which method you would like to do, and this will determine your outcome on the denim…I will show you a list of effects and you can choose which you like.
4. You only have 15 minutes or so to get this done, because after a while the bleach starts to wear on the fabric and can be very damaging to your garment and your work of art! You will actually feel the bleach getting warm on your garment as it sits, and if you ring the bleach out you will see red or blue dripping from the clothes. Watch the denim closely over this time because you may want to add more bleach in certain areas. If you want it lighter or more bleached, just keep pouring that bleach...but make it snappy!
5. When you are happy with your results carefully take your garments to the washer, set on a normal cycle and VOILA you are done! A few tips: I washed my garments twice, and in with a LITTLE amount of detergent. The Clorox smell is very overwhelming so watch out, and don't inhale too much! Open windows if you are doing this inside, and remember to wear your gloves.

EFFECTS: -You can lay the denim down and just pour the bleach straight from the bottle onto it, this will make bleached lines up and down your jeans, and that way you can control everywhere you want the bleach to appear. -You can use a spray bottle to give it more of a dotted and graffiti type of look - You can use a pumice stone and soak it in bleach and you can also choose where to put the bleach on the jeans that way. You can rub or splot. You can also use the sponge after you have poured the bleach directly onto the denim, to kind of give it a more spread look. - If you like the hippie, tie-dye look, you can tie rubber bands sporadically around your garment and then pour the bleach on these areas. This affect is great, and makes your bleached spots pop. Look at Fergie’s jeans to see what I’m talking about. -You may also try pouring bleach in your bucket and either crumpling your garment and dipping for a crazy look, or you can dip the entire garment to get the entire thing bleached.

P.S. You can go even further and add embellisments like spikes or bling to your new clothes, or you can also make rips in your jeans to add a little kick to this Kick Ass Rockstar denim. This look can be made with a cheese grater, sandpaper and/or razor blade. But that’s a whole ‘nother blog

HAVE FUN ROCKIN YOUR NEW DENIM!!