DIY: Acid Wash Jean Jacket

I’m going to start the month of September with a little DIY. It’s been awhile! I’ve mentioned Beth Jones Style before. There are a couple of her YouTube videos where she’s wearing this best acid wash jean jacket. Ever since I saw her in an oversized one, I’ve wanted my own. I was pretty close to having the perfect acid wash jacket from my local charity shop, but there was a guy that also wanted it, so I was a good Samaritan, and I let him have it. Since I had still been longing for that jacket I passed up and also one like Beth’s I finally decided to take matters in my own hands and just make my own. It couldn’t have been easier!

Keep reading to see how I made this acid wash jean jacket:

DIY: Acid Wash Jean Jacket

1. Gather the supplies.

First, I found a very large, pretty dark, mens’ jean jacket at Value Village. My diy patner (my niece Maeve) also found a cute little jean jacket for her to work with. The other two ingredients needed were a bunch of rubber bands and bleach. Finally a big container would help but this could also be done in a tub, and water is necessary. This DIY is not limited to a jean jacket; it could be done with jeans, cut-offs, or even a denim shirt. Also, this same process could be applied to black, grey, even red denim. Doesn’t matter–take your pick!

2. Start rubber banding your denim.

We took our denim, scrunched it up, and added a rubber band. We’d twist some more and add a rubber band. Basically you want to roll, twist, fold, and scrunch the item up holding it all together with rubber bands. The more used, the more acid wash the item becomes.

3. Place a gallon of bleach in a container and dilute with water.

We wanted the bleach strong–but not too strong. The water helps dilute the bleach but don’t use too much water. It’s a happy medium and up to your own choice. We filled the bin with 1 one part bleach 3 parts water. Let that jacket soak for as long as you like. We left in the bucket for about an hour and a half. For more of a wash keep it longer; for less of a wash, take it out quicker.

4. Dry the jacket.

There are two ways about drying the jacket: a machine dryer or the sun. For further bleaching, choose the sun. We chose the sun and could physically watch further bleaching happen. It was amazing! Once the jacket has been dried, a final wash is needed–to get all that bleach out! At this time line drying is the best option so no further bleaching occurs.

*Extra Step

While my jacket was drying in the sun, I took a spray bottle filled with bleach and sprayed the jacket in random places. It gave this really cool spotty vibe to add to the acid wash effect. I like it!!

Before you go here’s a special style story about these bright red high tops: my mom joined my niece, Maeve–the same one who created an acid wash jean jacket with me–on a school trip to NYC. One afternoon while they were shopping, my mom spotted these shoes in Aldo. She picked them and asked Maeve, “Who do these remind you of?” Instantly Maeve said, “Auntie Annie!” My mom got them for me. So sweet huh? I love them. And, yes, they are so me!!

*This post has been linked up to Not Lamb’s #iwillwearwhatilike and Fake Fabulous’ #fakeituntilyoumakeit.