Your new jeans are perfect, except for one thing: they are too long. The extra fabric bunches up at your ankles, ruining the look and fraying on the ground.

Yes, you can absolutely cut jeans with scissors to make them shorter. This is a very simple and common do-it-yourself method to get the perfect length right at home.

In my 20-plus years of making jeans, length is one of the most critical measurements.

In the factory, we produce jeans in standard inseam lengths, like 30, 32, and 34 inches. But everyone's body is different.

A designer like Dean knows that the final look depends on how the jeans "break" or fall on the shoe.

Sometimes, a customer needs a custom length that falls between standard sizes.

While we handle this with precision machinery, the basic principle is the same. You can achieve a great result at home with just a steady hand and a good pair of scissors.

How to shorten jeans with scissors?

You've decided to take the plunge and shorten your jeans yourself. You have the scissors, but you need a simple, step-by-step process to avoid making a terrible mistake.

To shorten jeans¹ with scissors, first mark your desired length while wearing them. Then, lay them flat, add an inch for a hem if you want one, and cut carefully along the line.

Doing this correctly is all about preparation. Don't just eyeball it and start cutting. Follow these exact steps for a perfect result every time.

First, put on the jeans with the shoes you plan to wear them with most often.

This is a critical step because different shoes, like sneakers versus boots, can change how the jeans fall. Fold the cuff of one leg up to the exact length you want.

Look in a full-length mirror to make sure you like it. Once you are happy, use fabric chalk² or even a pin to mark the bottom of the fold.

Take the jeans off and lay them on a flat surface. Use a ruler to draw a straight, even line across the leg at your mark.

Then, measure from the waistband to your line and use that measurement to mark the other leg. This ensures both legs are identical. Now, you're ready to cut.

Can you cut jeans to shorten them?

You want a quick fix for your long jeans, but you're worried that a simple cut will look sloppy or unprofessional. Is cutting them actually a good idea?

Yes, cutting jeans is a perfectly acceptable and often stylish way to shorten them. The result is a raw, frayed hem that is a very popular look in modern fashion.

For many jean styles, a raw hem³ is not just acceptable; it's a deliberate design choice. In my factory, we often get orders for jeans that are specifically designed to have a cut-off, frayed edge⁴.

It gives the jeans a casual, lived-in character. This works best for casual styles like straight-leg, wide-leg, or cropped flare jeans.

When you cut the denim, the horizontal threads (the weft) will start to come loose, while the vertical threads (the warp) stay in place.

After a wash and dry cycle, this creates a soft, natural-looking fringe. The key is to start with a very straight, clean cut.

A crooked cut will lead to an uneven, messy fray. So, while it's a simple technique, precision still matters.

For more formal or high-end jeans, especially those with a unique original hem like a selvedge or chain stitch, you might consider a professional tailor⁵ instead to preserve that detail.

But for a quick update or a casual style, cutting is a fantastic option.

Can jeans be altered to be shorter?

You know cutting is one option, but you're wondering what other methods exist. Can jeans be professionally altered, and how does that compare to doing it yourself at home?

Yes, jeans can easily be altered to be shorter, either by cutting them yourself for a raw hem or by taking them to a professional tailor for a clean, sewn finish.

There are two main paths for shortening your jeans, and the best one depends on the style of the jeans and the look you want to achieve. Each method has its own pros and cons.

Doing it yourself with scissors is fast, free, and gives you a trendy raw-edge look. This is perfect for casual jeans where you want a bit more personality.

Taking them to a professional tailor costs money and time, but it gives you a much cleaner and more durable result. A tailor can create a new hem that looks just like the original one.

They can even perform a more complex alteration where they cut off the original hem, shorten the leg, and then reattach the original factory hem.

This is a great choice for expensive designer jeans where you want to preserve the specific wear patterns and stitching of the original hemline.

Method	Cost	Time	Final Look	Best For
DIY Cutting (Scissors)	Free	~10 Minutes	Raw, Frayed Edge	Casual Styles, Quick Fixes
Professional Tailoring	$15 - $30	1-7 Days	Clean, Sewn Hem	Expensive Jeans, Formal Styles, Original Hems

What to do if your jeans are slightly too long?

Your jeans are only an inch or so too long. Cutting them seems too permanent and drastic. Are there any other less permanent options you can try first?

If your jeans are just slightly too long, simply cuffing or rolling them is the easiest and most stylish solution. This non-permanent fix allows you to adjust the length as needed.

Before you reach for the scissors, you have several great no-cut options. Cuffing is not just a practical solution; it's a major style element. The most basic option is the single cuff.

Just fold the hem up once, about one to two inches. This is a clean, classic look that works with almost any jean or shoe.

For a more substantial look, you can try a double cuff. Make a small initial fold, about half an inch, and then fold it up again.

This creates a thicker, more deliberate cuff. For tapered or skinny jeans, a "pinroll" is very popular.

This involves making a small vertical fold at the inseam to tighten the ankle opening before you roll the hem up.

This creates a very clean, tapered look that shows off your sneakers or shoes.

These methods are completely reversible and allow you to change the length of your jeans depending on the shoes you're wearing, giving you much more versatility than a permanent cut.

Conclusion

Yes, you can easily cut jeans with scissors. Just make sure to measure carefully before you cut to create a custom length and a style that is perfect for you.

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