ugh, i haven't posted a diy in some time. wow, last christmas? what have i been doing with my life? anyways. i'm all for these small mom and pop shops/etsy's that are super stoked on their destruction skills as well as vintage tee finds... and trust me i want them all. but damn their prices are a little shell shocking sometimes. can i get an amen? like $90 for some bleach and a cotton tee. let's be realistic, especially if you can get the look yourself. i get asked constantly how i destruct my tees- so i thought i'd let you in on one of my best kept secrets.
if you have no idea what i'm talking about peep below.
if you have no idea what i'm talking about peep below.
obsessed right? okay- let's get you the look. you'll need the items listed below:
- oversized, cotton, tee (dark colors will work best.). try to go at least a full size big because during the dye and wash process the tee's seem to shrink. my favorite tee finds are definitely at flea markets. you can find some rad vintage band and harley davidson tees for $5/$10. even yet- look into your closet and find a tee that maybe you've shoved to the back and haven't worn in months. ps: old navy had some rad collectible tees that i recently snagged up for less than $10 each. pink floyd and a budweiser for $6 count me in.
- a gallon of bleach. usually a gallon is cheaper, and you can re-use in the future! can buy the cheap kind! bleach is bleach.
- a bag of rubber bands that vary in size. thin-thick. this provides variation in the coloring.
- a large plastic or metal bowl. big enough that you are able to submerge the tee in full.
- safety pins. (OPTIONAL.) used to mark the tee where you would like to destruct.
- sand paper. (OPTIONAL.) the sand paper enables you to destruct with holes and thinning of the tee if that is the look you're going for.
- liquid fabric softener. (OPTIONAL.) i suggest to use it because the bleach can cause the tee to become a little stiff, but if you wash with the fabric softener it will help tremendously!
directions:
- start with your dry tee. pinch and bundle little areas and wrap with rubber-bands. the more rubber-bands used, the more versatile and change in color. you can use anywhere from 6-12 rubber bands.
- after bundling your tee, fill your bowl or bucket with cold water. pour bleach into bucket. add a good amount- about 4 cups.
- submerge tee- and let soak for 5-10 minutes.
- after you can tell the color has changed, and you feel as if there is enough bleach coloration on the tee- remove.
- carefully remove rubber bands, and rinse tee with more cold water.
- at this point- wash the tee with fabric softener, and little detergent.
- do not dry in drying machine- hang dry.
- after the tee is dried, you can now begin to destruct.
- i suggest putting on the tee, and using safety pins where you would like to create holes.
- remove the tee, use your sand paper to start to create the holes. sand the tee just as if you were to sand some wood. put little holes/rips around the neckline and seams of the sleeves. lightly pull at the holes to create the destructed look, and stretch the holes.
- at that point- destruct until happy! hope you enjoy! hashtag #liveindiansummer if you post on social media so i can see your creations!