Fun, Fashionable & Easy Summer-time DIYs and Inspirations

Summer’s all-time favorite outfit is a white shirt and denim shorts.  This classic look is great for any style.  Take it from a few of the celebs seen rocking this look, the devil is in the details.  Take some of our Do-It-Yourself tips and save some summer cash by shaking up your go-to summer look.  Tips, DIYs and more summer awesomeness when you continue reading.

Need a new pair of jean shorts for the summer?  Look no further than your own closet.  Dig out an old pair of jeans and create a cute cut off look in a matter of minutes.  All you’ll need is a pair of scissors and some tape.  First step is to try on the old jeans to make sure they fit.  While wearing them decide how short you want your shorts to be. Take the tape and, while still wearing the jeans, place it evenly over both legs as marker for how short you will cut. Next, slide the jeans off and cut underneath the tape marker laying the jeans flat so as to get the most accurate cut. Vuwalah!  Instant new jean shorts!

Fraying bottoms is not your only option when it comes to cutting your own jean shorts.  Add a little creativity to the bottom of your shorts by cutting out scallops.  Use the instructions above to cut off the excess jean.  Pull out some paper and trace a simple scallop design like the one shown.  Pin the paper to one side of the leg hole and cut along your outline.  After you finish cutting add a little FrayCheck to the hem to keep the jeans from fraying out. 

Get colorful this summer with tie dye.  Don’t be afraid to experiment a little with bright colors and designs on both your shirt and shorts.  

Give your tie dye shirt a little edge by only dying the bottom half a shirt a bright color.  Easy enough instructions: just dip bottom, remove, carefully wring ONLY the bottom and pin upright to dry.  Add a little something extra by sprinkling a little salt on the dyed portion whilst damp.

Tie dying isn’t just for shirts anymore.  Make your jean shorts pop with color by following some simple instructions.  

Lay your shorts down on a tarp or trash bag.  Using some old squeeze bottles mix the chosen dyes separately then get wild.  Squirt different designs all over the shorts making sure to cover every space.  After you finish one side, flip the shorts over and touch up the back. When the shorts are sufficiently dyed rinse them off in cold water and throw them in the washer.  Don’t throw anything else in the machine unless you want it to be dyed as well.  

If you want to go more the traditional route use only one color and wrap as many rubber bands on to the shorts as possible.  Dip the shorts in a bucket of dye rather than squirting it with bottled dye.  The length you leave the shorts submerged in dye is directly connected to how dark a shade you want the shorts to be.  So, a few minutes will give you only a light shade while an hour would give you a deep color.  After pulling your shorts from the dye bucket wring them out as best you can with the rubber bands still on.  Let them set for a few minutes then remove the rubber bands, rinse in a little cold water and send them through the washing machine.  End result will be cute fashionable shorts to mix up your wardrobe. 

Want to just turn your baby blues a shade lighter?  Bleaching is a great solution! Check out this cool photo instructional guide on how to achieve the perfect bleached shorts. 

Get tribal with your cut off jean shorts by adding some geometric designs to them.  Instead of balling up your jean shorts with rubber bands lay the bottom portion flat in bowl of bleach and water.  After the bleached portion of the shorts is as white as you can get; pull them out and let them dry flat.  Once dry use a black fabric marker to draw on some geometric shape designs.  

Not a fan of distressed jeans or tie dye?  Instead of running through all the hassles of dyes, rubber bands, and bowls of chemicals add small details to set your cutoff jeans a cut above the rest. 

Overlay some lace or different colored fabric to the back pockets of your new jeans for a stylish behind.  Separate the leg seam and tack on a little lace for a girly touch to your new jeans.  Take a gander at this picture perfect instructional guide.

Now that you have your bottoms the way you want them let’s talk about the white shirt.  We’ve got a few simple cuts that will take your white tee from blah to hoorah! 

It’s all about showing off your back this summer.  Get a little tan by making some slits in the back of a regular shirt and then clipping the material together for a diamond shaped back.  You can put as many or as few slits as you like to create your own personal look!

Emanate your inner hippie with another popular Do-It-Yourself trend this summer with fringe.  Convert your old tee into a hippie dream with some help from us. 

Start by laying out the t-shirt on a flat surface.  Trace an oblong shape on to the front; you want the front to be higher than the back.  Cut along the lower curve first.  Separate the front of the shirt from the back and cut along the upper curved line you traced before.   Take a strip of masking tape and mark how high you want the fringe to extend on the shirt.  Begin cutting even strips all the way around the shirt making sure to never cross the tape line.  End by cutting out the desired neckline and sleeve.  

Get creative with your fringe by tying some together to create a fishing net affect like the instructional guide here. 

Too much in love with your white tee and blue jeans to do them any harm?  Mix things up with some of our accessory ideas. 

Make your own braided bead necklace by following this great picture instruction guide. 

Go hard core with some heavy duty washers and ribbon to create this fun necklace or bracelet idea with this guide.

Looking for some more fun DIY projects to help your summer wardrobe?  Pick up some canvas sneakers and get wild with some of these fun ideas.  Grab a black sharpie and doodle some great designs on your shoes to give them a very carefree look.  You don’t have to stick to just black and white.  Use the colorful sharpie pens to add small pops of color for a one of a kind unique shoe.  Everyone will be jealous of your styling footwear.  

Not an artist per say?  Cut out a zigzag line on paper then trace in pencil to your sneakers.  Use your all your favorite markers to color in the lines for a fresh and fun new look. 

Are you girl wanting a springy vintage look? Try making your own saddle shoes.  Using some black fabric paint and a small paintbrush carefully paint in the top portion of your canvas sneakers for a swinging good time look.  

If you like the new grunge revival, change up your old chucks with some shiny studs.  Simply stop off at your local craft store and pick up some studs.  You can plan out a design or just place them willy nilly for a great summer time revival. 

For all those frugal fashionistas out there we hope these DIY summer projects inspire you to push the limits with your style.