This week I decided to try something new and attempt to bleach dye an old denim jacket that my old roommate gifted to me before she moved away; however, I hadn’t worn this jacket since she moved away in August. This is partially due to the fact that it’s been colder out, but mostly because I found the jacket to be too plain for my style preferences. With spring coming up, I decided it was time to give this jacket that has been sitting in my closet a new look, with the hopes that I would choose to wear it more!
Bleach art in fashion refers to a technique used to create unique designs or patterns on clothing, usually on fabrics such as cotton and denim. The bleach is applied intentionally, often with a paintbrush, to remove colour, resulting in a distressed and/or bleached effect. The designs range from subtle faded patterns to bold, high-contrast designs with splatters, stripes, or intricate freehand shapes. This process is often DIY. However, many brands have incorporated this style into their collections, adding a raw, edgy, or vintage look to their clothing. I particularly enjoy this style because I can often tell when someone has created a piece of bleached clothing themselves, which is normally unique and one-of-a-kind!
Denim Bleaching Step-By-Step:
- Step 1: Choose a design and map it out with chalk
- Step 2: Pour bleach into the cap and select an appropriate paintbrush size
- Step 3: Go over lines again until satisfied with the shade
- Step 3: Chalk stars on the sleeves so you can see the design from the front
- Step 4: Outline all the stars
- Step 5: Add finishing details! I bleached the pocket linings for balance
The Final Product:
While I still have to throw the jacket in the wash to get rid of the residual chalk outlines, this is essentially the final product! Overall, I am really happy with how this week’s upcycling project turned out. Bleach art is something I have wanted to try for years now but with all the other projects i’ve started it’s always fallen to the back of my list of priorities. This is a project anyone can do with items that are likely already in your house. All you really need is bleach, a paintbrush, and an old piece of clothing you never wear. Without having many materials for an extensive upcycling endeavor, I was pushed out of my comfort zone this week to work on a more creative upcycling project with freehand designs that align with my future goals as an educator.