The drop-hem jeans trend remains popular: a visible darker denim band appears below the original hem, a look made famous by designers such as Rachel Comey. The good news is you can recreate that style at home using a pair of jeans you already own.
The technique is very simple and requires just one essential tool:
…a seam ripper. That’s basically it.
Inspiration: a range of drop-hem looks and ready-made versions that show how the layered hem can change proportions—from cropped and wide-leg to relaxed skinny styles.
Which jeans are best for this DIY? Technically, many types of pants will work, but for a clear contrast like the examples above you’ll get the best result with true denim where the inner side of the hem is noticeably darker or a different wash. A slightly lighter-weight, unstretch denim can also give a crisp, visible line once the outer hem is removed.
How to DIY Drop-Hem Jeans
1. Choose your pair of jeans and inspect the inside of the bottom hem to check whether the inner fabric or fold is a different shade or texture from the exterior. If there’s enough contrast, proceed.
2. Using a seam ripper, carefully unpick a few stitches of the bottom hem and pull the fabric back to preview how the inner denim will look once exposed. Work a little at a time rather than ripping the entire seam at once—this helps you confirm the effect before fully committing.
3. If the revealed inner edge matches the look you want, continue removing the remaining stitches around the hem on both legs. Once the stitching is gone, gently unravel any folded material or frayed threads to expose the inside band evenly.
4. After unpicking and cleaning up the raw edge, you can leave the jeans as they are for a raw, deconstructed finish, or trim and neaten the exposed area if you prefer a subtler look. Some people press the exposed band to flatten it slightly or trim loose threads for a cleaner appearance.
Photography: Amelia Lawrence // Model: Emma Spear
Final thoughts
This is a quick, low-cost way to refresh old denim and achieve a trendy, layered hem effect without buying a new pair. The results depend on the denim you start with, so try this on a pair you don’t mind altering and proceed slowly when unpicking stitches. Experiment with different jean styles—wide legs, crops, or relaxed skinnies—to see how the drop hem changes the look and proportions.
Do you prefer the after look or the original hem? Give it a try and see how a small alteration can make your jeans feel new.