WHAT TO DO WITH OLD DENIM & HOW TO REPURPOSE IT

KEY TAKEAWAYS:

• • Millions of denim products go to waste every year and end up in landfills, with many people holding onto a pair of jeans for an average of one to two years.
• • Upcycling your old denim allows you to create intriguing, one-of-a-kind pieces and reduces CO2 emissions, water usage, and energy consumption.
• • Use rigid, structured denim to create patchwork jeans and outwear, denim vests, bags, accessories, jewelry, and more.
• • Reduce denim waste by purchasing long-lasting, high-quality denim from True Religion that lasts years.

When’s the last time you checked on those old, worn-out jeans that have been collecting dust in the corner of your closet?

If you are stuck with old denim, you have a few options, but dumping it in the trash can is not the way to go. Donate if it’s in good condition or bring it to a local textile business. Or, if you have a keen eye for fashion design and sustainability, upcycle it!

There are so many creative ways to upcycle denim. Stick around with True Religion to learn how to repurpose jeans and old denim to craft standout designs that are truly yours.

THE PROBLEM WITH DENIM WASTE

Every year, there are about 3.6 billion pairs of jeans manufactured globally.¹

Approximately each pair weighs 600 g, which is equivalent to 2.16 million metric tons of denim.

The average person will wear their jeans for about a year or two, then toss them. Most of these are low-quality, mass-produced jeans.

You don’t need to do the full math to recognize how much waste this creates—over millions of denim jeans are going to waste annually, with little of it being recycled or upcycled.

So, where does your old denim end up when you toss it as municipal waste? You guessed it: landfills. And once denim ends up in a landfill, it becomes wet and dirty, making it impossible to upcycle and creating a missed opportunity for idiosyncratic creations.

WHY UPCYCLE YOUR DENIM?

Now that you’ve gotten to know yourself a little bit more, it’s time to dress to stun. Here’s how to dress as a plus-size woman, according to your shape:

Similar to repurposing, upcycling is the process of taking usable, old pieces of material and using them to create something of higher quality or value. Think of sewing a patch onto a quilt; it’s the same concept.

Upcycling approximately a kilogram, or 2.2 pounds, of denim saves 6.5 kg of CO2 emissions, over 100 MJ of energy, and more than 7000 liters of water.1

Denim is also an excellent material for upcycling due to its accessibility, durability, longevity, and versatility. Plus, by upcycling, you’ll create pieces that nobody on the planet has—which you can sport yourself or kickstart your small fashion shop.

WHAT TO KNOW BEFORE UPCYCLING YOUR DENIM

Before we discuss the things you can create with old denim, you need to determine whether it’s usable.

• • Consider the structure. Denim made with high levels of stretch and materials like elastane can make upcycling more difficult due to its structure. Choose denim that’s more rigid and doesn’t have stretch.
• • Don’t toss the rest. Hold on to your buttons, zippers, and other details and accents. You can use these later.
• • Get creative with jean pockets. These can be sewn on shirts, used in bags, and more!

CREATIVE WAYS TO REPURPOSE YOUR DENIM

Now, onto the goods: here are some great ideas for creating with worn-out denim.

DENIM TOTE AND HANDBAGS

Take your old jeans and transform them into a handy tote bag or cross-body bag. Use the straps from seams or waistbands to make handles, the pockets for smaller sections of the bag, and the buttons for closures.

PATCHWORK OUTWEAR AND JEANS

Snip pieces of denim and other materials to curate patchwork designs, from jeans to workwear jackets, and sew them onto your old pieces.

CUT-OFF SHORTS

Rehabilitate your old jeans into bold cut-off shorts. For an edgy look, use fraying shears for the hem.

SHREDDED DENIM VEST

Cut your oversized jeans or old denim jacket into a vest, creating fraying along armholes and shoulders. Experiment with lace and other printed fabrics under shredded areas, or add decorative patches and embroideries.

DLIDES (DENIM SLIDES)

If you have old soles or flip-flops, upcycle your denim to make “dlides,” our new term for denim slides. Cut denim straps and secure them to the soles. These are perfect for a beach vacation, or for quick runs to the store.

HAIR ACCESSORIES

Twist your denim straps into a headband or use scraps to create a scrunchie for a true Y2K appearance.

JEWELERY

Upcycle your denim by using small denim pieces to create earrings, necklaces, or bracelets. Embellish with stitching, beads, and other accents for wearable art.

ANOTHER SOLUTION TO DENIM WASTE: BUY BETTER JEANS

Upcycling is one of the best things you can do with your old jeans, but change also begins with the consumer. Choose denim brands that are reliable, high-quality, and known to last. Shop True Religion.

Source:

1. Recovery and recycling of denim waste. Woodhead Publishing Series in Textiles. https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/abs/pii/B9780857098436000184. Accessed 08/06/2025.