I’ve had this pair of slacks for years, decades maybe. I kept them because they were comfortable, but I never liked the way they looked on me. Maybe back in the early 2000’s, the style was suitable, but now… well, it’s just frumpy. And I looked dumpy in them. Perhaps even lumpy. Haha… I’m such a nerd.
Do not even talk to me about the top! I know that is just as frumpy as the khakis. I’ll be saving that for another refashioned post, when I, er, get around to fixing it up.
Since I am not an expert seamstress, and a lazy one at that, I used a pair of good form fitting jeans as a template. I used this same technique for my refashioned tweed skirt.
I traced the jeans with chalk and then pinned. (Oh my God! Look at all that extra fabric!)
I started my stitches at the existing seam so that the new fit would be seamless and wouldn’t have to take any stitches out to start over. I tried on the slacks before cutting. I determined I liked the fit, so I removed the pants and cut about a half inch away from the new stitches with pinking shears. Pinking shears are excellent for someone who doesn’t have a serger, like me. And who doesn’t want to do more sewing than necessary, like me.
And here are the new khakis! Pretty awesome, huh? Should I have ironed the slacks before photographing them? Maybe.
Just chillin’ with a fedora and some loafers. Not sure if this look is right for me. So I tried something else…
I took them out in the rain with my spicy pink rain boots.
Unfortunately, there weren’t enough puddles for me to jump in, so I drew in my own.
Frumpy to awesome khakis…. who agrees?
Total time: Only half an hour! (Remember I am inexperienced!)
Total cost: Nothing!
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Redesigned By M 
cushy life
/ June 5, 2013thanks for stopping by my blog. Love your redesigns, there is a reason for keeping all that stuff at the back of the wardrobe that one day I will turn into something amazing!
Redesigned By M
/ June 5, 2013Exactly! It’s just a whole lot of fun too, to see your clothes in a different way. Thanks for returning the blog love! ~M.
Shelli@howsitgoingeh?
/ June 5, 2013Cute!!! Nice work – repurposing garments is smart! Second chances!
Creatively Motivated
/ June 5, 2013Good job! And it is funny I see this post today because I have a pair of khakis that I’m planning to repurpose. They are way too big in both the legs and the waist. I’ve just been moving them from room to room angry that the magic fairy hasn’t completed them yet. -Nizzy
Redesigned By M
/ June 5, 2013Thank you! Hope to fix up a few other “delightful” pieces in my closet. ~M.
Redesigned By M
/ June 5, 2013Yeah, that’s what happened to this pair for the longest time. I’m so glad I finally redesigned them because I love them so much more now. Thanks for stopping by! ~M.
Kayleigh | Notes of Inspires
/ June 6, 2013They look fabulous! Your redesigning is always spot on!
http://notesofinspires.wordpress.com
Redesigned By M
/ June 6, 2013Awww! What a wonderful compliment! Thank you!! ~M.
trendybelleblog
/ June 8, 2013You are too cute!! What a clever idea!
Michele 🙂
http://trendybelleblog.wordpress.com/
Redesigned By M
/ June 8, 2013Thank you, darling! ~M.
saltymom
/ June 11, 2013I do that template trick too ! Love that photo with the raindrops, super cute !
Redesigned By M
/ June 11, 2013Thank you! That’s my favorite photo too! I’m a bit miffed that I haven’t gotten more comments on it. Haha =) ~M.
curlycrafter
/ July 17, 2013Hi! I really enjoy your tutorials! And tis is just so clever for the pants you want to throw away but can’t! Now they’re really wearable
Redesigned By M
/ July 19, 2013They truly are! Sometimes I think back on all the other articles of clothing I gave away before I knew how to refashion them. Le sigh…
curlycrafter
/ July 20, 2013I know right! Redesign is like a whole new (totally awesome) world opening up!