How to personalise a denim jacket?

Do you have a denim jacket that you'd like to customise? Are you looking for some creative ideas to personalise it to match your style? And with some easy tutorials?

I'm here to help you.

As a fashion enthusiast, I've always loved making my clothes my own through personalization. Whether it's through embroidery, sewing, or simply tweaking a detail on an outfit, it's a way to define my own style.

That’s why today I’m sharing with you plenty of techniques and tips to customise a plain denim jacket, turning it into a piece that truly reflects your style.

To customise a denim jacket, you can embroider floral or abstract patterns using cotton threads. You can also replace the buttons or even cover certain panels with a funky fabric. Adding studs or even painting it is another option! All of these choices will make your garment unique and give it a new lease on life. Whether you are bohemian or rock 'n' roll, crafty or not, there is definitely a way to personalise your denim jacket that suits you!

Want to know more? Keep reading this article to discover:

• Why hippies decorated their denim jackets,
• What makes a customised garment special,
• A simple tutorial on how to embroider patterns onto your denim jacket,
• How to attach studs, buttons, or iron-on patches,
• Tips for painting on your denim jacket.

The customised denim jacket, a legacy of the hippies

Also known as denim, jeans are a fabric renowned for their durability and longevity. This is why, at the start of the 20th century, they were primarily seen as workwear for labourers. It wasn't until the 1960s in the USA that jeans began to be worn in everyday life. This shift is credited to the hippies, who reimagined jeans by customising them to express their ideals of freedom and their pacifist values. Denim garments, particularly jackets, were adorned with colourful patterns featuring floral designs, slogans, and abstract artwork. On their jackets, the hippies proudly showcased what made them unique.

This tradition was revived in the 1980s by bikers, who customised denim jackets with studs and patches to showcase their belonging to the community.

Today, with the resurgence of the bohemian trend, which draws inspiration from the hippie movement, there is a strong desire to personalise one's clothing. Intrigued by the idea? Now's the perfect time to give it a go!

Why Personalise Your Denim Jacket?

As we've mentioned, the denim jacket is a highly fashionable item that you can wear every day and pair with a variety of outfits.

👉 Wondering how to wear it in style? Check out our dedicated article, where you’ll find plenty of outfit ideas to suit all body shapes and preferences.

Customising your denim jacket allows you to make it your own:

• It becomes one-of-a-kind and unlike any other,
• This allows you to express your style, showcasing who you truly are,
• You can easily match it with the rest of your wardrobe,
• It transforms into an iconic piece in your wardrobe,
• It's a durable garment that you can enjoy for years to come!

4 Ideas to Personalise Your Denim Jacket

Want to make your clothing unique? In the following lines, you'll find several ideas to inspire you. It's up to you to find the one that suits you best!

Bohemian Style: How to Embroider on a Denim Jacket?

Embroidery is a delicate and elegant way to personalise your denim jacket. Embroidered designs are long-lasting and withstand washing. To showcase your bohemian side, you can adorn your jacket with colourful flowers and swirls.

Are you worried about not being able to sew? Of course, if you're a beginner, intricate designs might be a bit beyond your reach without some practice. However, it is completely possible, even if you have never used a needle before, to start creating simple and cute patterns.

I recommend sketching out your customisation project roughly, selecting your colours and details, before heading out to buy your embroidery threads and needles. After that, here’s how to proceed:

🔸 Wash your fabric thoroughly and set yourself up in a bright spot,

🔸 Start by stitching the centre of your designs, then work your way outwards. There are many simple embroidery stitches detailed in this video:

🔸 This other tutorial offers adorable and easy-to-make patterns:

🔸 You can also add some beads, charms, etc. to give your jacket some flair!

👉 Want to decorate your jacket with a complex design but don’t have the time or skills? There are also iron-on embroidery patches that you can buy online or at a craft store. Simply place the patch where you want it, and iron it on from the back. This way, you can easily personalise your jacket!

Edit the details of your jacket

Another way to personalise your clothing is to modify certain elements to make them unique.

In haberdasheries, whether online or in-store, you can find custom denim buttons. They can come in various colours and shapes... all you need to do is find what best suits your style. You'll just need a workbench, some pliers, and a mallet to remove the old button and replace it.

👉 If you'd prefer not to remove the fastenings from your jacket, you can also source some unique buttons to sew directly onto the fabric, just for a bit of flair.

Got a lovely fabric coupon? You can also sew it onto your jacket:

• across the back between the shoulders,
• on the sleeves,
• by creating sheer panels for an even more bohemian look!

For a grunge effect, go for studs!

Are you a fan of rock 'n' roll culture? Showcase your passion by embellishing your denim jacket with studs. You can find them in most haberdasheries and craft stores. They're fairly inexpensive and offer a simple way to personalise your clothing.

Fixing them is a breeze! Here’s a quick video that shows you how to do it:

To complete your look, once the studs are attached, you can add some badges or iron-on patches that display your beliefs, your favourite bands, or patterns that represent you!

Can you paint a denim jacket? If so, how?

Are you keen to design a pattern and paint it on your jacket? It's definitely possible: you just need to select a paint that is durable and can withstand washing. I recommend using acrylic paints and Posca-type markers, which allow for detailed designs. You can find these paints readily available at craft stores.

Once your jacket is cleaned, you can outline your designs using a chalk pen, then start painting from the centre.

Here’s an example:

👰 Attention future brides: personalised denim jackets have become quite the trend in recent years and provide the perfect solution for those looking for something to wear on their wedding day. They fit beautifully into modern, bohemian, or romantic ceremonies, and will serve as a keepsake to cherish afterwards! You can have an inscription that reflects the wedding, your name, the date of the day, and more…

Where to find a personalised denim jacket?

Don't have time to customise your jacket yourself? It can be tricky to find a decorated denim jacket in-store, but fortunately, there are specialist websites that offer such products.

So, I invite you to take a look at our collection of bohemian jackets, where you can find some of the styles featured in the illustrations on this site. You will also find on our website unique clothing to match with your jacket and achieve a one-of-a-kind style!

Tunics and blouses

I hope this guide has helped you discover how to customise your denim jacket. Feel free to share your ideas with me in the comments: I’m keen to hear them!

And for those who are looking to complete their denim look with a denim skirt, you can check out this blog post dedicated entirely to it right now!