5 ways to cut an old T-shirt that will completely transform it (promise you'll love!)

Picture this: You're cleaning out your closet and you come across that stack of T-shirts you would love to wear but they just don't fit quite right. (In case you couldn't tell, this was me recently.) You might say you'll take them to a tailor and get them properly hemmed or taken in, but when is that really going to happen? In an effort to wear more of your cool band tees, oversized shirts, or graphic tops, this is your sign to finally pick up that pair of scissors and just have at it! There's nothing too bad that can happen, and the best-case scenario is that you'll actually get use out of your old T-shirts while sharpening your DIY skills.

To test my cutting abilities, I started with some secondhand shirts, and now I'm confident enough to start cutting up my actual clothes. But, I will say, the results turned out so cute that I've now added them into my rotation. Plus, cut-up graphic tees just give that nonchalant look. Wear 'em with jean shorts or to complete your cargo pant outfits. I tested out five different styles: a V-neck cut, a one-shoulder cut, a cropped cut, a sleeveless cut, and an overall distressed cut for some variety, but you can also go for it with the scissors to create any other styles that speak to you.

If your top is slightly long, you can always tie your T-shirt in different knots, but sometimes you just wanna go all in and start chopping fabric off. I feel that. I also feel ya if you're here to just be inspired and you rather wear your tee as is (or shop new ones). If that's the case, check out these editor-approved white tees and black t-shirts with all the rave reviews. Also, here are the best t-shirt bras (something we'll all need no matter what category we fall in). Okay, now onto the very simple items you'll need to begin your DIY project.

What you'll need

• A pair of very sharp scissors. I used hair-cutting scissors, but you can also get fabric scissors to make sure each cut is precise and goes all the way through the fabric on the first try.
   
• A pen or washable chalk. These can help make light marks on your clothing before you start cutting to ensure your lines are even. Or if you feel comfortable eyeballing it, more power to you!
   
• ​​Keep scrolling for five different ways to cut your T-shirt…or to make fun of my very mediocre DIY abilities, it’s okay.

The V-Neck cut

Apparently, this is the way the ~cool~ kids do a V-neck now. For this style, you’ll leave the trim on the collar and start making your cuts underneath so it gives that choker effect. You can always opt to make the cuts wider or deeper depending on how low you want to go.

Turn shirt inside out and lay on a flat surface. Make sure the front is facing up.

Take a pen to mark the middle of the collar or eyeball it, and make a horizontal cut right underneath.

Keep cutting until you get to your desired width and everything is symmetrical, then cut vertically down.

Next, cut diagonally from the ends of the horizontal cuts to the bottom of the vertical line. If you did everything right, you should end up with a little triangle under your crew collar.

Now, flip the shirt around again so you can see where it hits. Feel free to widen or deepen the hole to your preference.

Stretch out the sides you cut so the fabric smooths out.

The cropped cut

This is a classic and such an easy fix for pretty much any T-shirt you need to shorten, either by a little or a LOT. You can make it as cropped as you want!

Lay shirt on a flat surface and smooth it out completely.

Measure out where you want the new hem to hit. I tried on this shirt beforehand, so I knew I wanted to cut it a couple of inches underneath the graphic.

Take a measuring tape and use a pen to mark on each side so you know you’re cutting it straight.

Start cutting on one side and make sure you’re in line with your other mark.
Once cut off, stretch out the new hem with your fingers to give it a more worn-in effect.

Optional: If your sleeves are bulky too, consider cutting off the trim on them as well to slightly shorten them.

The one-shoulder cut

A simple cut that gives any shirt more edge with an asymmetrical look. If you want it to be even, just repeat the steps on the other side for a cold-shoulder style. It’s really that simple.

Turn your shirt inside out with the front facing up and lay on a flat surface.

Pick one side, then start a vertical cut parallel to the collar through both the front and back fabric.

Continue about two inches around the collar, then cut diagonally to the corner of the sleeve, forming a triangle.

Flip the one shoulder over to the back, and there will be one uncut piece by the collar. Trim this part following the curve of your previous cut up to where the collar begins and then snip it off in a triangle shape.

Stretch out the fabric so it looks more worn-in.

Optional: Repeat these steps on the other side for a cold-shoulder look.

The sleeveless cut

The same method as the cropped cut but sans sleeves. (Pretty self-explanatory, but you never know.) You can also wear a cute bralette underneath if the sleeveless area dips down a little lower on each side.

Lay shirt on a flat surface and smooth out completely.

Cut across where you want the new hem to hit.

Then taking one sleeve, cut horizontally and stop at the shoulder seam.

Following the same seam but still leaving it on, cut downward until you hit the armpit.

Flip the sleeve over and continue cutting parallel along the seam until the entire sleeve comes off.

Repeat on the other side.

Stretch out any areas you cut to smooth out the edges.

The overall distressed cut with cap sleeves

Okay, so there’s kind of a lot going on with this one (and maybe it’s not my best work, whatever), but you get the gist—and you can probably do it better yourself. Capped sleeves are easy to create with simple diagonal lines, and then you can get creative and start making cuts at the neckline, sides, and/or the bottom for an extra holey look.

Lay shirt on a flat surface.

By the armpit of one sleeve, use your scissors to cut a diagonal line to the right, going through both the front and back of the fabric.

Once the piece comes off, line it up with the sleeve on the other side, so you can make sure they’ll be pretty symmetrical. Follow the pattern with your scissors to cap the other sleeve.

To make the generally distressed areas, cut lines—they can be any length—wherever you want these details to appear. After cutting, stretch them out with your fingers to widen them and don’t be afraid to really pull. (My cuts turned out more like holes than distressed details, so I think this pulling part was where I made my mistake, tbh.)

Optional: Crop the shirt in the same way described above.

Lead image credit: Getty Images/Edward Berthelot

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