The short answer: Ripped jeans look best when everything else in the outfit is clean and simple: a fitted top, one statement shoe, and a fit that hugs your waist. Distressed areas can open up a little over time, mostly because of hot washes, rough cycles and tumble dryers. Wash them less, wash cold (max 30°C / 86°F) and inside out, skip the softener, never tumble dry, and the rips stay the way they were designed.
Ripped jeans are one of those pieces that never really leave. Knee rips, frayed hems, ripped shorts with a lived-in wash. They make even a plain tee look like you thought about it.
They also come with questions. Will the holes keep getting bigger? How do you wash them? And is that new hole on the inner thigh "part of the look" or a problem? Here's everything we tell our 450,000+ community about wearing and caring for distressed denim.
What ripped jeans does FITJEANS make?
Our ripped styles use the same fits as the rest of the range, so the waist still fits the way you expect. The rips are a design detail, not a different cut.
| Style | Colours | Fit | Sizes by |
|---|---|---|---|
| Flared Ripped | Arctic Light Blue, Sapphire Blue | High waisted, flared leg | Waist |
| Baggy Ripped | Vintage Blue, 80s Blue | High waisted, relaxed through the leg | Waist |
| Ripped Shorts | Black, Grey, Vintage Blue, 80s Blue, Arctic Light Blue | Short shorts | Waist |
| Pastel Ripped Shorts | White, Sand, Khaki | Short shorts | Waist (Pastel, see sizing below) |
Availability changes by market and by size. If your size is sold out, use the back-in-stock alert on the product page. Our 80s Blue gets a special wash during production, so each pair looks a little different from the photo.
Shop the full edit in ripped jeans, baggy ripped jeans and ripped jean shorts.
How do you style ripped jeans without looking messy?
The rule is balance. Distressed denim already brings texture and attitude, so let the rest of the outfit be calm.
| Look | Ripped piece | Pair with | Shoes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everyday | Baggy Ripped | Fitted tee or tank tucked in | Chunky sneakers |
| Dressed up | Flared Ripped in Sapphire Blue | Bodysuit or fine knit, blazer | Heeled boots or platforms |
| Weekend | Flared Ripped in Arctic Light Blue | Oversized shirt, half tucked | Loafers or clean trainers |
| Summer | Ripped Shorts | Linen shirt or cropped top | Sandals or slides |
| Holiday | Pastel Ripped Shorts in White | Tonal knit or bikini top | Flat sandals |
| Winter | Flared or Baggy Ripped | Chunky knit, long coat | Boots, with tights underneath if it's cold |
A few tips that work every time:
- Show your waist. A tucked top keeps the outfit looking intentional, especially with Baggy.
- One busy item. If the jeans are ripped, skip the graphic top and the distressed jacket.
- Darker wash, smarter look. Sapphire Blue with rips reads more polished than a light wash.
- Mind the hem. Flared Ripped should almost reach the floor with your shoes on. Baggy should break softly over your shoe.
For more outfit ideas by fit, see How to Style Flared Jeans and How to Style Baggy Jeans.
Do ripped jeans rip more over time?
They can, a little. A rip is an area where the denim has been opened on purpose, so the threads at the edges are loose. Friction, stretching and rough washing can make those edges fray and travel. Normal wear gives a softer, more lived-in look. Heat and harsh cycles speed it up.
What makes rips grow faster:
- Tumble drying. Heat and the spinning drum pull at loose threads, and heat also damages the stretch in the fabric.
- Hot washes and long, fast cycles. More agitation means more fraying.
- Pulling at loose threads. It's tempting. It makes the hole bigger.
- Catching. Rings, zips, Velcro and bag straps snag the edges.
If a rip spreads more than you'd like, an iron-on patch on the inside of the leg or a few hand stitches at each end of the rip will stop it travelling.
How do you wash ripped jeans?
Gently. Same rules as all FITJEANS, with a little extra care:
- Wash only when they need it. Air them out between wears.
- Turn them inside out. This protects the rips and the colour.
- Wash cold, max 30°C / 86°F, on a gentle cycle. A laundry bag helps protect the rips.
- Use a mild detergent and no fabric softener.
- Never tumble dry. Air dry flat or hang by the waistband.
- Smooth the rips flat while damp so the threads dry in place.
Our Denim Care Guide covers the full routine, and Do Stretch Jeans Lose Their Shape? explains why heat is so hard on stretch denim.
Is a hole in the inner thigh a design rip?
No. Our rips are placed on purpose and you can see them in the product photos. A hole that appears on its own, especially on the inner thigh where your legs rub together, comes from friction or a fault in the fabric.
If that happens to a pair of FITJEANS, email help@fitjeans.com. Send photos in natural light (full front and back shots plus a close-up), and tell us how you've washed them. Our team will take a look.
How do I size ripped jeans?
Exactly like the non-ripped version of the same style. The rips don't change the pattern.
- Flared Ripped: use the flared size guide. Size by your waist and measure length from the crotch to the heel.
- Baggy Ripped: use the baggy size guide. Waist first, then crotch to heel.
- Ripped Shorts: use the shorts size guide and size by your waist.
- Between sizes? Size up in black (like Ripped Shorts in Black), because black fabric is always stiffer. Size down in the lightest washes, which are softer. Pastel is different, so for Pastel Ripped Shorts check the size guide or email help@fitjeans.com.
Our ripped styles currently come in one length. If you need Petite or Tall, see our petite and tall jeans.
Can I return ripped jeans?
Yes. Ripped styles follow the same returns policy as everything else. You have 30 days from delivery, and the item must be unworn and unwashed with the tags attached. Register your return through the right portal: PostCo for the EU and the rest of the world, Bring for Norway, and Loop for the US. Start on our returns page.
Design rips aren't a fault, so check the photos and choose the look you love before you order.
FAQ
Do ripped jeans rip more over time?
They can fray a little at the edges with wear, which softens the look. Hot washes, rough cycles and tumble drying make rips grow faster. Wash cold, inside out and gently, and always air dry.
How do you wash ripped jeans without ruining them?
Turn them inside out, wash cold (max 30°C / 86°F) on a gentle cycle, use a mild detergent without softener, and air dry flat. A laundry bag gives the rips extra protection.
Can I stop a rip from getting bigger?
Yes. Don't pull loose threads. An iron-on patch on the inside of the leg, or a few hand stitches at each end of the rip, stops it travelling.
Is a hole in the inner thigh a design feature?
No. Design rips are placed on purpose and shown in the product photos. A new hole on the inner thigh comes from friction or a fault. Email help@fitjeans.com with photos and your washing routine.
Should I size up in ripped jeans?
No. Size ripped jeans like the non-ripped version of the same style. If you're between sizes, size up in black and size down in the lightest washes. Pastel has its own guidance.
Can I return ripped jeans?
Yes, within 30 days from delivery, unworn and unwashed with the tags on. Use PostCo for the EU and the rest of the world, Bring for Norway, or Loop for the US.
Rips on the outside, a perfect fit underneath. Shop our ripped jeans and ripped shorts, sized by your waist with no waist gap. New here? Sign up to our newsletter for 10% off your first order.