Guide · Jeans
Shortening jeans without losing the factory look
Updated: September 2026
2 min read
Jeans too long but too good to throw out? The challenge with denim is keeping the character — the original hem, the contrast topstitching, the faded edge. A workshop that knows denim shortens the leg and reattaches the original hem so the jeans look like they left the factory at your height.
- Original hem is detached and reattached — factory look preserved (from €16 instead of from €12)
- Contrast stitching and thread colour matched to existing seams
- Wash jeans first — denim can shrink
- Raw hem available as an alternative style
- No appointment needed — hem style discussed on the spot
Contents
Prices and process at a glance:
Why jeans need their own approach
Denim is its own craft: contrast topstitching, a heavy original hem and that faded edge are exactly what makes jeans look like jeans. This guide is about keeping that character. For standard hemming prices and turnaround, see our "Shortening trousers" guide.
What to settle before the work starts
Agree on these upfront and there's no gap between what you pictured and what you take home.
- 01
Set the length standing, in your shoes
Try the jeans on with the shoes you'll mostly wear them with and mark the length standing up; a second person keeps the mark level.
- 02
Give the exact centimetres
Measure how many centimetres should come off and state that number, so there's no misunderstanding about the final length.
- 03
Keep the original hem (factory look)
Ask whether the original hem can be kept; the hem is detached, the leg shortened and the original hem reattached so the jeans look like they came from the factory.
- 04
Match thread colour and weight
Quality denim often uses contrast topstitching in a thicker thread (ochre is common); agree the colour and weight up front.
- 05
Mind the proportions if a lot comes off
If several centimetres come off, it can be worth slightly adjusting the leg width too, so the silhouette stays balanced.
- 06
Choose the hem style
Decide between a clean turned hem, a fixed cuff or a deliberate raw hem — each needs a different technique.
- 07
Don't cut them yourself if the look matters
Straight cuts and a durable hem on thick denim are hard by hand; a workshop uses denim needles, matching thread and a machine for lasting seams.
One more thing
Wash and dry the jeans as you normally would before bringing them in — denim can shrink, and that changes the final length.
More guides
Shortening trousers — guide and prices
Jeans from €12, suit trousers or chinos from €15. Usually one to three working days. Original hem (jeans) from €16. Workshop at Baumschulenstraße 36 in Berlin-Treptow, plus workshops in Bernau, Strausberg and Tangermünde.
Updated: September 2026Read more
Repair or replace a zip?
Is the slider stuck or are teeth missing? Sometimes a repair is enough, sometimes the whole zip has to come out. Replacement from €20 (trousers), €25 (dress/skirt), €30 (jacket/coat), usually in 1–3 working days. If it jams just before an event, a same-day fix is often possible.
Updated: September 2026Read more
Taking clothes in to fit
Shirt, dress, trousers or jacket too wide? We take it in at the side seams, waist and sleeves so it fits instead of hanging loose. Waistband from €20, larger adjustments on request. Usually one to three working days.
Updated: September 2026Read more
Common questions about shortening jeans
Can you keep the original hem on jeans?
Yes — we detach the original hem, shorten the leg and reattach the original hem so the jeans keep their factory look. A standard hem is from €12; keeping the original hem is from €16.
What is a raw hem?
A deliberately open, lightly fraying edge instead of a turned hem; it is a style choice that needs a different finishing technique.
Should I wash my jeans first?
Yes, ideally wash and dry them as you normally would first, since denim can shrink and that affects the final length.
How is the thread colour matched on contrast stitching?
Quality denim often has contrast topstitching in a heavier thread — we match colour and weight to the existing stitching so the shortening doesn't show.
Do proportions need adjusting if a lot comes off?
Yes, if several centimetres are removed it can help to adjust the leg width slightly too, so the silhouette stays balanced.
Do I need an appointment?
No — just come in, we measure standing in your shoes and discuss the hem style on the spot.
Ready? Stop by.