DIY Color Blocked Pants

Color + block = the 2 words in fashion most commonly used this season. It was just a matter of time before we’d incorporate this much loved trend into a DIY. And thanks to Tommy Ton‘s color blocked pants, spotted at New York Fashion Week, we were finally inspired to give an old pair of chinos a much needed makeover!

You’ll need:

Depending on the length of the pants, measure 12-16 inches from the bottom hem to the calf. Use a long piece of masking tape to tape off one leg. Repeat the step on the other leg, aligning the two to ensure evenness. Squeeze 2 ounces of craft paint into the small tray.

Start painting, using generous amounts of paint. Be sure to get close to the edge of the masking tape for a straight line!

Once the legs have been painted, allow it to dry completely. Turn the pants inside out, tape off a section 6 – 8 inches from the bottom (depending on the fold of the cuff), and paint. Once everything is dry, peel away the tape from the inside and out.

Fold the bottom of pants twice into a cuff. (Side note: the Martha Stewart craft paint will not crack or peel but will may stiffen the fabric)

Ready, set . . . color-blocked!

(top image via StreetFSN, rest of images by HonestlyWTF)

Leave a Comment

99 Comments

  1. emerja wrote:

    I love it!!:)

    11.1.11
    Reply
  2. Aleksandra wrote:

    cool 🙂 I’ll try it

    11.1.11
    Reply
  3. I absolutely love this. Khaki pants with a little surprise at the bottom – a pretty pop of color. I’d love to see these in pink. So cute! =)
    Need it? Want it? Crave it? Satisfy Your Cravings For Celebrity Style and All Things Stylish and Sweet

    11.1.11
    Reply
  4. Lory wrote:

    i think those would look way better in pink.
    but its a very nice idea (:

    http://www.internal-storms.blogspot.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  5. I like the idea… maybe for the summer for me though.. Will look great then!

    http://www.noaslibellule.blogspot.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  6. J Umm wrote:

    the last picture is amazing!
    and your pants look even better than the original
    STYLE DECORUM

    11.1.11
    Reply
  7. Candy wrote:

    I wish I had your brains!!! You ladies keep coming up with the easiest & COOLEST DIYS!!!! Will definitely be making my own pair!!

    Candy
    http://www.tayloranddemolish.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  8. Dani wrote:

    this is beautiful!!!

    love your blog!

    kisses Dani

    You are always welcome to visit mine:
    http://www.mystylesmysmiles.blogspot.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  9. Tincy wrote:

    Awesome! I would love to try this on the weekend….

    11.1.11
    Reply
  10. Nomadic D wrote:

    Cute! Fun! Hooray! Makes me want to put them on and jump like the last photo!

    http://nomadic-d.blogspot.com/

    11.1.11
    Reply
  11. Emma wrote:

    This is so awesome and fun! I’m very inspired.

    11.1.11
    Reply
  12. Ambyr wrote:

    Oooh so bright! Love it.

    xoxo
    http://www.thewrittenrunway.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  13. Kaila wrote:

    This is GREAT!!

    New way to spruce up a pair of khakis!!

    xo
    http://cestclassique.blogspot.com/

    11.1.11
    Reply
  14. aimee wrote:

    No way what a cool idea im off to did out some chinos xxx

    11.1.11
    Reply
  15. Hmm, I love the idea – especially for chinos … but I’m not sure if I would do this. I think it’s just the color blue I don’t like – maybe green instead for me.

    11.1.11
    Reply
  16. Lia wrote:

    Holy cow these are awesome! You keep outdoing yourselves!
    xx
    Lia

    11.1.11
    Reply
  17. Super nice idea, but not something I would try myself. Nevertheless, thanks for sharing!!

    Charlotte
    http://www.thefashionguitar.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  18. Laura wrote:

    THIS IS JUST SO COOL. Do you know any website that sells that exact same paint?
    X

    11.1.11
    Reply
    • Erica wrote:

      @Laura, the paints are sold at Michael’s or there is a direct link to a site that sells it under the supply list. Good luck! xx

      11.1.11
  19. Nice idea! Chinos are too boring without colour blocking.

    11.1.11
    Reply
  20. Jen wrote:

    these are amazing, really want to try this! x

    11.1.11
    Reply
  21. Sahra wrote:

    wow those came out great!! and totally inspired to use that pant, it looks great! any word on the fade factor?

    XO Sahra
    EffortlessCool

    11.1.11
    Reply
  22. Julia wrote:

    I love this!! I feel like this would be a DIY fail for me… I may try it on a crappy ‘ole pair of pants though.

    11.1.11
    Reply
  23. WOW! You did an amazing job. Your picture is so cute of you leaping for joy lol

    xoxo
    FAKE EMPIRE
    http://www.shopfake.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  24. too cool – love!!!!

    11.1.11
    Reply
  25. Zane wrote:

    wow love this

    11.1.11
    Reply
  26. jayne wrote:

    These look great! Good DIY!!

    11.1.11
    Reply
  27. stephanie wrote:

    such a simple but awesome idea 😉 thanks for sharing this! x

    11.1.11
    Reply
  28. milkandjam wrote:

    love the 2 colors!

    11.1.11
    Reply
  29. Charlotte wrote:

    AHH! I love this! I think I have a new DIY project coming up. Thanks for the great idea.

    dressforclass.blogspot.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  30. cool ,,but i worried about the color will fade when i wash it !!!!
    http://www.coniefoxdress.com

    11.1.11
    Reply
  31. Sophie wrote:

    That is so cool; it needs to be tried!

    11.1.11
    Reply
  32. WOW awesome !! Great diy and the result looks better than the original!
    I’ve made a little “CELINE two tone shirt” diy project, and here is my result:
    http://123456789-smiling.blogspot.com/2011/11/twotone-shirt.html

    11.2.11
    Reply
  33. this turned out fantastic!!!

    xo
    agnes

    http://iiiinspired.blogspot.com/

    11.3.11
    Reply
  34. Kate G wrote:

    Dsquared 2010 Spring RTW had similar colour blocked pants but they did it with jeans and made them look plasticized, like goulashes. I did a similar diy look with neon pink spray paint which looked amazeballs but i tragically have no pictures…
    you can look at the whole show here http://www.style.com/fashionshows/review/S2010RTW-DSQUARE/

    and the pants im talking about can be seen here
    http://imgur.com/5NWDt

    11.7.11
    Reply
  35. grace wrote:

    LOVE this! I think i want to do this too!

    thanksgrace.blogspot.com

    11.11.11
    Reply
  36. Elizabeth Ann wrote:

    Do you think this kind of paint would work on a nylon-type fabric? I have one of those puffy down filled winter coats that is in great condition aside from being covered in the stains of three winter’s wear and tear (it’s white. it was bound to happen). I’d love to give it a new life by dyeing/painting it a rich chocolate brown. Do you think this would work?

    11.12.11
    Reply
  37. elena wrote:

    Demasiado para mi. Pero la foto esta genial

    11.12.11
    Reply
  38. kiki wrote:

    can you wash them without ruining them?

    11.12.11
    Reply
  39. Milton wrote:

    This is so cool! I’m definitely trying it! – Milton

    12.6.11
    Reply
  40. you look amazing 🙂

    2.13.12
    Reply
  41. Lala Rot wrote:

    If you love this, you will certaily love my Tumblr!

    lalarot.tumblr.com

    2.20.12
    Reply
  42. Alex wrote:

    Has anyone washed these? Does the color stay? I painted mine, and now I’m afraid about washing–I used apple barrel craft paint.

    3.6.12
    Reply
  43. Kathryn wrote:

    When i paint t-shirts and things of that nature the pain makes the clothing really still and uncomfortable to wear. is this paint any better? I don’t want to paint the pants and then them be unwearable. thanks!

    5.16.12
    Reply
  44. Ariel wrote:

    any brand of acrylic paint will fade in about 3 washes. I had an amazing design painted on a pair of shorts and now its just a few awkward swirls left… which is because those were painted using fabric paint. its WAY more expensive but they also sell it at michaels. maybe online could be cheaper… you can get spray on tulip fabric paint at walmart for cheap and dip a brush in it… i havent tried it though, i cant guarantee the colors will look good. but definitely acrylic paint does fade/completely wash out! 🙁 🙁 super cute pants tho!

    6.15.12
    Reply
  45. Ani wrote:

    http://www.creativejewishmom.com/2010/12/using-acrylic-paint-as-fabric-paint-.html this post talks about painting with acrylic on fabric and also covers the oh so important need for adding a fabric medium. I’ve had good luck when doing t-shirts but you will definitely see some fade. If you want it to stay super bright I would go cold wash separately and hang dry.

    10.2.12
    Reply
  46. Laura wrote:

    So is there any way to make these washable after painting them?

    11.4.12
    Reply
  47. Serena wrote:

    That is awesome!!! will it stay on if I put it in the wash?

    2.3.13
    Reply
  48. KTZ Shoes wrote:

    Nice style, I would try it with pink instead of blue.

    12.21.13
    Reply
  49. MD wrote:

    Easy, effective and looks amazing. You may also discover here for such amazing idea;
    http://www.thestyleworld.com/

    8.19.14
    Reply
  50. Nora wrote:

    Lol! I think spray will also applicable.

    7.26.15
    Reply
  51. Air wrote:

    Hahaha! These are super cool – the martha paint looks so professional too.

    8.31.15
    Reply
  52. Turn Neon wrote:

    Nice color combination. Great DIY idea. Thank for sharing it with us. I’m gotta try this.

    12.18.15
    Reply
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    7.30.17
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  54. Ryan Erwin wrote:

    Very cool …I love it

    1.21.21
    Reply
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    11.25.21
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