How to Tight Roll Jeans

Before the decadent and lovingly tacky '80s gave way to the Grunge Era, heavy flannel and baggy pants, high schoolers were listening to Fine Young Cannibals while tight-rolling their jeans before class. Children of the '80s remember hair bands, Brit pop, John Hughes and suffocating cuffs. Hipsters of today yearn for the look as bulky high tops jump back into underground fashion. For the children of yore, here's your shot of nostalgia. For the fashion-forward of now, here's your education.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Bad denim (preferably Jordache or Guess)
• Dexterity

1. Buy ugly jeans. Almost any jeans will do, but if they aren't ugly, they aren't authentic. Acid-washed jeans are best. Avoid boot-cuts, although it can be done.

2. Pinch the cuff. Pull the bottom cuff of the jeans tight around your ankle, so the back of the seam is taut against the Achilles tendon. Some slack in the fabric will be left in the front of the pant leg. Pinch the slack at its base, near the front of the ankle. Half of the cuff should now be tight around the ankle, while the other half is loose and free to work with.

3. Press the slack flat. Without releasing the pinch, fold the slack down and press it flat against the ankle. Using your index finger, hold the fold in place. Use your thumb to hold the end of the slack down. The cuff should be completely wrapped and continue to feel as tight as it did when you first pinched it off.

4. Roll it. With both hands, on each side of the pant leg, squeeze your fingers just inside the seam and your thumb above it. One of your hands should be holding the fold in place while rolling. Maneuver the other hand around the inside of the cuff as you roll, so it's even. A minimum of two rolls up the leg is needed to hold the tight roll in place. Three rolls, and you might as well be using glue. That tight roll isn't going anywhere.

5. Repeat Steps 1 through 4 on the other leg.

6. Rock the tight roll all day long, maintenance free. You'll look hot, and people will tell you that you look hot. After all, it's not called the "tight roll" simply because it's close-fitting.

Tips & Warnings

• The tighter the roll, the more likely it is to stay in place.
• After tight-rolling, go to the mall and loiter.
• If you're a first-timer in the 21st century, you may feel out of place. Wear it first with a sense if irony. Let people laugh at you. Then wear it again. This is how you ease into the transition. At first, your friends will think it's a good joke. Before they know it, they'll just think it's your style.
• Maintain the grip on the fold, or it can fall apart before you're ever finished.

[airesflora]

on 1/14/2008 I have to give it up. This was hilarious! I'll be the envy of my city. Me in my rolled up "poor quality" jeans and my drooling dog. It doesn't get any better than that.

[MsBryn]

on 1/8/2008 how in the world do you know how to do this? I used to do this in 1985. it ruled. I won't mention the elastic-cuff sweatpants we wore, the legs of which we would twist round and round (while we were wearing them) in order to attain the same tight-fitting hottness you mention above. we ruled. go rule.

[grouch]

on 1/3/2008 I remember this. Thank for the article it brought back fond memories of a time long ago.