I have a pair of jeans that I don't like the coclor of, I would like to lighten them up and I'm afraid just bleach in the washer may make them uneven. Is there anyway to do this so that they come out looking like they were made that way instead of like I had an accident with a bleach bottle?

Not only will bleach give them that 'unnatural faded look', it will also wear them out faster.

I have tried and ruined many a pair of jeans, and what I learned is wash & wear is the best, just use hot water when you wash them, it will cause the dye to fade, whereas cold will help contain the dye. Also, don't use a detergent that boasts that it helps keep color in the garment, since that is not what you want.

None of my blue jeans fade no matter how many times I wash them. Years ago jeans used to soften up and get that worn in faded look. Now they just seem to fray at the seams. I think they use a different dye in the jeans than they used to. LVLF is right about the bleach. (I know, I tried it) Maybe you could just try buying the same jeans in a lighter color. I have not had a pair of blue jeans fade in the wash in years. (only black still fades)

Figures, I used to love it when you had a pair of levis that were washed so many times the felt almost like flannel and were light blue.