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The Origin of the Jeans

July 17, 2011 by
jeans for men

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You slip them on just about every day. You have for years. Do you know where the blue jean comes from, though? Those pants you enjoy wearing and that come in so many styles, colors and patterns, have a long history of providing function, durability and style to people.

Learning the Jeans’ History

You will find it in everything from baby costumes to dresses. Jean material is something that started long ago, when a man named Levi Strauss first arrived in San Francisco in 1860.

  • The jeans’ invention stems from necessity. Strauss noticed the need that gold miners had as they worked out in the mines and fields for durable trousers. After selling canvas products, he later created pants using a product called denim. This added more comfort to the pants.
  • The first denim material, though, was not from Strauss. Rather, manufacturers began creating denim in Genoa, Italy.
  • Adding copper rivets happened to the jean pants in 1893. The addition helped to create more strength in the stress points of the pants. Work tools of those who wore these pants pulled at these locations as they hung on pockets and belt loops.
  • The name “jeans” hit in the 1920′s. It stems from the French Revolutionary period when the term “jeans,” which sounds like “johns” in French, then applied to the heavy cotton fabric created in Italy.

It would be some time before the material became more commonplace in American society. With the advent of fashion designers, though, the creation of this material was more for fashion than for functional use by the middle of the 1960′s.

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From Levi to Lucky: How Denim Became Designer

June 13, 2011 by
Closeup of a copper rivet on blue jeans. 

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Jeans; talk about a rag to riches story. Once upon a time, denim trousers were favored by sailors from Genoa, who knew no other piece of apparel could stand months of deck swabbing and seawater. Eventually jeans made it stateside, where they were worn by laborers and prisoners, a duo of workhands who could wear through chinos faster than you can say “zip your fly”. At some point during their life, jeans got a whiff of new life when rebellious teens took a fancy to them. The rest, as they say, is history.

 

 

Not Cinderella’s Jeans

 

Remember Jordache? They paved the way for today’s $400 True Religions when they began selling cool jeans just for women. Women do love fashion, and as denim became more sophisticated, so did the offerings. Jeans weren’t casual standards anymore; they became tailored bottoms, suitable for work and date nights. The biggest names in denim today have only been around for about a decade, but they satiated the human desire for haute denim. Perhaps you recognize some of these jean big-wigs?

 

  • True Religion
  • Seven for all Mankind
  • Rock & Republic
  • Chip and Pepper
  • Citizens of Humanity
  • William Rast
  • Diesel

 

 

New Kids on the Rack

 

The designer denim option isn’t as narrow as it used to be; there are many more jeans companies than the well-loved names above with pant offerings in the $100 to $500 range. From high quality Japanese denim, edgy stitching, pocket fleur-de-lis, rips, paint splatters, or utterly chic tailoring, designer jeans have come a long way from their high-seas basic. Pair some flares with a navy striped top for a tribute to your beloved Sevens.

 

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Where did Jeans Come From and Where are They Going?

May 17, 2011 by
Closeup of a copper rivet on blue jeans.

Image via Wikipedia

Jeans originated as something that one would work in, not as a fashion trend. But over time, the concept and fashion trend of denim jeans has marked the world and has not stopped ever since. Denim jeans remain a fashion statement piece as well as a way to both dress down fashionably. Denim jeans can be worn in a variety of settings, and, with the proper accessories, they can be worn on classy occasions as well as casual.

The idea of creating work pants from denim material had been around since the 1600s; however, it was Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis who came up with the idea of reinforcing pockets, the bottoms of the fly, and other areas of denim pants with rivets. These were a far cry from Apple Bottoms jeans you can buy at he mall, but it was the beginning of the blue jeans we know today.

Now, Where Are They Going? That’s anybody’s guess. They have certainly evolved over the years, from being something you only wore around the house to becoming accepted everywhere, even in the workplace or in places of worship!

Jeans started out very basic straight legged, with pockets and belt loops, and not much else. However, as they became more popular, the styles changed. You had the bell-bottoms of the 60s and 70s (which are making a comeback), the acid-washed jeans of the 80s, and other styles.

Today, jeans still come in a wide variety of styles, with shades ranging from darkest indigo to faded blue. This means you can find jeans that fit you the best and you will enjoy wearing.

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How to Wear Denim for Any Occasion

May 5, 2011 by
Closeup of a copper rivet on blue jeans. 

Image via Wikipedia

Ok, ok you cannot wear jeans for any occasion but you can wear jeans for most occasions. As jeans are usually a staple in every woman’s wardrobe it is important to get the most from them. It is also important that you know when and where you can wear certain types of denim to look as stylish as possible.

With the craze of the skinny jean, chances are you have a pair in your closet. Skinny jeans are a great item to have in wardrobe because they can be worn to many different types of functions. Skinny jeans with a flowy top and flats is a great out fit to wear to lunch with girlfriends or while you are out shopping. To dress up the outfit and make it more appropriate for evening wear a silky top with a graphic detail or a metallic design. Ankle boots and chunky jewelry will help to add to the evening, dressy feel.

Dark wash denim will not only make you look taller and thinner but they will also dress up any normal outfit. Dark wash denim has even become appropriate for the work environment. While not all employers will appreciate denim in the office, if your work place is a little more laid back and fashion forward then dark wash denim can be worn. To dress up dark wash denim pair the jeans with a blazer and heels. When you are wearing denim in the office make sure to pair the denim with structured blouse which will help to make the look more professional.

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Tried, True, and Blue: Denim and the American Image

April 8, 2011 by
I don't have any special edition or rare jeans...

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When the world thinks of American fashion, there is always one particular item that comes to mind: blue jeans. Born out of the exodus to the western part of the country, denim has become integral to the American persona. They have evolved in innumerable ways and are currently a staple of everyday life in many countries around the world. In the United States today it is often acceptable to wear jeans everywhere—from a local baseball game to a formal event. They are durable, stylish, and irreplaceable.
During the California Gold Rush in the mid-nineteenth century, Levi Strauss began manufacturing a unique type of work pant made from cotton twill, known as denim. Strauss included metal press studs, made from copper, on these denim pants in areas that experienced the most deterioration. This prevented them from ripping and therefore made them last longer. It wasn’t long before gold miners seized on this innovative garment, and it became widely available.
Blue jeans gained even more popularity during World War II. It was common for men to wear jeans as a main clothing item, but women still tended to wear dresses, skirts, and slacks. However, the war changed this—women working in factories popularized denim for the female sex and made it more acceptable. The teenage rebellion of the 1950s turned to jeans and leather jackets as a form of self-expression, and in the 1960s jeans became more tailored to fashion with new styles, such as the bell-bottom. Jeans continue to evolve today and are available in a multitude of styles to fit every American’s shape, taste, and budget.

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Strauss and de Nimes

March 24, 2011 by

Many people know the story of Levi Strauss—or so they think, but did you ever wonder where the terms denim and jeans come from?

Levi Strauss—originally Leob Strauss—took an already existing fabric and used it to create clothing for the gold miner.  Denim had already become common in the 1700s, used to clothe slaves, traders, and farmers because it was a strong, durable material. It was often blue because indigo was one of the more plentiful natural dyes.

During the California gold rush, miners wanted durable clothing that would hold up to the rigors of digging in the earth and wading in streams.  They did not have their wives or local seamstresses around to fulfill that need. Strauss saw the need and started providing denim pants at wholesale to outfitters.

The rivet, which is so famous for its first use on Levis, was not invented by Levi Strauss.  It was invented by a man named Jacob Davis, who saw that a big problem with working men’s pants was that the pockets tore away from the fabric.  He did not have the money to patent his idea, so he sold the idea to Strauss. Thus Levis became the first jeans with rivets, a staple for working men and cowboys from 1872.

Denim supposedly comes from a type of serge cloth sewn in Nimes, France.  Thus the term, ‘de Nimes became denim in English.  The word jeans comes from Genoa, Italy. Genes, or jeans, were cotton clothing worn by sailors. As you don your latest stylish jeans, think of wearing the pants made from the sail of a ship. They have come a long way in style since then.

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Blue Jeans in the 70’s: From Maverick to Mainstream

March 9, 2011 by

In 1970, many girls were still required to wear dresses to school. When little girls played on the playground bars or swings, their underpants showed and no one thought much of it. When indoors they were taught to “sit like a lady”—knees together, skirt pulled down a bit—though it was difficult in the days of the miniskirt.

As schools eased up on their dress codes, many girls started wearing pants to school, but blue jeans were still considered unladylike.  Female teachers wore suits or dresses.  Some fathers did not care for their girls wearing denim, especially in farming areas. “Jeans are for working,” they said.

In 1973, a group of girls in a California school rebelled against their teacher’s favoritism of boys by dressing like the boys—in jeans, t-shirts, and ball caps—and no one sent them home. They didn’t even make the news.

By 1976, girls wore jeans to school and other places. The next big fad was bib overalls, which horrified the older generation. “They are men’s clothing!” they exclaimed in dismay. Along with the bib overalls girls wore “jumpsuits,” a one-piece garment that covered the body from neck to ankles. Those didn’t last long, as they were inconvenient to deal with on a daily basis.

By 1979, most girls wore pants or jeans to school all the time, and nobody blinked an eye.  Many teachers began to dress more casually as well, though usually not in denims.  Pants were skin tight to the knee—painted on, according to disapproving parents—and flared at the lower part of the leg, but not as full as the bell-bottoms of the 60’s. The older generation did not see how the young could stand them, especially in denim. But blue jeans prevailed, going from rebel to mainstream in the course of a decade.

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Denim Through the Ages

February 16, 2011 by
The denim fabric of a jeans

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When it comes to the world of denim there are no age restrictions or age limits. From denim jeans to denim jackets, all age groups can don the garment and look good doing it. This fact signifies the adaptable qualities of denim.

However, that doesn’t mean kids and their grandparents should be shopping together for the same outfit. In each age group there are suitable denim styles and shapes that work for them and not so much for others.

Kids

Children have the luxury of looking good in just about anything. They can sport any type of denim product, from jeans to jackets to shirts. And in all different colors, too. Of course, for children there are limits to the styles. For boys, jeans that are too baggy are likely to fall to the ground. Meanwhile, for girls, wearing low-riding jeans like their older sisters should be forbidden.

Teens

When kids reach their teenage years they can be expected to branch out in all different styles and colors of denim. Some may prefer tighter denim clothing, while others are more interested in a looser fitting look. Like their other experimentations, teenagers are sure to wear many unconventional colors from red to purple.

Adults

As an adult there has to be more consideration to what style and size of denim is worn. Denim should be more conforming to the figure. Bright colors should be limited and styles should be more fashionable. Finding the right jeans for an adult is as simple as shopping where there are no teenagers.

Elderly

Like kids, the elderly are more than welcome to wear any clothing in denim. However, it should all be in traditional colors and styles with an emphasis on respectability.

Denim is one of the few garments that can literally span generations of wearers without losing its cool.

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The Many Shades of Denim

February 10, 2011 by

When people think of denim they are sure to think of the classic blue shade of jeans. That is understandable since it is indeed the color of choice for anything made of denim. But that color denim is just one of many that have been made and dyed over the nearly 100 years of the garment.

Once denim became a fashion piece, designers have been trying to broaden its color horizons. In recent times, shades of denim have been made to not only offer variety but to match the many different images people are trying to convey.

Dark

In the shade of blue, denim is available in many different dark hues. They start with the typical dark blue that signifys most jeans. The specturm then reaches blue shades that almost look black. To add affect, a lot of dark blue denim has steaks of lighter blue to create a creased, worn look.

Light

Going as far as one step above white, light denim is generally comprised of baby blues. The most notable of light denim are stone washed jeans, some of which have very little shades of blue. But like dark denim, light denim runs a full spectrum reaching full, yet soft, blue shades.

Fades

The biggest separator of dark and light denim are the fades incorporated to present different looks. The most popular is the rugged look with lighter colors in middle of the pant leg surrounded by dark blues on the edges. Other denim jeans have greater parity between light and dark blue as both are spread across the fabric in a seamless fashion.

Colors

Although blue is the preferred, and generally the more natural, color of denim, it is still just one color available. With the right dye, denim can be made into any color one desires. Darker colors like black, purple and green are the more fashionably accepted. That’s because light colors like yellow or red can stick out like a very sore thumb.

When shopping for denim consumers can be assured that there are plenty of colorful choices.

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Wearing Denim Beyond Pants

February 8, 2011 by

What was originally created for back-breaking labor purposes, denim has become one of the hottest fashion materials. Denim has traditionally made its mark in the form of jeans, most notably by the Levi brand. Denim jeans are known for their utility as they can be worn with just about anything from just a plain t-shirt to a fancy sport coat, and for any occasion be it lounging around the house or a night out on the town.

But just like their ability to pair denim jeans with everything, designers have tried to make everything out of denim. From outwear to underwear, denim has branched out to all areas of fashion.

Denim Jacket

Rivaling even denim jeans, the denim jacket became popular in the 1970s and 1980s and hasn’t gone out of style since. Denim jackets provide both a rugged and fashionable look making them mainstays for all kinds of shoppers.

Denim Button Up Shirt

Once the style of auto mechanics, denim button up shirts are a staple of rock stars. It is generally the one collared shirt that screams cool. They are acceptable to wear open or even with a suit and tie.

Denim Overalls

Overalls can found made out of a variety of fabrics, such as corduroy, but they are a traditional denim garment. Denim overalls are a testament to the fabric’s working class roots as they are still worn in many workplaces because of their functionality.

Denim Skirt

Women have extended the use of denim in a variety of ways. One way is the denim skirt–a fashion piece for women in their everyday travels and nights out.

Denim Shorts

Denim shorts can be found for men, but they certainly don’t have the same effect that they do for women. Women have made denims shorts a clothing item with sex appeal, while men lost that ability in the 1990s when everything became baggy.

Finding out why denim is so popular is a futile task. Instead, seeing how deeply ingrained it is in the fashion world is a testament to its continued popularity.

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