Millions around the globe love wearing denim. North Americans buy almost half of the world's supply, and many citizens of the USA consider this tough cotton material a red, white, and blue trademark. It's true that a couple of clothing manufacturers became famous from supplying sturdy trousers for miners back in the Gold Rush days, but they didn't invent the material itself. American teenagers coming into their own after World War II adopted blue jeans as their uniform, and the popularity of the close-fitting trousers spread gradually to every country. Today, denim clothing and accessories are big business.
Denim wears exceptionally well, gets softer as it is worn and washed, and fades in areas of greatest wear, giving it a unique well-worn look that was part of the cowboy image of the West and now has become high fashion. In fact, sometimes modern pants are more holes than whole cloth.
Once 100% indigo-blue-dyed cotton, the diagonally-woven material now comes in many weights, colors, and composite fabrics (such as stretch when combined with spandex.) However, the faded blue, heavyweight cotton material is what people think of when they hear the term. They probably always will.
Trousers were the first garments made of this sturdy fabric. Manufacturers in Genoa, Italy, made garb for soldiers and factory workers in the 1700's. Using this tough fabric, California storekeeper Levi Strauss and his partner Jacob Davis introduced riveted trousers in America in the late 1870's. Using rivets to secure pocket and zipper seams made the garments exceptionally durable, standing up to rough wear in mines or on ranches. Originally 'levis' were overalls with a bib front, but the waist-high pants preferred by cowboys became the favored style.
North Americans may not be able to claim all the credit for blue jeans, but they did make them an icon and continue to buy more denim than anyone else. Once jeans were considered symbols of rebellion. They then were reserved for informal occasions, accepted for work or play. Now, of course, they can be worn with a blazer to a fine restaurant or with tweeds to any country-chic event. Denim jackets are also an enduring favorite.
The look has been reproduced in almost every material, even plastic. Picture frames and watch bands are designed to complement the clothing or upholstery people enjoy every day. Handkerchiefs, footwear, hats, and bedding reflect the enduring love affair with blue jeans.
Most people still think of faded blue when they hear the word, even with all the variety on the market. It's used as a color description, needing no elaboration. Even the rage for 'stone-washed' material - artificially faded and softened to get rid of the stiff new look - hasn't totally corrupted the term.
From Laurel, MD to Los Angeles, CA, and from New York City to Japan and Africa, people are wearing jean jackets, pants, skirts, scarves, and footwear and carrying jean purses and wallets. They sit on denim beanbags and tie faded-blue bandannas around the necks of their dogs. Although 50's and 60's music has declined in popularity and the original hippies are now grey-haired and bearded, the universal appeal of these pants patented by Levi Strauss almost 150 years ago is still going strong.
Denim wears exceptionally well, gets softer as it is worn and washed, and fades in areas of greatest wear, giving it a unique well-worn look that was part of the cowboy image of the West and now has become high fashion. In fact, sometimes modern pants are more holes than whole cloth.
Once 100% indigo-blue-dyed cotton, the diagonally-woven material now comes in many weights, colors, and composite fabrics (such as stretch when combined with spandex.) However, the faded blue, heavyweight cotton material is what people think of when they hear the term. They probably always will.
Trousers were the first garments made of this sturdy fabric. Manufacturers in Genoa, Italy, made garb for soldiers and factory workers in the 1700's. Using this tough fabric, California storekeeper Levi Strauss and his partner Jacob Davis introduced riveted trousers in America in the late 1870's. Using rivets to secure pocket and zipper seams made the garments exceptionally durable, standing up to rough wear in mines or on ranches. Originally 'levis' were overalls with a bib front, but the waist-high pants preferred by cowboys became the favored style.
North Americans may not be able to claim all the credit for blue jeans, but they did make them an icon and continue to buy more denim than anyone else. Once jeans were considered symbols of rebellion. They then were reserved for informal occasions, accepted for work or play. Now, of course, they can be worn with a blazer to a fine restaurant or with tweeds to any country-chic event. Denim jackets are also an enduring favorite.
The look has been reproduced in almost every material, even plastic. Picture frames and watch bands are designed to complement the clothing or upholstery people enjoy every day. Handkerchiefs, footwear, hats, and bedding reflect the enduring love affair with blue jeans.
Most people still think of faded blue when they hear the word, even with all the variety on the market. It's used as a color description, needing no elaboration. Even the rage for 'stone-washed' material - artificially faded and softened to get rid of the stiff new look - hasn't totally corrupted the term.
From Laurel, MD to Los Angeles, CA, and from New York City to Japan and Africa, people are wearing jean jackets, pants, skirts, scarves, and footwear and carrying jean purses and wallets. They sit on denim beanbags and tie faded-blue bandannas around the necks of their dogs. Although 50's and 60's music has declined in popularity and the original hippies are now grey-haired and bearded, the universal appeal of these pants patented by Levi Strauss almost 150 years ago is still going strong.
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