No matter who you are or where you live, you most likely know what jeans are and probably own at least a few pairs. That is because jeans have a long history and a pervasive presence all over the world.
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| Some good ol' miner boys hangin' out in their Levi's |
Denim trousers had humble beginnings 500 years ago in Europe, invented as a sturdy material for Italian sailors. The term "jean" is said to be derived from the french term "bleu de Genes" or "blue of Genoa". Over the centuries, these denim trousers (not yet called jeans) became more and more popular, but strictly for the likes of hard-working, dirty job doing men. You may have heard of a little fashion pioneer by the name of Levi Strauss? Well, in 1872 he and his partner, Jacob Davis, brilliantly invented the concept for riveting
jeans for further stability. Their design was a hit on the West Coast of North America, but still only served a purpose for miners and marines.
Then came the beloved decade: the 50s. With all of it's on-screen media and burgeoning teen rebellion, it's easy to understand how jeans began to become more popular in everyday fashion. Stars like James Dean popularized the wearing of jeans (then known as "waist overalls") and teens wishing to rebel against the straight-laced style of their parents ate up the blue collar style.
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| Woodstock. Need I say more? |
This trend exploded in the 1960s as jeans became a uniform for the hippie movement. Companies like Levi's recognized the potential in the teen market and came out with all sorts of free loving designs, including huge bell bottoms and peace sign button flies.
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| A young Brooke Shields poses in one of the first Calvin Klein jean ads. |
Despite their vast popularity in the 60s, jeans didn't become truly "fashionable" until the 1980s when they were introduced as "designer". Brands like Jordache and Calvin Klein hopped on the denim bandwagon and all of a sudden jeans were oh-so-stylish and stupidly expensive.
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| Stonewash! Fringe! Bedazzling! And SO MUCH DENIM. |
Since then, jeans have gone through a seemingly ever-changing slew of different shapes, sizes, colours, and cuts. In the 80s, it seemed that anything and everything could (and should!) be made of denim. Stonewashing became increasingly popular as did the lost art of bedazzling. The 90s saw jeans become baggier and brighter, with colours like yellow, purple and red stealing the spotlight from traditional blue.
And here we are in the year 2011 and jeans are as popular (if not more so) as ever. No matter your shape, size, colour or creed there is a pair of jeans out there to make your ass look great. There's probably even a jacket and shoes to match. There are jeans for dogs and jeans for babies. Heck, there's even something out there called "Pajama Jeans" (because real jeans are just "too hard to put on"!).
Jeans are truly the fantastic faded blue proof that a classic never dies.
Some vintage denim for a modern world:
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| Cat Stevens Bell Bottoms by honey pie vintage |
These maybe the most comfortable jeans on the face of the earth! And they don't look too shabby either! |
| Squeeze Denim Dress by honey pie vintage |
Vintage denim dresses tend to be big and shapeless. I love that this one has great curve-hugging structure.
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| Light Denim Skimmers by Old Baltimore Vintage |
A great example of the versatility of denim. These are sweet, simple and make me want to go sailing. Anything that does that is just plain awesome.
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| Purple Vintage Jeans by Kimberly Danielle |
Classic 90s colour. These amazing purple jeans have all the great character I love about 90s denim.
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| Overalls Onesy by Vintagetwists |
Not just overalls, super belled culotte overalls! I love this variation on a traditional style.
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| Easy Breezy Mini by Storied |
It's not easy to find a unique and stylish vintage denim skirt. This one certainly fits those needs and has great contemporary style with that high waist, brass buttons and lovely light colour.
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