I’m not usually the one to look up where the things came from or evolve from, but I got this interesting proposal and research about the jeans and since they’re one of the absolute classic and a must have in every human closet, I accept it and here it is. A quick road down a memory lane about how jeans became an evergreen. Because it never hurts to learn something new, they say.
- The word ‘jeans’ comes from the French phrase ‘bleu de Genes’ meaning ‘the blue of Genoa’. The denim fabric originated in the French town of Nimes and owes its name to the location, which was quickly known as ‘denim’ abroad.
- Jacob Davis, a tailor in Nevada, came up with the idea of riveted pants in response to a customer whose pockets kept ripping. He feared someone might steal his idea and recruited Levi Strauss, owner of dry goods wholesaler Levi Strauss & Co., as a business partner. They obtained a patent on May 20, 1873.
- In the east, the jeans were synonymous with romantic notions of the cowboy – rugged, independent and American, but at the same time rural and working class. When they did start to be worn as casual wear, it was a symbol of rebellion.
- They were affordable and hard-wearing, looked good worn as well as new, and didn’t have to be washed often or ironed at all. They conformed to the body in a way that matched even the most finely tailored clothes. This became especially important for women because then, as now, they paid more attention to fit.
- Acceptance of jeans continued through the 1980s and 1990s to the point where jeans are now a wardrobe staple, with the average North American owning seven pairs. Currently, jeans may be seen worn by people of all genders and ages.
Learned something new? I sure did. And if you’re in a search for a new pair of this iconic bottoms, they have quite a collection of fine pairs in House of Fraser. The mens jeans is very nice, but don’t worry ladies, they have something for us just as well! This is definitely on the list of shopping destinations when my long expected trip to London begins in 15 days, yaay, so excited!
This right now actually gave me an idea about more posts on the fashion history theme… Wouldn’t it be nice to know where all the staples and trends came from? What do you think? Yay or Nay?
