People all over the world love blue jeans and other garments made from the heavy cotton twill known as denim. Americans in particular love denim clothing and accessories. In fact, many erroneously think that this material is an American invention, and that the world-wide craze is just one more example of USA global influence. American teenagers in post World War II times adopted jeans as their generational fashion statement, and the faded blue pants have never lost popularity.
Denim is a durable fabric, originally made of 100% cotton woven on the diagonal. It fades fastest in areas that are stretched or rubbed; the look of wear is part of the appeal. Hard-riding cowboys of the Old West helped romanticize the image, and the well-worn look is now high fashion. In fact, people now buy jeans pre-worn and pre-faded, with carefully-designed holes.
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.
Today North America still buys most of the jeans made in the world, but the style is worn virtually everywhere. Once considered informal wear, blue jeans are now paired with blazers at fancy restaurants or worn with tweed coats to trendy outdoor activities (hunt races, polo games, soccer matches). Ladies wear jean skirts, and everyone likes jackets made of this material.
Many garments and accessories are made of actual cloth, but others may have the look while actually being made of things like plastic. Watch bands, handkerchiefs, hats, purses, and even shoes and boots may look like they are made with faded jean scraps. Furniture and decorative items like picture frames follow the fashion.
Actually, the word is now a color, the faded blue of a well-worn and well-loved garment. Even the 'stone-washed' craze for pre-faded and pre-washed garments of a grayer tint did not erase the predominance of the original blue. The world has never tired of its blue jeans.
The multi-million dollar denim industry continues, as new generations from Laurel, MD to Los Angeles, CA continue to love their jeans. They carry purses and backpacks, tie bandannas on their pets, and have their favorite brands and designers in what once were work clothes for far from fashionable people. A pair of of designer pants can cost as much as an evening gown. The craze has lasted over 150 years and doesn't seen destined to end anytime soon.
Denim is a durable fabric, originally made of 100% cotton woven on the diagonal. It fades fastest in areas that are stretched or rubbed; the look of wear is part of the appeal. Hard-riding cowboys of the Old West helped romanticize the image, and the well-worn look is now high fashion. In fact, people now buy jeans pre-worn and pre-faded, with carefully-designed holes.
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.
Today North America still buys most of the jeans made in the world, but the style is worn virtually everywhere. Once considered informal wear, blue jeans are now paired with blazers at fancy restaurants or worn with tweed coats to trendy outdoor activities (hunt races, polo games, soccer matches). Ladies wear jean skirts, and everyone likes jackets made of this material.
Many garments and accessories are made of actual cloth, but others may have the look while actually being made of things like plastic. Watch bands, handkerchiefs, hats, purses, and even shoes and boots may look like they are made with faded jean scraps. Furniture and decorative items like picture frames follow the fashion.
Actually, the word is now a color, the faded blue of a well-worn and well-loved garment. Even the 'stone-washed' craze for pre-faded and pre-washed garments of a grayer tint did not erase the predominance of the original blue. The world has never tired of its blue jeans.
The multi-million dollar denim industry continues, as new generations from Laurel, MD to Los Angeles, CA continue to love their jeans. They carry purses and backpacks, tie bandannas on their pets, and have their favorite brands and designers in what once were work clothes for far from fashionable people. A pair of of designer pants can cost as much as an evening gown. The craze has lasted over 150 years and doesn't seen destined to end anytime soon.
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