By Lami Zhang
Look in your closet. No matter what age or gender you are, there’s probably a pair of blue denim jeans in there somewhere.
When people in Nimes, France tried to replicate the Italian fabric Serge in the 18th century, they developed a rough, durable fabric they named “Serge de Nimes.” that was later shortened to denim. Capable of being dressed up or down, jeans have become a quintessential part of our daily lives since its commercialization over 60 years ago.
Here is a brief history of our beloved pair of pants and its varying styles over the decades.
1851: Levi Strauss came from Germany to New York, bringing with him the denim fabric. After he moved to the west during the Gold rush, he started working with Jacob W.Davis. Together, they developed the first pairs of levis jeans. In comparison to traditional flimsy fabric, denim was perfect for cowboys, miners, and other physical laborers because of its durability. In 1934, Levi's introduced their first pair of women's jeans, which were worn mostly by women who lived on farms and ranches.
Gold miners wearing jeans
1950s: Because of their frequent portrayals in Hollywood’s popular western films, jeans quickly made the transition from the ranches to the cities. Along with other celebrities, James Dean popularized blue jeans in the movie Rebel Without a Cause in 1955. He paired his jeans with a white t-shirt and a leather jacket, which became an ensemble that many people began copying immediately. Denim jeans became a trend of rebellious youth and was banned in many school dress codes.
James Dean on set of Rebel without a cause.
Marilyn Monroe popularized bootcut jeans through her movies The Misfits and Clash by night.
1960s: Along with more liberal and modern female gender roles, Jeans took on a slightly more fitted and sexier design. Actress Bridget Bardot loved her bootcut jeans.
Bridget Bardot
Lighter wash denim also came into fashion.
Levis ad
1970s: the iconic image of Farrah Fawcett rocking a pair of statement flares on a skateboard evokes a wave of 70s nostalgia. In this carefree era, jeans became flared and fitted at the waist. Landlubber jeans was an ultra-popular brand in the '70s.
Farrah Fawcett
Actress and Hermes muse Jane birkins always rocked a pair of flared jeans with an distressed hem.
Patchwork and embroidery on denim also came into trend.
ABBA
1980s: Denim went through its edgier, rebellious adolescent years: Ripped, distressed, acid washed.
Cher
Jeans were so fitted at the waist that some stores in New York actually started bringing in couches so customers could lie down while they struggled to zip them up.
Early 1990s: Jeans were a tranquil, medium wash of blue. The fabric was stiff and the legs were straight.
Gwyneth Paltrow
mid 1990s: Brands started making thinner, less stiff fabrics in darker navy washes.
Naomi Campbell
Early 2000s: On Wednesdays we wear pink, and in 2001, we also wore super low waisted bootcut jeans.
Mean Girls
Embellishments and accessories were all the rage. The more jingly the better.
Destiny's Child
Late 2000s: Skinny jeans hit the racks of every mall nationwide. Worn with heels or tucked into boots, they were the go to fashion item for supermodels and your average neighborhood Susan.
Heidi Klum
2010s to now: We see the comeback of many different style of denim jeans. Boyfriend jeans and mom jeans returned to become a staple of effortless and comfortable styles.
Gigi Hadid
Sources:
“What Jeans Looked Like the Year You Were Born.” ELLE, ELLE, 11 Oct. 2017, www.elle.com/culture/g28150/denim-through-the-years/?slide=28.
Wright, Jennifer. “The Complete History of Blue Jeans, From Miners to Marilyn Monroe.” Racked, Racked, 27 Feb. 2015, www.racked.com/2015/2/27/8116465/the-complete-history-of-blue-jeans-from-miners-to-marilyn-monroe.
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