Jeans As Fashion Icon

By Author: Jamie Hanson
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Jeans are a staple in everybody's closet. Your grandpa had them, your mom wore them, even your children's children will most likely wear them. Jeans are one of the most enduring fashion garments in history. It has come a long way from being workman's wear. Now every designer seems to have his own take on jeans, but no matter what shape, color and style it comes in, people can't seem to get enough of it.

Origins
Jeans are considered as a symbol of American culture but it actually originated in two countries outside of the United States. Jeans are made of denim fabric and denim originated from Nimes, a town in France, and in India where dungarees were first worn. Dungarees were made of denim fabric.

The person credited for popularizing jeans in America is Levi Strauss, but the first product was actually a collaboration between him and a man named Jacob Davis. It was Davis' idea to use rivets to fasten the pockets onto the pants. Stitching wasn't enough reinforcement and the pockets tore off easily.

The first denim jeans were actually made for miners and it soon became a favorite among the working ...
... class for its durability. Ranchers and farmers raved about how strong the material was and that it was ideal for just the type of environment that they worked in. Soon, jeans were regularly seen being worn by cowboys in Westerns. It also started to become popular among America's youth.

Jeans and Symbolism
The draw of jeans was so compelling that the garment came to be associated with several ideas over the years. It wasn't just a piece of clothing, it was a statement.

During the 1950s, the young adults of America began to embrace the rebel in themselves and wore jeans as a statement of their individuality. It became a symbol of a generation's refusal to conform to the current standards of society.

To adults, it was seen as a symbol of balance, an equalizer, if you will. Everybody wore jeans - the cash-strapped, college kids, even people who belong to high society.

Bell bottom jeans were painted with bright, vivid color and embellished with beads and flowers during the 1960s. During this age, jeans were representative of the hippie generation. Very rarely did we not see a hippie clad in flared jeans, asking the public to advocate peace and love thy neighbor.

Evolution of Styles
It would seem that there isn't a style, shape or design that wasn't integrated into jeans. Perhaps because it is such a versatile piece of clothing that numerous designers have molded it into whatever design and style that they could think of. They can have embroidery on them, they can be studded with gemstones or they can be dyed. There is practically no limit to what you can do with a pair of jeans.

Over the years, jeans have also undergone a variety of cuts and fits. Some of the more popular ones are:
- Bootleg or boot cut jeans
- Skinny jeans
- Bell bottoms
- Low-rise jeans
- Straight cut
- Hiphop pants
- Overalls
- Cigarette pants

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