Millions around the globe love wearing denim. North Americans buy almost half of the world's supply, and many citizens of the USA consider this tough cotton material a red, white, and blue trademark. It's true that a couple of clothing manufacturers became famous from supplying sturdy trousers for miners back in the Gold Rush days, but they didn't invent the material itself. American teenagers coming into their own after World War II adopted blue jeans as their uniform, and the popularity of the close-fitting trousers spread gradually to every country. Today, denim clothing and accessories are big business.
Denim wears exceptionally well, gets softer as it is worn and washed, and fades in areas of greatest wear, giving it a unique well-worn look that was part of the cowboy image of the West and now has become high fashion. In fact, sometimes modern pants are more holes than whole cloth.
Once all jeans were blue, since the original fabric invented in Italy was died with natural indigo. Now, of course, they come in every color and can be made with synthetic fibers or cotton combined with spandex for stretchy fit and comfort. Although the word itself still means the original faded blue, fashion has brought infinite variety to clothes and other fashion details.
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.
North Americans may not be able to claim all the credit for blue jeans, but they did make them an icon and continue to buy more denim than anyone else. Once jeans were considered symbols of rebellion. They then were reserved for informal occasions, accepted for work or play. Now, of course, they can be worn with a blazer to a fine restaurant or with tweeds to any country-chic event. Denim jackets are also an enduring favorite.
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 has come to mean a color, the faded blue of frequently-washed and well-worn jeans. Although garments and fashion accents now come in all colors of the rainbow, the basic term brings the distinctive faded blue to mind every time. 'Stone-washed' is a term used for the artificially faded material designed to give new garments an already-washed look and feel.
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 wears exceptionally well, gets softer as it is worn and washed, and fades in areas of greatest wear, giving it a unique well-worn look that was part of the cowboy image of the West and now has become high fashion. In fact, sometimes modern pants are more holes than whole cloth.
Once all jeans were blue, since the original fabric invented in Italy was died with natural indigo. Now, of course, they come in every color and can be made with synthetic fibers or cotton combined with spandex for stretchy fit and comfort. Although the word itself still means the original faded blue, fashion has brought infinite variety to clothes and other fashion details.
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.
North Americans may not be able to claim all the credit for blue jeans, but they did make them an icon and continue to buy more denim than anyone else. Once jeans were considered symbols of rebellion. They then were reserved for informal occasions, accepted for work or play. Now, of course, they can be worn with a blazer to a fine restaurant or with tweeds to any country-chic event. Denim jackets are also an enduring favorite.
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 has come to mean a color, the faded blue of frequently-washed and well-worn jeans. Although garments and fashion accents now come in all colors of the rainbow, the basic term brings the distinctive faded blue to mind every time. 'Stone-washed' is a term used for the artificially faded material designed to give new garments an already-washed look and feel.
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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