Thank You, Europe, for Our Beloved Virginia Cloth!
published:
April 4, 2024
Sorry to burst your bubble, kid, but the good ol’ western cowboys DID NOT invent jeans.
Yes, that’s exactly what I told myself after a little research. I can’t lie, I was a little disappointed. Word on the streets* is that reality is the biggest dream killer. I never related more to this quote until now.
Model wearing blue jeans outfit photographed by Romario Roges on Unsplash
Who invented the jeans as we know them today?
The 19th century welcomed one of the most popular piece of clothing ever known to human kind: the illustrious blue jeans. As history remembers, on May 20th, 1873, the German-American businessman Levi Strauss and the Russian-American tailor Jacob William Davis received the licence to their invention, the reinforced jeans.
The product Strauss and Davis produces became instantly popular. Quicker than anyone would have expected, the jeans were no longer only work clothes. Everyone was wearing them, from rich to poor, from young to old. As jeans became popular all over the world, crossing classes and cultures, they also evolved, receiving multiple forms to blend with the current style or to accommodate the buyers’ needs.
From different waist heights to skinny, mom, boyfriend, ripped or even those jeans mauled by the tigers that went viral a few years ago, these pieces of clothing took over all kind of elements found in a wardrobe, such as jackets, shirts, dresses, and yes, even lingerie.
Model wearing blue jeans photographed by Ryan Moreno on Unsplash
How are jeans important for the fashion industry?
While this question does feel disrespectful for Davis and Strauss, it still needs to be answered. While there are many people out there who believe that jeans are not fashionable anymore because everyone on every street has them, my mother still remembers how in her small communist Romanian town having jeans meant that you are a certain someone.
While I don’t want to dwell into the sad history of our world, a true fact is that people were sad after the World War II. What made everything a little better? Those Americans who were serving in Europe and Japan and wore jeans in their leisure time. People wanted to relate to them, so they bought jeans too.
Another reason? Jeans are part of every style. From elegant to sporty, you can pair jeans with whatever you want and still look good. Their versatility inspired many other clothes to not limit themselves to just one type of outfit. People are generally happier with their clothes if they can wear multiple outfits with just one elements.
Despite their humble beginnings, jeans have played a crucial role in shaping the fashion industry. Beyond their practicality and durability, jeans hold cultural significance, symbolizing freedom, individuality, and rebellion. From wartime morale boosters to everyday wardrobe staples, jeans have endured as a timeless fashion staple cherished by people around the world.
Emily Ratajkowski wearing a full denim outfit for her EmRata X AG capsule collection
Moreover, jeans’ inherent versatility has inspired countless other garments, influencing fashion trends and encouraging creativity in styling. Whether dressed up or down, jeans remain a versatile wardrobe essential that effortlessly transitions from day to night, from casual to formal occasions. In essence, the enduring appeal of jeans lies in their ability to adapt and evolve while retaining their iconic status as a symbol of enduring style and timeless fashion.
*I am the streets.
-Otilia.