Americans, as well as millions of people in other countries, love denim. Although this strong cotton twill actually originated in Italy, a survey would probably find that most citizens of the USA believe that storekeepers in California invented it for miners during the Gold Rush. Teenagers adopted 'blue jeans' in the rebellious years of the 50's and 60's, and their appeal spread world wide. Today, denim clothing and accessories are a multi-million dollar industry.
Denim is a durable fabric, originally made of 100% cotton woven on the diagonal.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.
This 'twill' was originally dyed with indigo, giving it the distinctive dark blue color of brand new jeans. It now comes in every color of the rainbow, as well as in blends with synthetics for lighter weight and comfort, or in stretch fabrics when combined with spandex. However, people probably will always think of the strong all-cotton original cloth when they hear the term.
The fabric is not an American innovation but originated in Italy in the 1700's. It was used for military uniforms and factory wear. However, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss made 'levis' famous in the California Gold Rush days, when they created overalls and pants made of this strong cloth and reinforced with rivets at stress points. Miners, farmers, and ranchers all loved the unsurpassed durability of levis.
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.
Pants, skirts, and jackets are made for people of all ages, even infants and toddlers. Other garments and accessories may look like the real thing but be fashioned from synthetic materials for lighter weight or from plastic, (watch bands, for instance). Hats, scarves, belts, shoes, boots, and handkerchiefs look like they're made from well-worn jean scraps. The look is popular for den furniture, picture frames, and lamp shades.
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 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.
This 'twill' was originally dyed with indigo, giving it the distinctive dark blue color of brand new jeans. It now comes in every color of the rainbow, as well as in blends with synthetics for lighter weight and comfort, or in stretch fabrics when combined with spandex. However, people probably will always think of the strong all-cotton original cloth when they hear the term.
The fabric is not an American innovation but originated in Italy in the 1700's. It was used for military uniforms and factory wear. However, Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss made 'levis' famous in the California Gold Rush days, when they created overalls and pants made of this strong cloth and reinforced with rivets at stress points. Miners, farmers, and ranchers all loved the unsurpassed durability of levis.
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.
Pants, skirts, and jackets are made for people of all ages, even infants and toddlers. Other garments and accessories may look like the real thing but be fashioned from synthetic materials for lighter weight or from plastic, (watch bands, for instance). Hats, scarves, belts, shoes, boots, and handkerchiefs look like they're made from well-worn jean scraps. The look is popular for den furniture, picture frames, and lamp shades.
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.
