Jeans. American Made.

This morning I got up and readied myself for the day. I did what I often do; I grabbed a pair of jeans, a comfortable shirt and headed downstairs. 

Since my son had asked me to write something style oriented, I decided to educate myself on the history of jeans. In doing so I came to realize how symbolic of America “jeans” are.

Jeans, as we know them today, actually got their start in 1872 in Reno, Nevada when a tailor named Jacob Davis developed a type of riveted pant called 'waist overalls'. These were made for the miners in the area. Needing a partner, he contacted Levi Strauss, who had a business in San Francisco. Together they patented Davis’ riveted styling idea. They made two styles of pants; one out of blue denim and the other out of brown duck cloth. Levi Strauss died in 1902, leaving the company to his nephews who discontinued the line of brown duck pants in 1911. People had discovered that the blue denim was not only hardy, but became more comfortable with each wash. By the 1920's, Levi's waist overalls had emerged as the leading work pants west of the Mississippi.

Then something wonderful happened... MOVIES!  In the 1930's movies that romanticized the western lifestyle gave the pants a new boost in popularity. Stars like John Wayne and Gary Cooper had made jeans such a sought after piece of clothing that when American soldiers took their denim overseas (to wear while “on leave”), Europeans would offer them items like high quality leather jackets in exchange for the American made jeans. However, the pants didn't officially adopt the term 'jeans' until sometime in the 1950's. From the 1950's through the early 70's jeans were seen as a symbol of rebellion. This was depicted in movies like “Rebel Without a Cause” and “American Graffiti”.  Remember “The Fonz” on “Happy Days”? Many of the more conventional dressers of the day looked down on those who wore jeans.

Later, however, according to an article by Lynn Downey written for Levi Strauss Co., jeans became a canvas for personal expression. I personally remember watching my sister embroider some denim with bright colorful floss. It sort of makes me want to get out one of my old pair of jeans and decorate them to express myself. I believe this was a turning point for jeans being more than just a comfortable pair of pants. It was the beginning of jeans becoming a fashion statement. The clothing industry recognized this too and followed up with “designer jeans” in the 1980's. In Lynn Downey's paper (mentioned above), she quotes an undisclosed writer in 1969 from American Fabrics as saying, “What has happened to denim in the past decade is really a capsule of what happened to America. It has climbed the ladder of taste.”

Jeans have been worn from coal mines to offices. From cowboys to movie stars. They are worn by farmers in the fields and by corporate moguls in skyscrapers. They are an item of clothing that touches every demographic within this country. They are a great equalizer.

In honor of jean’s rich but young history, please share with me what style of jeans are your favorite? I personally enjoy wearing “boot cut” jeans. And if you are looking for a fresh pair of jeans check out our store to see if any strike your fancy. Thanks for reading!

Robin Liner is a wife, mother of six, and the female mind behind the plus size women's brand, TheCasualWoman.com. Her busy lifestyle makes her a champion for quality casual clothing that can stand the test of time.