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.
When you hear the word tunic, what comes to your mind? The first thing that pops into my mind is Robin Hood or some Shakespearean character swashbuckling through my head.
I also think of the late 80's. I picture men and women with mullets. I remember wearing tunic length jackets with shoulder pads so big I could have passed for a football player. It wasn't the most figure friendly fashion statement, but we wore them anyway. I mean, I follow the trends as much as the next person (even the bad ones), don't we all? But I have many a fond memory of hanging out with my best friend wearing a brightly colored, over-sized, figure-bashing shirt ( I think my shirt was fuchsia).
However, as the saying goes, "What goes around comes around", and I must admit the tunics I am seeing today are restoring my faith in the idea that a tunic could actually be a flattering garment. Most of them today are sweaters. They look comfortable ,cozy and, yes, even attractive. I am also seeing a revival of color blocking (who would have thought). Maybe we'll get The Cosby Show back too; that may restore my faith in good television as well. What there does seem to be however, is a wonderful lack of shoulder pads. Although, I can get excited about wearing the updated version of the tunic, I know I could never get excited about wearing a thigh length fabric box.
So, if tunics from the past have left a bad taste in your mouth, check out what's new and you may find they are much more palatable. If you have any tunic stories from the old days tell me about them. Also, if you have any pictures and you are not too embarrassed to share them, feel free to post them to our Facebook page so we can remind ourselves that tunics have changed a lot, for the better. 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.
Although there is nothing holy about tights (or anything else the ‘Boy Wonder’ declared as holy) tights are certainly “in”.
There are stores, and I mean stores plural, that are dedicated to the sale of tights. Solid colored tights in every color imaginable, animal print tights, polka dot tights, etc. And then, of course, there are stockings, the near cousin of tights. Swiss dot stockings, fishnet stockings, and your basic standard stockings abound.
This doesn't disappoint me. I have very fond memories of a couple of pairs of fun tights I wore in the 90's. One pair was a blue floral, they looked great with my little black pencil skirt and silky blue blouse. The other pair had an argyle motif. I'd scoot about in my short denim skirt with brown loafers. And here we are again. Not that tights ever really went completely out.
It’s almost enough to make even this middle aged woman don a short skirt ( not too short, of course) and throw on some harlequin tights for a night out with my husband. Actually, change the 'almost' to a definitely. I may stick to something a little more tame, like a solid color, but maybe I won't. When I get my tights I'll post a picture of them.
Fashion is one of the ways I express myself. It’s amazing how choosing tights over stockings can affect the way I feel. I go from feeling respectable to slightly eccentric with just the change of my leg wear (is leg wear a real term? Well, it is now.) Today, I think my leg wear will consist of nice slacks, which will resonate responsibility. But tomorrow… who knows? I may shoot for eccentric with a pair of wild tights!
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.
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. 
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.
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.
