Denim

Denim jeans have transcended time in the fashion industry. While the origin of denim itself can be traced back hundreds of years to Central European sailors and their blend of cotton, wool, and linen pants, the modern timeline of America's prized jeans begins with a familiar name -- Levi Strauss. Levi came to America from Bavaria in 1847. Levi began his work in the clothing industry with his family, who owned a small shop specializing in fabric retail. But in 1872, when Levi received a letter from tailor J.W. Davis, his life took a drastic upward climb. Davis shared that he had been adding metal rivets to pants, and Levi saw this as a patentable idea, thus creating pocketed pants fastened with copper buttons. Levi then made his claim by adding a leather patch logo depicting Levi jeans being pulled between two horses, as to advertise the strength of the famous fabric.

By the 1920's jeans had emerged as the bestselling men's work and boy's leisure pants. The 1930s and 40s introduced jeans into movies, particularly western themed ones, and the 60s pioneered jeans as a symbol of teenage rebellion and college aged freedom. It was not until the 1980s that jeans were accepted into higher fashion, each pair sporting the names of top designers. From there the cost rose, along with worldwide demand.

In the years to come, the popularity of jeans would persist while adopting various styles in fits, ranging from straight leg, to boot cut, high rise and low, and finally resting at the modern trend of skinny jeans. Jeans have been successfully woven into the lives of the majority of Americans. They are a perfect combination of leisure and style, and are undeniably the quintessential piece that completes a wardrobe.

Pictures from: www.levistrauss.com/about/heritage (top two) and main.stylelist.com