People all over the world love blue jeans and other garments made from the heavy cotton twill known as denim. Americans in particular love denim clothing and accessories. In fact, many erroneously think that this material is an American invention, and that the world-wide craze is just one more example of USA global influence. American teenagers in post World War II times adopted jeans as their generational fashion statement, and the faded blue pants have never lost popularity.
The original heavy cotton twill (diagonally woven fabric) held up to hard use and softened as it was worn and washed for a comfortable fit. It also faded where it was rubbed or stretched, becoming the emblem of a hard-working man. Today, manufacturers fake that look, so people can have it without all the effort. Some fashionable pants have more holes than whole cloth.
Once all jeans were blue, since the original fabric invented in Italy was died with natural indigo. Now, of course, they come in every color and can be made with synthetic fibers or cotton combined with spandex for stretchy fit and comfort. Although the word itself still means the original faded blue, fashion has brought infinite variety to clothes and other fashion details.
This sturdy fabric developed in Genoa was used for military uniforms and factory wear. Two California suppliers made history when they fashioned overalls and later waist-high pants from the heavy cotton, adding rivets to zipper and pocket seams for longer wear. Known as 'levis' after Levi Strauss, one of the partners, the trousers were also popular with cowboys. The mystique of the Old West helped make levis an American icon.
North America is still the world's largest market, but jeans and other denim clothing are worn virtually everywhere. Once considered working clothes and then informal wear, jeans are now high fashion, with people paying astronomical prices for designer labels. They are worn with a sport coat in the evening or a tweed jacket for country chic.
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 is now a color, the faded blue of a well-worn and well-loved garment. Even the 'stone-washed' craze for pre-faded and pre-washed garments of a grayer tint did not erase the predominance of the original blue. The world has never tired of its blue jeans.
All across America, from Laurel, MD where every groom on the racetrack wears it to the Los Angeles movie scene, denim is king. Even well-dressed Labs wear it tied around their necks. The garments made by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis over 150 years ago changed the nation and the world.
The original heavy cotton twill (diagonally woven fabric) held up to hard use and softened as it was worn and washed for a comfortable fit. It also faded where it was rubbed or stretched, becoming the emblem of a hard-working man. Today, manufacturers fake that look, so people can have it without all the effort. Some fashionable pants have more holes than whole cloth.
Once all jeans were blue, since the original fabric invented in Italy was died with natural indigo. Now, of course, they come in every color and can be made with synthetic fibers or cotton combined with spandex for stretchy fit and comfort. Although the word itself still means the original faded blue, fashion has brought infinite variety to clothes and other fashion details.
This sturdy fabric developed in Genoa was used for military uniforms and factory wear. Two California suppliers made history when they fashioned overalls and later waist-high pants from the heavy cotton, adding rivets to zipper and pocket seams for longer wear. Known as 'levis' after Levi Strauss, one of the partners, the trousers were also popular with cowboys. The mystique of the Old West helped make levis an American icon.
North America is still the world's largest market, but jeans and other denim clothing are worn virtually everywhere. Once considered working clothes and then informal wear, jeans are now high fashion, with people paying astronomical prices for designer labels. They are worn with a sport coat in the evening or a tweed jacket for country chic.
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 is now a color, the faded blue of a well-worn and well-loved garment. Even the 'stone-washed' craze for pre-faded and pre-washed garments of a grayer tint did not erase the predominance of the original blue. The world has never tired of its blue jeans.
All across America, from Laurel, MD where every groom on the racetrack wears it to the Los Angeles movie scene, denim is king. Even well-dressed Labs wear it tied around their necks. The garments made by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis over 150 years ago changed the nation and the world.
No comments:
Post a Comment