Jeans are so well-rooted in our fashion culture that it’s hard to think about a time when people didn’t immediately think ‘denim’ the moment you brought up the subject. However, there were times when the jeans didn’t receive the recognition and popularity they hold today.
In fact, the history of jeans had a few ups and downs and they even played an important role in supporting women’s fight for their rights (crazy, right?).
Let’s have a look at the way jeans became a fashion icon and how they got to be entangled with feminism.
The Beginnings
Though it may seem hard to believe, the jeans started as work pants and they were mostly designed for men who worked in harsh environments. Things started to change in 1873 when Levi Strauss designed a new pair of pants, made from denim but with metal rivets to the pockets and a button fly. This was the first pair of blue jeans and represent the foundation stone of the entire denim industry.
Up until the 1950s, the jeans were still considered to be work pants and were designed for men who needed a sturdy fabric that was durable. Starting with the 1950s, jeans started to appear in Hollywood movies as a symbol of rebellion against the status quo.
From this moment forward, the history of the jeans becomes quite interesting as they were seen as something controversial and provocative. There were even locations and institutions that banned jeans from their premises, which only strengthened their power in the youth culture.
Jeans & Women’s Rights
The jeans were first launched during a time period when women’s clothing was entirely focused on skirts and dresses. As such, there is no wonder that denim pants were only designed for men in the workforce!
Still, this didn’t stop rebellious women from adopting this new clothing item and making it their own. Women who rode horses or engaged in physical activities (for work or pleasure) adopted jeans and put the basis for a new type of fashion.
But jeans are not just about standing up against the outrageous standards society has imposed on women everywhere. Jeans were also used in the fight for gender equality, especially after an Italian court ruling that angered women everywhere. In protest, female lawmakers started wearing jeans to work, which is not considered appropriate attire.
Jeans Today
Nowadays jeans are everywhere and it’s hardly a fashion statement or a rebellion to be seen wearing them. However, there are still locations where you might not be welcomed should you wear the wrong kind.
For instance, high-end casinos won’t grant you entrance if you wear ripped jeans (which are extremely popular again) or other items of clothing with holes or tears. But this is also true about cocktail events, weddings, or other highly formal events. While no one will turn you away from the door, you will be out of place wearing regular jeans on such occasions.
So, if you want to feel comfy-cozy and wear your favorite ripped jeans while enjoying some gambling, it’s best to do it online on a site like Casumo. The same, it’s best to watch a play or a movie on TV than to go to a luxurious theater wearing casual jeans.
Even though they are dominating the casual segment of fashion, the jeans are still considered the pants of the workforce and they don’t sit too well in a high-end setting. Of course, some designers managed to create gorgeous pieces that transcend these limitations, but as a general rule, it’s best to avoid wearing jeans at very formal events (such as a court date or a job interview).
Overall, jeans made quite a mark on history and proved to be one of the most durable fashion items ever (time-wise). And the story is not over; there are still so many things they could inspire!
