Denim is one of the most popular and useful staples of fashion and has been an essential piece of the fashion puzzle for over a century. It has a long and exciting history, and it’s not hard to see why denim is still favored by fans of many different styles around the world.
Whether you’re on the search for a classic pair of Levi’s or a customizable denim jacket, there is a piece of denim for everyone.
Explore the history of vintage denim and learn about where to find the best denim clothes today.
Denim at a Glance
Denim is one of the most ubiquitous materials available on the market today, and it has a long and exciting history to thank for that.
The Early Origins
Denim, as we know it today, has been around since the end of the 19th century. However, the origin of denim as a textile is actually much older.
History indicates that the technique for making jeans, weaving cotton in a diagonal pattern, can be traced back to1500s Italy and France. It is believed that the names Genoa, Italy, and Nimes, France provided us with the words “jeans” and “denim”—or de Nimes—today.
These fabrics were typically worn by sailors, who needed materials that could be worn wet or dry, and later on, workers of the lower class relied on this product to keep up with their professions.
An American Product
The European origin of denim is important to note because of the iconic Levi’s brand.
Levi Strauss moved from Germany to New York in the 1900s and then eventually to San Francisco. He partnered with a tailor named Jacob Davis. Through careful experimentation, they began to use rivets designed to protect the pants from fraying at vulnerable corners.
These pants were worn by many individuals in the working class, including California miners, factory workers, and farmhands. Eventually, they were produced as the overalls we know today during World War II.
The Influence of Hollywood
Despite the success of jeans as working man’s wear, American clothing at the time was still refined and elegant. It wasn’t until Hollywood started utilizing denim as fashion statements that it spread beyond utilitarian use.
In the film Rebel Without a Cause, James Dean’s character came to represent teenage rebellion. The denim craze spread to the youth of the 1950s and 1960s until denim became more widely available and socially accepted by the 1970s.
Dream of Jean
With such a long and exciting history, it’s little wonder we all still love classic denim pieces, from vintage jeans to the denim jacket. Denim is the jack of all trade fabrics. It can be dressed up with leather heels or kept casual with combat boots and a baseball cap.
When you’re ready to find the perfect vintage denim for your wardrobe, explore the growing collection here at Thrilling and enjoy a little piece of denim history to call your own.
Sources:
How the Birthplace of Denim is Making Jeans Again | BBC
James Dean: An Enduring Influence on Modern Fashion | The Guardian
Vogue Encyclopedia: The History of Denim Jeans