Jeans Fever

By Jade Maindron

Jeans were originally worn by miners but later became the favoured look for music stars and counterculture movements. Nowadays, they are showcased in high-fashion shows and are at the forefront of current trends. Jeans have been in production since the 16th century and remain a staple in the fashion world–standing the test of time. With a wide selection of styles available, they can be found in various types of clothing and accessories, including dresses, jackets, skirts, bags, and of course, iconic jeans. There is no  doubt that denim jeans are a timeless fashion trend that will remain popular for a long time.

Jeans History

We’ve got denim fabric to thank for the classic indigo blue jeans we all know and love today. The word denim actually comes from Nîmes, a region in France, back when the fabric was made from a blend of wool and silk. Nowadays, denim is a tightly woven cotton fabric, mainly used to make jeans, and it’s widely popular in the United States and England because they were first sold there. In 1873, a tailor named Jacob Davis and a man named Levi Strauss, who owned a fabric company in San Francisco called Levi Strauss and Co.,  joined forces and became renowned for patenting jeans, including the iconic Levi 501. Originally designed for workers, jeans were appreciated for their durability, comfort, and versatility, making them super practical. 

Although they’re often associated with the colour blue, jeans, today, are available in a medley of colours, and can be adapted to any style or look. 

Jeans through the years 

Before they became a trend, jeans played a significant role in counter-culture due to their association with the social, political, and cultural movements of the 1950s and 1960s. They were seen as a form of rebellion and freedom, especially in the rock scene and hippie culture. Moreover, young people adopted jeans as a symbol of their unique identity and social status, which contributed to their widespread popularity.

During the rock era of the 1970s and 1980s, musicians often wore ripped and faded jeans on stage, which helped boost their popularity among young people. In fact, you can find this style of jeans in the Knwls spring/summer 2023 collection by the duo Charlotte Knowles and Alexandre Arsenault–a long, faded-style denim coat cinched at the waist–grunge-chic at its best.

Jeans also became a symbol of unity and acceptance bringing together people from different social and cultural backgrounds. They were worn by women in the 1960s and 1970s as a symbol–challenging gender roles and social expectations. The 1990s hip-hop culture was marked by the style of wearing low-rise, baggy jeans. Today, jeans are considered a unisex garment worn by everyone. These social movements have paved the way for the casual and comfortable fashion of jeans that we can’t seem to live without. 

The jeans: a fashion trend that is everywhere 

In popular culture, denim jeans have undergone several transformations. Let’s look at the Canadian Tuxedo– wearing denim from head to toe–just like Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake did at the 2001 American Music Awards. Fashion trends are cyclical and always resurface again and again. Although high-waisted jeans are still in fashion, the Y2K trend has certainly brought back low-rise jeans. One wonders, will the skinny jeans trend come back someday?

Beyond pants, the long denim skirt is a piece of clothing that has been spotted on the runways of some of the Haute fashion houses such as Givenchy, Burberry, and others, as well as in street style-focused boutiques like this washed denim skirt sold by Estudio Niksen.

 

Spring/Summer 2023 Jean Trend 

Jeans are everywhere on and off the runways! Over half of the fashion designers showcased denim in their  Spring 2023 collection – an increase of 64% compared to the previous year. 

For the occasion, Burberry featured a look with long flared pants in an unusual cut paired with a fitted jacket - both pieces made of the same bright blue denim evoking a chic and casual style. 

On the Jacquemus side, we find blue baggy jeans matched with a classic cut blazer, giving the look a modern and comfortable vibe. Along with clothing, luxury brands have introduced denim in their accessories lines, as well. Givenchy presented a denim handbag to complete an all-jeans outfit.

Jeans are the yesterday, the today and the tomorrow. Their iconic style remains embedded in the hearts of people everywhere–no matter their age or style.  After all, life is better in denim jeans!