Denim 101: What Makes Jeans Such a Popular Piece of Clothing

If there is one piece of clothing that is known throughout the world, it’s the good old classic pair of jeans. Worn by men, women and children, they are one of the most popular forms of trouser or pants (depending on where you reside in the world) and have been the preferred choice of clothing for many generations.

Though the concept or jeans and the denim fabric being traced back to the 1600’s, it wasn’t until the 1850s that they became the item that we so dearly love. The original form of jeans date back from over 400 years ago were a form of clothing that were worn by working men. 

The fabric was rough and coarse, but durable. The form that we know of today was the result of a creation by Levis Strauss, who opened up a store in San Francisco where he started selling his creations. The rest as they say is history.

There are a number of factors as to why jeans are such a popular piece of clothing. The 1960’s is when they really took off as a choice of clothing for the younger generation, though they were popular a few decades earlier, as denim was often worn by off-duty American soldiers during WW2.

In this article we will take a look at what makes them an essential part of our wardrobe.

One great thing with jeans is that they can do with all types of outfits. Whether you are looking for something very casual, or smart, jeans will do the job. They can match so well with other types of garments such as simple white t-shirts, to shirts, waistcoats and many other things.

They can be worn with trainers and other comfortable styles of shoe, cowboy or biker boots, or even with something formal such as a pair of loafers or brogues. Jeans, such as those you can find at the Freddy store, are a piece of clothing unlike any other.

One aspect of denim is the fact that it is a very strong and durable fabric. This is one of the main reasons it was used by Levi Strauss when creating his patented pair of blue jeans. They were originally made for gold prospectors during the gold rush of the 1850s, and their pockets were such a size as to be able to carry any gold nuggets that the prospectors were lucky enough to come across. 

The prospectors worked hard and for very long hours in all types of weather. The jeans that Strauss created were perfect for these individuals and additions were even made to the original designs including the rivets found on the seams and the pocket corners, to add strength to them.

Even today, jeans are a versatile and durable item of clothing, and can withstand a lot of use in all types of weather. This is something that can’t be said for many alternative forms of garment.

Jeans also have a unique advantage that literally no other piece of clothing has. When they age, they still look great and can be worn. Many jean manufacturers create what are known as the distressed look, where the jeans that they produce have an aged look and feel about them. Any jeans you buy can potentially become a new pair of distressed jeans for you over time. In fact, many people prefer to purchase authentically aged jeans, rather than a new pair that have simply been made with the worn look.

One of the most important factors with regards to anything that we buy is the price. It’s something that has a huge influence on our decision making, whether it be for a new car, a laptop, a gift for a friend or loved one, or even a pair of jeans. 

Jeans are extremely good value for money, and will often outlast many other types of trouser. You can find a good pair of jeans for around $50, though if you are looking for a pair made by a popular brand such as Levi, Wrangler, Armani or Calvin Klein, then you are obviously going to be paying quite a bit more. 

Going back to an earlier point – jeans are a great piece of clothing in the sense that you can mix and match them with other items. This is something you aren’t able to do if you were to purchase a pair of formal trousers, or a dress. 

You could even look at purchasing a good pair of jeans as an investment. You certainly won’t need to be thinking about replacing them for a number of years, and as mentioned previously, they are a garment that grows old gracefully.

One of the great things about jeans is that they are extremely low maintenance. They won’t require you to wash them after every wear, unlike a lot of other clothing. In fact, it is recommended by many people to only wash them sparingly throughout the year. 

If you only wear them once or twice a week, then there is no need to give them a wash more than a few times during the year. Of course, if you have an accident and drop food or drink over them, then they are definitely going to need a spin in your washing machine, but for general use, washing them frequently is not necessary. Not only does this preserve the denim, but also saves you on washing powder and water.

With so many manufacturers making jeans all over the world, they are one of the easiest pieces of clothing to find. You’ll find them available in most clothes stores, street markets, as well as being available to purchase online. They come in styles and sizes to cater for all individuals – men, women and children.

Jeans have been part of our lives for more than 100 years, and they don’t look like they are going to be replaced by something new anytime soon. Though style and colours will change, their original concept of being a durable and affordable piece of clothing is sure to stand the test of time for generations to come.