From cowboy garb to vintage tees, jeans have come a long way since their Western days. Over the years, fashionable icons have put their own stylish spins on denim, morphing it from rugged workwear to a stylish, contemporary statement piece. In this article, we’ll explore the denim style evolution — how fashion icons throughout history have reinvented denim and shaped its signature style over time.
1. A Historical Look at the Denim Revolution
The Denim Revolution has been part of fashion culture for centuries, ever since its invention in the late 19th century. Its humble beginnings, however, are what have made it such a timeless classic.
The original use of denim material was for miners and railroad workers in the late 19th century. The fabric was chosen for its rough and durable qualities and provided the perfect combination of protection and movement. During this time, the simple look was adopted in its most traditional form – the five-pocket, mid-rise work jean.
In the 20th century, denim was adapted to create something far different than work overalls. Denim clothing was seen as an innovative form of self-expression, with every man being able to choose his own individual style. As such, jeans became a symbol of youth culture freedom and revolution.
The Denim Revolution was given even more impact in the 1960s with the rise of counterculture movements. Denim was seen as a form of revolution – very different from traditional clothing. This made it the ideal choice for individuals looking to stand out from the crowd. In the 1970s, trends in fits and styles began to evolve and expand, reaching the far flung corners of the fashion world.
The Denim Revolution also extended further than clothing. It began to manifest in the form of accessories, including:
- Jewelry
- Footwear
- Lace
- Fringing
- Unique decorative pieces
The next generation of the Denim Revolution was in the 1980s, as the fabric began to be increasingly used in mainstream fashion designs. It became a way to express personal style and paved the way for the jeans of today.
2. From Workwear to Streetwear: The Metamorphosis of Denim
Denim is synonymous with blue jeans. That’s probably due to its humble beginnings on the farm in the USA and the fact it is still most commonly seen in the form of apparel most people wear on an everyday basis. But denim has come a long way, and with the help of a few trendsetters and designers, it has developed from its workwear heritage into a streetwear staple.
For many decades, denim was designed to bring utility and durability to the wearer in occupational settings, being made in heavier weights and indigo-dyes. However, during the 1950s, denim began to be integrated into the mainstream fashion which saw heavier faded and bleached washes become more popular. This change in demand set the wheels in motion for denim to be further reworked, tailored and designed to be a lot more fashionable.
In the late 80s and early 90s, Japanese ready-to-wear designer’s began to adopt and interpret denim for their collections. Denim was given a more fashion-forward edge through adaptation of different techniques, such as distressing, washing and crinkling. Since then, it has grown into its own separate entity, combining classic denim styles with innovation. This has enabled denim to be excitingly reworked and altered in detail to produce high-end fashion garments.
- The 90s – Baggy & Casual – with designer brands like Calvin Klein & Levis pushing denim to the forefront, the early ’90s saw a relaxed and somewhat baggy silhouette.
- Y2K Aesthetic – Back to Basics – as Y2K approached there was a definite shift towards a more ‘back to basics’ and minimalist look, with jeans going from dark washes to lighter and tighter silhouettes.
- A New Wave – Denim on Denim – and finally, denim as a whole has never been as popular as it is now. Double denim, patchwork, frayed hems and extreme rips are all examples of how denim has been re-imagined to fit with current trends.
Modern day denim is a cultural staple and fashion statement for many, and it can be seen regularly on the streets today, each with its own style and aesthetic. Denim is an ever-evolving style which will keep continuously adapting to fit with the current climate. It’s clear to see denim is not only changing with time, but definitely has left its original workwear background far behind.
3. Fashion Icons Who Helped Transform Denim Style
Denim has long been the staple of fashion and the style remains timeless. From Jane Birkin and Brigitte Bardot to James Dean, denim has always been a fashion statement. But these fashion icons helped transform denim style and make them a dominant trend in the 20th century:
- Marilyn Monroe: If anybody ever loved their jeans it was Marilyn Monroe. The iconic star made denim part of her signature style, pairing the slacks or jeans with a white blouse, pearls, and often provocative poses. Her style was pared-down, sexy, and effortless.
- John Lennon: John Lennon was one of the earlier adopters of denim style, often opting for his iconic black jeans tucked into his boots. This style would go on to become a definitive fashion statement.
- Michael Jackson: Michael Jackson made denim glamorous with his iconic “Thriller” look that featured a slim cut red leather zipper jacked with black denim jeans. It was an edgy look that resonated and would inform multiple styles today.
The enduring popularity of denim is rooted in pop culture’s ability to make the look fashion forward and still accessible. From the beginning, it appealed to a wide variety of people and the style has stayed timeless. It’s no wonder that the fashion icons mentioned above continue to inspire denim style to this day.
4. The Continuing Evolution of Denim Fashion
Jeans and denim have been favourites in wardrobes for decades, and they continue to be a staple across generations. From timeless classics, to innovative new styles, designers’ creativity in denim fashion shows no signs of slowing down.
- Jeans Styles – With so many variations in style, fit and wash, jeans are an excellent way to vary your look. Whether opting for mom jeans, a skinny fit, distressed denim or a light wash, there’s something for everyone.
- Denim Jackets – With its classic shape, a denim jacket is a timeless classic perfect for transitioning from cool summer nights into chillier autumn days. You can rock it with a graphic t-shirt and a pair of light jeans for a casual look.
- Denim Skirts – Denim skirts make a great alternative to jeans, for an elegant look. Longer lengths are perfect for the office, whilst a mini skirt is great for the weekends.
- Ripped Denim – All manner of distressed denim surfaces to create unique patterns, with frayed edges, rips and tears. This trend really makes a statement, but avoid using too many elements or else it can look too busy.
Whilst denim fashion evolves season after season, the best part is that it’s wearable all year round. With so much versatility, it’s no wonder that denim is a wardrobe staple in every style-conscious person’s wardrobe.
Anderson gave denim its moment to sparkle in the eighties while Jourdan weaved his own passions into the fabric giving us an era of romance and fantasy. Then in the nineties, Axl Spiked and destroyed denim giving it a punk and rebellious spirit, which would inspire generations to come. Denim style is remarkable and ever-evolving, with each iconic fashion icon giving us a unique interpretation of denim and their own journey. Through denim, fashion icons can express their creativity, and it is remarkable to see how they have reinvented denim over time. As we wrap up this exploration of the fascinating evolution of denim styles, it’s certain that denim will be here to stay, creating more stories to be told.
