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evolvingthreads

By PERRI CAMELLA

Illustrations by JESSICA SHOKLER

From the coalmines of Califor-nia to the runways of Paris, denim has come a long way

since the coining of its name as the workingman’s uniform. Although first worn in Europe by wealthy work-ingmen during the 1700s, fashion designers worldwide can thank Levi Strauss for first introducing denim jeans to the U.S. in 1890. When the company created its first pair of traditional Levi 501 Jeans, they had no idea it would go on to influence fashion for decades to come.

Gaining popularity after bad boy James Dean was seen rocking a pair of jeans in "Rebel Without A Cause," denim became synonymous with youth and style. The ‘60s saw a skin-nier cut that was popular among rock bands and musicians like The Beatles and The Rolling Stones. Intervening on the journey to a skinny fit, the ‘70s created a whole new meaning for jeans—transforming the slim cut into bellbottoms. They represented that generation’s carefree persona with the

addition of colorful patchwork. The ‘80s introduced acid washing

and the denim on denim look that has recently regained popularity. Deco-rated with brightly colored paintings and sparkly rhinestones, the jean jacket was nothing short of an indi-vidual’s own work of art. Associated with the introduction of techno and house music, it is no wonder ‘80s style jeans introduced the tightest fit yet. The high-waisted style (skinny ankles with rips and holes) was undoubt-edly made to show every curve while shaking to Madonna and Queen’s greatest tunes. Jeans were worn to make a statement and symbolized the generation’s nonconformist attitude.

The '90s opted for a cleaner look, doing away with bellbottoms and embellished jeans, and moving toward a baggier fit to correspond with the newly introduced dance-pop music. Although denim never went out of style, the introduction of khaki and branded sportswear became prominent in the ‘90s and periodically

back of the closet

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THE EVOLUTION OF DENIM

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1960SLIM CUT

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outshined denim. After being fea-tured in Chanel, Dior, and Versace’s summer 1999 collections, denim made a comeback.

Originally considered a cheaper piece of apparel, fashion design-ers have found a way to make jeans and denim pieces a pricier option. Versace introduced a daring look with a waxed effect denim jacket seen in their Fall/Winter 2014 Fashion Show. The jacket, available in dark red or green, paves the way for a trend un-seen in the past: colored jean jackets.

Dolce & Gabbana featured a selection of minimally distressed,

skinny blue jeans in their Fall/Winter 2014 collection. A floral pair, remi-niscent of ‘90s chick Kelly Kapowski from "Saved By The Bell," was also included in the collection.

Burberry went for an equally attention-grabbing look while choos-ing an assortment of colorful skinny jeans for their 2014 collection. Yellow, green, and red—the collection has it all. Careful to create a more modern look compared to the ‘80s bright jean style, Burberry paired both men and women’s colored jeans with a neutral colored top.

Whether it be diamond details,

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1980ACID WASH

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custom alterations, or just a brand name that increases the price of the piece, one can’t help but wonder if more costly options are better quality. In an interview with ABC News, Elle magazine’s fashion news director Anne Slowey said the biggest benefit of spending more on a denim piece is its longevity. The bigger the number on the price tag, the more durable the fabric and color. Whether design-ers have convinced everyone of this theory is a different story.

Before the late 1900s, there wasn’t an array of designers selling high priced denim to consumers. Jeans

were simple but each generation made them their own. Jump to 2014 and high-waisted pants are back. Jean jackets are still in, overalls are now casual street wear, and dis-tressed jeans are more popular than ever. It seems this generation has a case of nostalgia, or maybe just a vast acceptance and respect for each generation’s individual flair. What’s made denim consistently popular in each decade is its versatility. First introduced as a pant, denim has transformed into hats, book bags, shirts, and dresses. It has proven worthy of evolution.