9 Vintage Things You Might Not Know About Denim Jeans

1. What IS denim?

Denim is a “cotton twill” textile which causes the diagonal ribbing on the underside of the denim garment.

2. The origin of the words “jean” and “denim”

The word “denim” comes from a fabric called “serge” which was often referred to as “serge de Nimes”. This was later shortened to “denim”. The word “jean” refers to the birthplace of the modern denim trouser, and comes from the French word for “Genoa” (Genes). At about the same time, the use by sailors of denim in Dhunga, India led to the invention of the “dungarees”.

3. Why are Jeans classically blue?

Denim is naturally white, and is dyed blue using an indigo dye, although “sulphur dying” is used in the production of jeans in other colours such as black and red.

4. The Genoese Navy wore Jeans

One of the earliest recorded uses of “jeans” is by the Genoese Navy in the 1500s. At the time, denim trousers were made in Chieri, Italy (near Turin) and were sold through the port of Genoa, capital of the independent Republic of Genoa. The Genoese navy used jeans as an all-purpose trouser which would work both in wet and dry conditions, and which would allow sailors to roll up the trouser legs for use in mopping the decks. The jeans were washed by being dragged in large nets off the back of the ship, which over time turned the material white sue to the salt and sun bleaching effects.

5. What are the most popular fits and types of jeans?

The most popular fits of jeans include Baggy, Bootcut, Boyfriend, Carpenter, Cropped, Flare, Embroidered, High-waisted, Relaxed, Skinny, Straight-leg, Wide leg and Drain Pipe.

6. Levi Strauss and the invention of the modern “riveted Jean”

Levi Strauss was originally a German dry goods merchant who sold blue jeans under the “Levi’s” brand in the 1850s. At the same time a tailor called Jacob Davis regularly purchased denim cloth from Strauss. He came up with the idea of adding copper rivets to the jeans to improve the durability of the garment in certain stress points. Without the funds to obtain a purchase, Davis and Strauss went into business together, obtaining a patent for “improvement in fastening pocket openings” in 1873. The rest is history!

7. No, these are NOT Jeans!

Trousers made of corduroy are often incorrectly referred to as jeans, as are those made of canvas. Jeans are only jeans if they are made of denim! Also not to be confused with jeans are other non-trouser clothing made of denim such as Overalls, Shorts, Dresses, Denim skirts, Shirts, Jackets, Bags, Capris, Cut offs, Daisy Dukes, shoes, hats and socks.

8. The American obsession with Jeans

Jeans were first used in America in the 1700s, although they only became ultra-fashionable with teenage America in the 1950s with brands such as Wrangler and Levi. Since then the popularity has rise and fallen, but now remains a main-stay of American fashion; from babies to pensioners and from executives to farm workers due to style, durability and comfort. America spent a staggering 14 billion dollars in 2004 on denim jeans!

9. Recycled Jeans

As well as second hand vintage jeans appearing in many fashionable vintage clothing shops across the world, jeans are now being commonly used as loft insulation in a material called “Bonded UltraTouch” which is made from the denim materials, often using off-cuts in the manufacturing process.