When Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis set out to make sturdy pants in 1871 for the miners left behind from the gold rush, they probably had no idea that they were also about to make fashion history. And yet that is just what they did. Desperate to create functional pants that wouldn’t rip in the rocky terrain of the California mountains, the two set about using a combination of cotton warp and wool weft- a solid fabric commonly referred to as Virginia cloth. This thick fabric was then used to create pants, overalls, and even a few coats before it truly took off and was patented in May of 1873.

Created nearly 150 years ago, jeans still remain a staple of our wardrobes today as they have created an ultimate symbol of both status and inclusivity. If you’re interested in meandering down the lane of this apparel’s history then keep scrolling for more.

1900

Jeans continued to be prominently used as workwear for miners and cowboys alike during the early 1900s. Still, it must be noted that Levi’s was the first brand to place a label on the outside of its items. Something I’d consider particularly prominent as logomania has reared its head on and off throughout recent seasons.

1920-1930

The invention of the silver screen certainly allowed jeans to rise in popularity as stars such as John Wayne began to wear them more and more in the roles he played. Given the fashionable flapper style of the roaring twenties, jeans would still sit in what would now be considered a stylish work wear trend and would not be a massive part of mainstream fashion where three-piece suits and dropped waist dresses maintained popularity until the stock market crash on Black Thursday.

1950

By the time that the ‘50s rolled around though, jeans began to be fully appreciated as the wardrobe pieces they are. With Hollywood’s favorite bad boys often donning a pair in different movies, this gave many guys the nudge they needed to grab some blue jeans and become part of the rat pack. For women, jeans were often found on the ‘bad girl’ as it was considered tomboyish for women to wear them until around the ‘60s.

1960

This was the decade when pre-shrunk jeans officially entered the market, making sizing all the easier for the everyday consumer. Along with this, women in a state of ‘rebellion’ would wear jeans to show their independence. This can be seen with Marilyn Monroe, one of the first actresses to wear jeans on-screen, popularizing what is now known as the ‘boyfriend’ jean. Embroidery, patches, and other details also began to be added to the clothing staple as women began to adopt it.

1976-2000

1976 was the year that designer jeans were first introduced to the runway by none other than Calvin Klein. This shift from every day to designer brought many more people into adoration of comfortable pants. By 1979 Gloria Vanderbilt introduced her collection of jeans. The ‘80s and ‘90s then came in with teenagers wearing mom jeans, Levi 501’s, acid wash, and eventually ripped and grunge-tastic jeans. While designers would continue to use denim in their collections, jeans had once again faded to fashion outskirts and become part of a movement showing cultural unrest as they became a sign of disobedience and unruly ways.

2000-2020

Low-rise jeans took the prominent place as the trendiest item during the 2000s with designers going through the roof. Think Rock & Republic, 7 for all Mankind and Citizens of Humanity- you know, all the labels that the early aughts ‘it’ girls wore! Slowly, low-rise gave way to bootcut, and then out popped the high-rise skinny during the 2010s.

Jeans now seem to be harkening back to the early aughts, but with plenty of eclectic fashion always on designer’s radars it seems that no style is truly off-limits (except for maybe the skinny jean, but we all know that will change in a season or two!)