It's really something to research JEANS!!! I really hadn't given much thought to JEANS, they are a garment that I wear almost daily and own numerous pairs, never enough JEANS!!!, yet I know little about jeans and their history. I seems according to my online research jeans date ack to the 1500's. They were, of course, work pants for the workers!!!
In the mid 1800's the work pants were made of indigo blue twill and brown cotton duck. The blue cotton, jeans, were the most comfy and wore the best so the brown duck fell by the wayside. America's story starts with 2 German immigrants one in the dry goods business and one a tailor. Jacob Davis lived in Reno Nevada and was a tailor and Levi Strauss lived on the East Coast and his family was in the dry goods business. In the 1870's Levi moved to San Fransico to expand the family business and was introduced to Jacob who had invented the idea of rivets to reinforce the pocket and seams of his jeans (work pants), he needed a patent and Levi had the $68. for the patent and they formed a partnership. So on May 20,1873 two German immigrants took denim, thread and metal and created blue jeans, and patented blue jeans, a fashion that is still going strong worldwide!!! Jacob oversaw the production and Levi opened 2 factories in San Fransico. In 1885 a brand new pair of Levi's cost $1.25. The patent held 20 years then it went into public domain and then everyone could use rivets in their jeans!!!
The fashion aspect of jeans dates back to a 1935 issue of Vogue featuring blue jeans for women, must have been an interesting story!!!! In the 1950's radical high schoolers wore jeans to be on the edge. The 1960's were all about the Hippies and embroidered jeans and jeans made into skirts!! The 1970's ME GENERATION were all about jeans being sexy and a fashion statement. This is about the time Calvin Klein started putting his name on everyones butt!!! And the beat moved on and interestingly we are still advertising each brand in some way shape of form!!!! In 1988 Vogue featured Guess jeans on the cover in stonewash,WOW glad that look is over, along with the zippered ankles??!!! By the 1990's jeans were everywhere, from the Country Western dance floor to red carpet to baggy, hip hop and rock stars to everyday people!! Jeans had taken over, they were acceptable everywhere.
Now in 2010 jeans are for all ages and all places. People wear them to church to dinner to games to shop. And some jeans cost as much as a beater car. It's amazing where jeans have gone, I'm guessing Levi and Jacob would be amazed at the transformation of their meager denim, thread and metal and todays styles!!!
Now, how do we find the perfect pair of jeans???? With the popularity of jeans and the age groups and figure types that want jeans the manufactures have had to redefine their designs. Lucky for us because every company has worked hard to accomodate us the consumer. Basically all one really needs to do is go to your favorite store and they will have a variety of styles that fit your needs, relaxed, curvy, hip hugger, just below the waist, at the waist, long, short, average, stretch denim, skinny, boot cut, wide leg, bell bottom, all cotton, you name it it's been addressed.
For the middle aged woman I suggest Talbots, Lands End, Eddie Bauer as they are geared toward the conventional, tailored woman. There are many more brands but to look for are waistbands that curve and sit right below the natural waist, they look and feel better than straight bands at the waist. A tad of elastic is good too for comfort!!! Bells and skinny legs aren't always the best, look for a straight leg or boot cut, much more flattering. Always try to keep your hem as long as possible as it really does give you height. And same goes for skirts short does not make you taller!!!!!
One brand I highly recommend is Not Your Daughters Jeans or NYDJ,
On Sale- NYDJ they have a tummy control and butt lifting qualities and they fit like a dream, they are a bit expensive but worth every penney,they are online, Nordstoms and some specialty shops. Check online for stores nearest you or call around.
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And last but not least dark jeans are more flattering than white or light colors. Every wardrobe needs a great pair of black jeans they go with everything and can be dressed up or down. You can step outside the box and pair a wool blazer with a pair of good fitting jeans, or a beaded dress up top goes good too!!!! And boots to heels to sandals it all works with jeans. And if you are flat bottomed look for jeans with pockets or embellishments on the butt for a better look!!!
And for the creative side always remember jeans are a great way to show off YOU!!! Jeans are the best meduim for painting, dyeing, applique, patching, embroidery hand or machine, you can do whatever your heart desires!!! Now go find a pair and have some fun!!!!!!!
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