By Ariana Rathan
What are the pants that come in every color of the rainbow and almost every clothing style?
What are the pants that everyone has a pair of in their closet?
What clothing has been trending for ages?
You don’t have to venture farther than your closet to pull out a pair of jeans!
Jeans are iconic pieces of clothing, as well as historical and common. They can be anything you want them to be, ranging from pants to shirts, shorts, jackets, hats, bathing suits and so many more!
But, where did jeans come from? They were actually used and created as clothing that could withstand the harsh working conditions, such as construction or mining during the mid-1800s and not for the catwalks of fashion weeks.
Jeans were mainly used for hard labor until the 1930s and became popularized by western films. As films evolved and the public attended more of them, jeans became the new trend and an everyday clothing item.
The 1950s look was cuffed and baggy. Then, a T-shirt combined with jeans became the next big thing. Women also started wearing jeans by the ’50s. As the style evolved, people were less afraid to try new and outgoing styles.
Transitioning into the ’60s, more flare was added to jeans. They also started to become more fitted and were tight at the waist. Boot-cut jeans were also created but were not as excessive as regular flare jeans.
In the ’70s flares pants were popularized with rips, frayed hems, patches and were more fitted at the waists were popularized as well. People were not afraid to try new things and add more personality to their clothing. These jeans were more colorful and bright as well.
Music greatly affected the fashion trends of the ’60s, ’70s and now the ’80s. During the ’80s there was more of a punk emo era, where jeans became darker slim flitting. People also wanted comfort, and as a result of this, mom jeans were created–a type of jeans that were baggy and high-waisted. Acid-washed jeans, as well as rips, were popularized and were the look of the century.
Throughout the ’90s, baggy jeans and overalls were in. With a more retro and modern look to them, ’90s jeans were often popularized by television shows that aired during the time.
At the beginning of a new era, the 2000s had seemed to forget the baggy look, and instead, brought in skinny low-waisted jeans. These jeans were the change of the century and were worn by everyone. They even added boot cuts and flares to the low-waisted jeans similar to a ’70s and ’80s look. The low-waisted jeans rested right at the hip bone, exposing the shape and bodice of the waist.
Skinny and low jeans were rising in popularity until the 2010s. People were looking for more comfortable jeans and jeans started to get baggier, cropped, and a new type of jean type arose known as wide-leg pants. High-waisted skinny jeans were also created. The main idea and trends of jeans in the modern-day age are comfort and mobility.
Who knows what new jean trends await in the future, but jeans will forever be an important part of our everyday wear that continues to evolve and change with the times.
