Jeans

Jeans are one of the most used clothing pieces in the world and have been trending since the 1800’s. High waisted, mom, baggy, cropped, flared -- the list is endless. Such a landscape, where nothing is really “in” or “out” in the trend-cycle, makes fashion appear as a way of self-expression. But how did this all begin?

The word “jean” began in the 1800’s. It was a reference to a twill cotton cloth used in trousers. This textile soon combined with the garment it was used for. Blue jeans, recently came by the name of ‘denim’, and originally were made by this fabric. They were mainly manufactured in the French town of Nîmes. By the 20th century, ‘jean’ earned the name for a wide range of cotton or denim informal trousers. The worldwide denim industry is only growing bigger. Recently, people have found multiple ways to present denim, such as denim jackets, dresses, shirts, hats -- and so on. According to Global Industry Analytics Inc, the denim industry was worth more than $60 billion in 2020 and would grow another $20 billion in just 6 years. 

There are many famous denim companies, and an obvious example would be Levi Strauss & Co.. Levis have stood out from the crowd due to one factor -- its increased durability. Starting off as a heavy-duty work item, it now has become a fashion piece and is used globally. 

In this era, universal trends have significantly declined due to multiple factors -- social media, globalisation, etc. It only takes about three months until a new trend comes out. The manufacturing time has also rapidly decreased as nowadays, companies can gather information on consumer tastes much quicker and more efficiently. In a matter of days, they collect the data and start manufacturing products based on their audience’s preferences. In just few weeks, it is brought to the retail shop for people to purchase.

So, what are the perfect jeans? As Georgia Armani once said, “Jeans represent democracy in fashion”. A good pair of jeans need to be universally available -- is it affordable? Is it good for daily use? Is there a vast variety? 

However, it also depends on your personal preferance. Some people, such as I, prefer more flared jeans as I think it compliments my legs and makes them look longer. Some also like skinny jeans as it shows their silhouette. My advice would just go jeans shopping and explore the wide varieties of this incredible industry.