True American Pride - Real Things to Celebrate About This Nation (#25)
"Jeans represent democracy in fashion." (Giorgio Armani)
So true. As my month of celebrating True American Things to be Proud of starts to come to its end, I couldn't help but include an entry on this classic piece of American fashion and culture. For Entry #25, I celebrate blue jeans. If there's one single piece of clothing that it's safe to say ALL Americans, no matter what race, gender, religion, economic class, or even age, have worn at one time in their life, it is these sturdy trousers.
The design that is the forefather of all of today's current versions of "blue jeans" was patented by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis in 1873. Originally intended to be the "working man's" pants, worn by factory workers, miners, farmers, cowboys, etc. (which by the way is why my father NEVER let me wear jeans to class when I was in high school!), Strauss and Davis' creation morphed into a much broader fashion and cultural statement in the 1950's and then again in the 1980's, and is still growing strong today. They became to be seen, as Armani said above, as a statement of "democracy" and "equality".
So, did you know?…
225 pairs of jeans can be made from 1 bale of cotton.
May 20th is National Blue Jeans Day; is considered the “birthday” of blue jeans because on this day in 1873 Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss and Co. obtained a patent for blue jeans.
Levi Strauss, the creator of the famous brand Levi’s, never wore a pair of his own jeans. He was a wealthy businessman and jeans were made for the poorer people.
Statistically, the average American owns 7 pairs of blue jeans.
In the 1950’s and 60’s, blue jeans were banned at certain places like schools, theaters, and restaurants because they were seen as a symbol of “rebellion” (I told you! My father banned me from wearing them because they were “work clothes”, not suited for school!)
A Japanese company, Yoshida Kogyo Kabushikikaisha, makes 90% of the world’s zippers for jeans. The initials YKK can often be found on the zippers.
So whether you prefer Levis, Wranglers, Lee, Calvin Kleins, Diesel, True Religion, Pepe, Nudie, or Guess jeans...cheers to the jeans and to this classic piece of Americana
"The whole world loves American movies, blue jeans, jazz and rock and roll. It is probably a better way to get to know our country than by what politicians or airline commercials represent." (Billy Joel)