The history of jeans/denims dates back a long way with a humble beginning as a work-wear for miners and cowboys. Gaining huge popularity, jeans became the most preferred choice of 1950 pinups and rockers soon after. Arguably, Levi Stauss & Co, a company headed by Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis, had been the major commercial label credited for making the first pair of blue jeans.Originally, natural ‘Indigo dye’ was used to color the fabric but over the years it has been replaced by lab manufactured synthetic dyes. And also the reason why we can achieve many different looks including the crease and wear lines, acid washes and stone washes. Or distressed looks with ease.

Changing fashion styles and attitudes alter the aesthetics of the blue jeans over a period of time.

Initially all the jeans had buttons in their fly instead of zippers and they still remain to be used in this way with metallic zipper styles.

In late1970’s with the introduction of a new strain of synthetic fiberas ingredient lead to new category of stretch jeans, thus slimming down the shape and fit of jeans from baggy styles.

This gave rise to designer jeans in the fashion and life space.The particular style of denim changes over the years- some decades see a rise in baggy jeans others follow up with tight low-rise movements. The trends are so specific that you can easily figure out which year a photo is from just by looking at the style of jeans.

The following timeline will chart the evolution of jeans every decade:

The 1920s

While the style of 1920 is typically remembered as the time of Fringe covered flapper dresses and pin striped suits, denim jeans were equally as prominent in society. This labor friendly fashion provided ranches, farmers and miners a new everyday ensemble.

The 1930s

The heavy influence of popular Western movies introduced US to the idea of denim as a form of women’s wear.Marlon Brando and James Dean made it popular for men by featuring them in movies.

The 1940s

During the World War II women joined the workforce which inspired many changes in women’s fashion. This lead to the increase in popularity of denim in womenswear.

The 1950s

Jeans became a part of the mainstream fashion. Stiff denim jeans featuring a thick cuff at the ankle quickly gained popularity among the youth of America. This was reinforced by cultural icons such as Elvis Presley and John Wayne.

The 1960s

Americans began sporting bright colors loud patterns flared jeans and other trends we now associate with hippies. Towards the end of this decade the counterculture movement gave life to a new crusade the flower power movement. Flowers began appearing in embroidery on denim jacket and jeans.

The 1970s

Due to the late 60s flower power movement, the introduction of glam rock and prevalent television shows of the time, Bell bottom jeans dominated the nation by the 1970s

The 1980s

In the following decade denim underwent yet another dramatic change. By the early 1980 the public was eagerly swapping their once beloved Bell bottom jeans for the high-waist, acid washed and tightly pegged style.

The 1990s

Fashion was heavily swayed by the rise in popularity of the Grunge subculture which was primarily perpetuated by punk rock bands. In particular denim reached what was perhaps its peak popularity during this decade. Mom jeans, oversized denim jackets and denim overalls were seen in masses.

The 2000s

This new century was marked by denim mini-skirts, heavy embroidery and the extremely low rise cut.

The 2010s

By this time denim had seen hundreds of variations in style. It was during this decade, however, that denim seemed to finally find a comfortable spot in our closets in the form of the wearable skinny jeans. This casual trend of jeans has featured a variety of washes and cuts while overall successfully occupying classrooms offices streets and hearts across the world.

Jeans have become the ultimate fashion item today, proving them to be consumer favorites over and over again. Wearing jeans fashionably has become as important to personal style as the little black dress for women or a good old jacket for men.