Denim through the decades

The popularity of denim clothing didn't really take off until the mid-1800s when Levi Strauss created a pair of tough work pants made from denim. These were strong enough to last through years of hard labour and comfortable enough to wear all day long. They quickly became popular with miners and blue-collar workers who needed durable clothing that could stand up to their physical labours!

The idea was to be able to wash your clothes every day, which wasn't common practice at that time. Dr. Levi Strauss was trained as a dry goods merchant and started working for his uncle's dry goods business in 1853. He and Jacob Davis created the first pair of blue jeans in 1873 using rivets on the pockets and denim fabric from Nimes, France (now Nîmes). At first, people thought that wearing blue jeans would be a crime! But then people started to wear them more widely. Blue jeans are still a symbol of freedom and individuality today.

Modern jeans began to appear in the 1920s, but sales were largely confined to the working people of the western United States, such as cowboys, lumberjacks, and railroad workers.

Fun fact: In 1927 jean shorts were introduced for women after being worn by sailors for years prior.

You may have heard of jean shorts, but did you know that they were introduced for women in 1927? Jean shorts were originally worn by sailors and soldiers who had been stationed in the tropics. Since these people lived and worked in hot climates, they wore very loose-fitting long pants to keep cool. The men who wore them soon adopted the style as their own and shorter versions of these pants came into fashion among young Americans when the war ended.

The first jean shorts were cut to fit like a pair of Bermuda shorts (which you may still see today), except they had pockets on both sides and buttoned up at the waist with only one snap instead of two or three like regular short pyjama bottoms do today!

Denim truly began to take off in 1930s with the help of American Westerns. Actors like John Wayne wore denim on screen, aiding its growing popularity. Wayne wore 1938 Levi’s 501s, which were first introduced in that same year, on screen in his film Stagecoach. His outfit would typify a generation’s image of the cowboy.

Denim for women was inspired by a 1934 edition of Vogue magazine, that suggested putting pockets on jeans for women.

In 1934, Vogue magazine suggested putting pockets on jeans for women—the first time this happened anywhere in the world—and so began a new trend: fashionable denim!

In the 1940s, there was a lot of change. The decade marked the rise of denim and its transformation from workwear to fashion statement, which we're still seeing today. But this transition wasn't without conflict: World War II brought many challenges and changes as well.

In 1947 high waist jeans were first introduced and began slowly taking over the market as it became standardized in 1950.

Deemed “the decade of change” by many historians, the 1950s saw many different styles come into vogue that still influence fashion today. Jeans became more and more mainstream and ingrained in pop culture with actors such as James Dean and Marlon Brando wearing it on and off screen. Casual denim looks including the classic white t-shirt and blue jeans combo became popular in the late 50s and boxy cuffed jeans like these were the style of choice....

While most people still wore blue denim in the 1960s, there was an increase in colorful options such as orange, green, red, purple or yellow—all with white stitching!

The mid-1960s were all about flared jeans.

Celebrities like Sonny and Cher, Twiggy, Mick Jagger, and Jimi Hendrix made the style even more popular. Boot cut jeans like these were also very popular at the time, especially towards the end of the decade.

The ‘70s saw jeans becoming more fun; bell bottoms, patchwork, and frayed edges. Jeans were big, loud, and everywhere! They were usually tight on top and super flared at the bottom...

In the late ‘70s, jeans were becoming key to the punk rock movement. The jeans of the time were tighter and darker and usually paired with studded belts and leather jackets.

As for what kind of look you should go for when recreating this era's fashion? If your goal is to be edgy, then tight-fitting jeans are essential: try pairing them with high heels or platform boots and an oversized shirt or sweater—the higher the hemline on your pants, the better!

The jeans of the 1980s were baggy and loose, as they would be throughout the decade. But what sets this era apart is that they were also more tapered at the ankle than jeans had been in previous years, think mom jeans!

Lighter washes and acid wash jeans boomed in popularity in the late 80s and so did denim-on-denim looks.

Early ‘90s saw a rise in the popularity of overalls. They were seen everywhere on TV and worn by celebrities.

As the decade went on, jeans trends from the past began to reappear. Simple flare jeans, low rise, bootcut, and medium wash were some of the most popular. As the 2000s came along, people were also beginning to customise their own jeans with patchwork and embellishments and bedazzled low-waisted jeans rose to popularity with the help of pop stars.

Denim trends have been recycled throughout the past two decades; we’ve seen low rise to high waisted, skinny jeans being all the range then becoming a cardinal sin, boyfriend, mom jeans, and even dad jeans! Jeggings and all colours and washes and so much more.

Jeans are definitely not going anywhere and as we’ve seen, they come in so many varieties so you can have your pick! Another great thing about jeans is that they are super easy to find second hand. If anything, you might find much better pieces than you would on the high street and for a better price. Lucky for you, we have a wide selection on our Oxfam Online Shop so you can start (or continue) your journey of finding the perfect denim for you.

We've come a long way from the original denim workwear, and nowadays it's hard to find someone who doesn't own at least one article of denim clothing.

If you're like me, your love of denim runs deep. You probably have a favourite pair (or three) in rotation at all times. But did you know that your favourite jeans might be environmentally dirty?

Today, sustainable fashion is all about reducing waste and increasing ethical practices in an industry that has traditionally been known for poor labour conditions and environmental destruction. Sustainable jeans are a great place to start when revamping your wardrobe to make it more sustainable.

Sustainable denim is important because it's an environmentally conscious alternative to mass-produced clothing. It helps you to feel good about your jeans and the environment while you wear them, which is what everyone wants!

Lucky for you, denim is one of the easiest fabrics to shop second hand! Get excited because your hunt for the perfect pair of worn-in Levi’s has just begun!