There are certain items of clothing that have become classics. They can be updated and altered to suit the changing times and never go out of fashion. Like the little black dress, the denim jacket is one of these items. From its roots as a hard wearing work jacket to today’s catwalks, the denim jacket continues to be both practical and stylish. Little wonder then that is widely regarded as a classic design and even more widely worn.
Denim itself originated in France but became popular in America as material for working clothes in the 19th century. Although denim was widespread by then, it is a business man by the name of Levi Strauss who is credited with patenting the blue denim work clothes reinforced with copper rivets that are the basis of denim as we know it today. The same Levi Strauss’ company have been the center of the denim clothing industry ever since. Originally, popularised during the California Gold Rush of the 1850s, denim became the standard work wear for millions of Americans over the next 100 years.
It was not until the 1950s that denim began to be worn as a fashion item. Picked up on by the newly identified social group of “teenagers”, denim became synonymous with teenage style and rebellion. Teenage idols like James Dean and Marlon Brando gave denim an edgy, outsider feel but, like all rebellious styles, the style was eventually adopted into mainstream fashion.
Denim is an instantly recognizable fabric. A simple twill weave in cotton that is nearly always died in a shade of indigo blue. Although, like all classic materials, there are many variations on the theme, like a classic song, no matter how often it is re-invented, denim remains fundamentally the same. This simple, natural and durable fabric is the basic canvdas on which the savvy dresser can sketch a thousand styles.
Of all the clothing that can be made from denim, the denim jacket remains one of the most distinctive and useful pieces. It can be worn by both men and women in a wide variety of contexts and with a range of different clothes. Although the cut and the color change from time to time this amounts to little more than variations on a theme. The basic blue denim jacket is instantly recognisable. The very simplicity and familiarity of the denim jacket is a big part of its charm.
For men, the denim jacket can be either for work or for casual wear. Denim started as work wear with good reason, it is hard wearing, long lasting and easy to clean. For these reasons many men still find denim makes good work wear whether on a job or at home fiddling with their cars. Denim jackets are great for casual wear when they are out with the guys or can be used to dress down more formal clothes if they do not want to seem to stuffy.
For women, the denim jacket is being constantly updated by the fashion industry. It can be short and sexy, roomy and comfortable or detailed and feminine. The great thing about denim is its versatility and that it can be combined with so many other clothes. Many women have a favourite denim jacket in their wardrobe that comes out time after time when they want to wear something relaxed and familiar.
This website is a tribute to the denim jacket and a call to continue its central role as a fashion and cultural icon. Whether you are young or old, male or female, working or playing, there is a denim jacket for you. So please take some time to browse The Denim Jacket and see which one suits you.