Did You Know Your Jeans Shaped History?

VVAW

As humans, one of the things we all share in our everyday routine for generations is fashion. For centuries, culture has been highly impacted by fashion. No matter how much we evolve over time, fashion remains part of our history and existence. While many feel as if fashion has nothing to do with them and their identity, it has actually heavily impacted our society. When we wake up, we put on articles of clothing to wear for the day, yet many do not realize the historical significance behind many of the pieces they own.

For over a century, the most common piece in any person's closet has been jeans. They go with pretty much anything and can be used for more casual or elevated looks. The denim fabric originated throughout Europe, and eventually developed into what we know as jeans. However, they were definitely not created in terms of style, but rather as practical uniforms for the working class during the 1800’s. Over time, jeans spread around the world, beyond just the working class, and started to be worn by all groups of people, making casual wear normalized. They became a symbol of individuality and rebellion during the Civil Rights movement, challenging the idea that they should be worn only by specific groups of people. The jeans we all wear today tell the story of people coming together and breaking the idea that clothing should be divided by race or social class.