Details in the Denim

The Origin of Denim Jeans

Due to the hard wearing properties of denim, jeans were traditionally worn by sailors and later factory workers during World War II. These days jeans are still hard wearing and essential, not just for their durability but also for their versatility and ability to be incorporated into any outfit.

During the 16th century, France and India independently began producing denim, the fabric used to create jeans. In France, denim was produced in the town of Nimes, which is where the word Â"denimÂ" originated from. The term Â"jeansÂ" also derived from France, from the  phrase Â"bleu de Genes,Â" which referred to the sturdy cotton-linen trousers which were sold through the port city of Genoa during the Renaissance

Over three hundred years later, a revolution occurred in denim when two American immigrants, Levi Strauss, a Bavarian-Jewish merchant, and Jacob Davis, a Latvian tailor, partnered up to reinforce menÂ's jeans with copper rivets to make them more durable. The styling of jeans which had evolved over the years took a dynamic turn in the 1970s, when Canadian entrepreneur Donald Freeland pioneered stonewashing and the denim industry exploded with new selections.

Choosing the Right Jeans

It goes without saying that being comfortable in your jeans is the most important thing; after all, even the best-looking pair of jeans will look odd if you feel uncomfortable in them. keeping in mind when and where you'll wear your jeans will make the process of choosing much easier.

No matter how great the jeans, if the fit is wrong for your body type, they will not work for you. First, make sure the legs, crotch and waist areas are not too tight. Remember, if you're not sure, try other styles.

Also, because jeans are likely to shrink, it's not a good idea to get just the right inseam. Buying them longer than necessary gives you the opportunity to fold them over or make any desired alterations.

Try on jeans with the shoes you wear most often, and keep in mind that aside from seeing if the colours match, you want to know how the jeans will fall. If they are too long, fold them over to approximate how they would look once hemmed. Remember, the back cuff should be aligned with the top part of the sole.