Blue Jeans
Fashion Terms — the Apparel Search fashion terminology directory
Blue jeans usually means jeans, which are denim trousers. Jeans are trousers, a type of garment, typically made from denim or dungaree cloth — and the term “jeans” often refers to a particular style of pants called “blue jeans”, invented by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. and patented on May 20, 1873. Originally designed for cowboys and miners, jeans became popular in the 1950s among teenagers.
Blue Jeans usually means jeans, which are denim trousers.
Jeans are trousers, a type of garment, typically made from denim or dungaree cloth. Often the term "jeans" refers to a particular style of pants, called "blue jeans," which were invented by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. in 1871 and patented by Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss on May 20, 1873. Prior to the Levi Strauss patented trousers, the term "blue jeans" had been long in use for various garments (including trousers, overalls, and coats), constructed from blue colored denim. Originally designed for cowboys and miners, jeans became popular in the 1950s among teenagers.
However, blue jeans transcend simple pants because they can inspire so much more.
Learn more about blue jeans at the Levi website. You may also want to review the various blue jean fit options.
You may also want to learn about selvage denim.
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How Blue Jeans Took Over the Wardrobe
Workwear is not supposed to become the default trouser of the planet, but jeans had three advantages: the denim was cheap and exceptionally hard-wearing, the rivets at the pocket corners solved a real tearing problem for miners and cowboys, and the indigo dye faded in a way that made every pair look personal. When teenagers adopted jeans in the 1950s, the trousers picked up a charge of rebellion that film and music amplified; by the 1970s jeans were standard casual dress across ages and countries, and designers began selling them at luxury prices without changing the basic five-pocket pattern.
The vocabulary around jeans grew with the market, and several of its words have their own pages in this directory: the button fly is the original closure, boyfriend jeans borrow the loose fit of a man's pair, and mom jeans name the high-waisted tapered style of a later decade. Fit, wash, weight of denim, and details such as selvage edges are now the differences buyers compare, which is why this page links onward to fit options and fabric terms rather than treating “blue jeans” as one simple thing.
Common Questions
What are blue jeans?
Denim trousers — pants made from denim or dungaree cloth, traditionally dyed blue. The patented riveted blue jean was invented by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co., patented May 20, 1873.
Were jeans always called blue jeans?
No. Before the Levi Strauss patented trousers, the term “blue jeans” had long been in use for various garments — trousers, overalls and coats — constructed from blue colored denim, as this page explains.
What jean styles are linked from this page?
Jeans design, ripped jeans, jean shorts, denim skirts, jean jackets and mom jeans, plus the Levi's website, blue jean fit options and selvage denim.