Jeans
Finding the perfect pair
When talking about American style, jeans are an obvious topic. Jeans were invented in the United States by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss in 1873. They were initially produced specifically for heavy-duty workers who needed protection from hazardous environments, but they are now one of the staples in the fashion industry. Despite the history and fame of jeans, we usually don’t see their aesthetic beauty. The first thing that comes to mind when you think of jeans might be something like “blue.” Come on, we need to know more than that!
We tend to think that blue is the only color for jeans. In fact, color for jeans is limitless. There are numerous different shades of blue you can choose from. Keep in mind that color can be a huge factor when it comes to styling, so be sure to take some notes on this part. A darker shade of blue, such as indigo, gives a vibe of dignity and respect, which is good for a formal occasion. In contrast, a lighter shade of blue, such as sky blue, gives you a casual and comfortable look. Something in between can be both formal and informal depending on how you integrate it with other clothes.
Try suiting up your indigo jeans with a navy blazer, white oxford shirt, and brown dress shoes for a formal occasion. For a casual look, try on a grey t-shirt, light blue jeans, and white sneakers. There are so many ways to integrate jeans with other pieces, so experiment with them.
In the big picture, jeans fall into two categories: single-stitched or double-stitched. You can differentiate them quite easily by turning them inside out. Single-stitched jeans have a zig-zag pattern of stitching on the inseam area, while double-stitched (aka selvedge jeans) have two vertical stitchings along the inseam. What we usually find in stores is single-stitched jeans since they are easier to mass produce, which means that they are cheaper than selvedge jeans. That does not mean that they are worse, but it means they offer a little less durability due to weaker stitching. On the other hand, since selvedge jeans are more durable, the price of a pair can go up to $400. It is undoubtedly expensive for a pair of selvedge jeans. But, if you really want to own a pair of jeans that can last for your lifetime, then don’t hesitate to get one. Their price will definitely be paid off in the long run.
Fit-wise, there are only a few types of jeans. There are straight, slim, skinny, boot-cut, relaxed, and carrot-fit jeans. Personal taste is a major factor for choosing the fit as well as the color. However, I strongly recommend straight or slim fit because they are more versatile than the others, and most importantly, they can embrace many body types. For example, skinny jeans are sometimes so skinny that you can’t even put your legs in them. I personally do not own any skinny jeans, but I have tried them on a few times, and they were so skinny that I felt uncomfortable. I think that they are very specific for a particular body type — you need to have slender legs, which I don’t have. That is why I am suggesting you to opt for a straight or slim fit as a safe choice. But as long as your jeans are comfortable and tailored to your body, the fit doesn’t really matter. So if a fit looks good on you, wear it.
Because jeans have so many characteristics, I was not able to describe every single detail of them in this article. I suggest that you research the rest of the details on your own — you will learn so much. Look through inspiring lookbooks, watch some runway videos, etc. I am sure that you will pick up many great ideas.