Jeans have been a staple part of the clothing world for centuries. In the 18th century, denim trousers were worn in many manual labour industries for their durability, a trend that lasted through the 19th century Californian Gold Rush and into the Western movies of the 1930s and beyond.
Indeed, the association of denim jeans with ruggedness is entirely justified simply because they can withstand wear and tear far greater than most other types of material.
However, with the 1950s came teen rebels. James Dean and co. popularised denim as a symbol of rebellion which subsequently led to many schools banning it because of what it represented. There was no stopping the jeans revolution though, and denim has long transcended the practical use it was initially designed to serve.
Jeans and fashion have gone hand-in-hand for well over half a century and in the 1960s/70s, flared jeans with a psychedelic tinge were the in-thing with the hippy scene, which gave way for a more tight-cut, dark-coloured denim look in the 1980s.
Today, guys can take their pick from just about any size, style, colour or cut they wish. From stretch-skinny, straight, slim and baggy jeans, to bootcut, flare, twister and worker jeans: there’s certainly a lot to consider when shopping for those new denim slacks.
Of course, what’s in and what’s out is quite often dictated by a small number of trend trailblazers. Skinny jeans have been the most popular denim style in the 21st century, with a number of fashion-focussed bands helping to cement ‘skinny’ in UK fashion folklore. Stretch-skinny, on the other hand, go that one stage further and the extra skinny fit mould themselves around the wearer’s legs.
Those perhaps of an older disposition may still prefer to wear the style of jeans that were in when they were teenagers, which may be why flares and bootcuts are still widely available on the High Street. Again, it’s not just a case of choosing ‘flares’ or ‘bootcuts’ – they come in a range of styles, such as ‘skinny flare’, which are narrow at the top before widening at the bottom into a classic flare cut.
Mens jeans come in all shapes and sizes and for good reason. Fashion may be constantly evolving but the simple fact is no single style is ubiquitous at any given time, meaning that there will always be a demand for flare and skinny cuts.
Denims may once have been about practicalities, but for the past fifty years jeans have played a crucial part in the fashion world – something that looks set to continue long into the future.
Andrew Regan writes for a digital marketing agency. This article has been commissioned by a client of said agency. This article is not designed to promote, but should be considered professional content.