vendredi 1 mai 2015

America Loves Denim Clothing And Accessories

By Toni Vang


Millions around the globe love wearing denim. North Americans buy almost half of the world's supply, and many citizens of the USA consider this tough cotton material a red, white, and blue trademark. It's true that a couple of clothing manufacturers became famous from supplying sturdy trousers for miners back in the Gold Rush days, but they didn't invent the material itself. American teenagers coming into their own after World War II adopted blue jeans as their uniform, and the popularity of the close-fitting trousers spread gradually to every country. Today, denim clothing and accessories are big business.

Denim is a durable fabric, originally made of 100% cotton woven on the diagonal. It fades fastest in areas that are stretched or rubbed; the look of wear is part of the appeal. Hard-riding cowboys of the Old West helped romanticize the image, and the well-worn look is now high fashion. In fact, people now buy jeans pre-worn and pre-faded, with carefully-designed holes.

This 'twill' was originally dyed with indigo, giving it the distinctive dark blue color of brand new jeans. It now comes in every color of the rainbow, as well as in blends with synthetics for lighter weight and comfort, or in stretch fabrics when combined with spandex. However, people probably will always think of the strong all-cotton original cloth when they hear the term.

This sturdy fabric developed in Genoa was used for military uniforms and factory wear. Two California suppliers made history when they fashioned overalls and later waist-high pants from the heavy cotton, adding rivets to zipper and pocket seams for longer wear. Known as 'levis' after Levi Strauss, one of the partners, the trousers were also popular with cowboys. The mystique of the Old West helped make levis an American icon.

North America is still the world's largest market, but jeans and other denim clothing are worn virtually everywhere. Once considered working clothes and then informal wear, jeans are now high fashion, with people paying astronomical prices for designer labels. They are worn with a sport coat in the evening or a tweed jacket for country chic.

Pants, skirts, and jackets are made for people of all ages, even infants and toddlers. Other garments and accessories may look like the real thing but be fashioned from synthetic materials for lighter weight or from plastic, (watch bands, for instance). Hats, scarves, belts, shoes, boots, and handkerchiefs look like they're made from well-worn jean scraps. The look is popular for den furniture, picture frames, and lamp shades.

Most people still think of faded blue when they hear the word, even with all the variety on the market. It's used as a color description, needing no elaboration. Even the rage for 'stone-washed' material - artificially faded and softened to get rid of the stiff new look - hasn't totally corrupted the term.

The multi-million dollar denim industry continues, as new generations from Laurel, MD to Los Angeles, CA continue to love their jeans. They carry purses and backpacks, tie bandannas on their pets, and have their favorite brands and designers in what once were work clothes for far from fashionable people. A pair of of designer pants can cost as much as an evening gown. The craze has lasted over 150 years and doesn't seen destined to end anytime soon.




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