How We Got Blue Jeans - Part 1

by Howard Brule

Wearing jeans is so common and popular today, and it is no wonder. Jeans are so durable and trendy. and they don’t cost very much. Everyone enjoys the simplicity and comfort for work, for everyday wear and even for formal events. People are wearing jeans for times at home relaxing, as work clothes, for social occasions and even a night out on the town. Jeans withstand the test of time so you can really wear them just about anywhere.

Who Invented Jeans?

No one person invented jeans. Rather than being created at one point in time, they evolved over 400 years into the form and design we are familiar with today.

When we think of jeans, we think of the everyday jeans made of denim. Denim is very tough and versatile because it is made with a strong cotton twill material with a unique diagonal weave. Before it made its way to Europe this fabric was being made in India where it was known as dungaree.

This distinctive fabric was popularized in Europe. But a similar thick cotton cloth had been made in India since before the 1600s. That older material was called dunagree - the origin of the term “dunagarees” - which was normally dyed in indigo blue and sold in the district near Dongarii Fort on the outskirts of the Indian city of Bombay. Bombay was a major port on the important spice route between Europe and China. Portuguese sailors on trading vessels were the first regular users of dungaree clothing, and they introduced it to other points along the trading routes.

Not too many years later the fabric was being manufactured in Europe, more or less as the thick cotton material we know well today as “denim”. In France in 1600s denim was woven near the city known as Nimes where the cloth was called serge. It became known as “serge de Nimes” which was eventually shortened to “de Nimes” and anglicized to “denim”.

These distinctive denim pants becamed known as “jeans” because of their connection to the port of Genoa in Italy. In the 17th and 18th centuries Genoa was a major naval base and their navy was outfitted with blue denim uniforms. They became known as “jeans” because the French word for Genoa is “Genes” and the pants became identified with the Genovese Navy. The durable denim clothes were ideal for sailors who essentially had to live in their clothes 24 hours a day. The jeans were ideal for any environment and could be cleaned by dragging them behind the ship in a fishing net.

Hey! What could be more convenient than that?

About the Author:
Share and Enjoy: These icons link to social bookmarking sites where readers can share and discover new web pages.
  • bodytext
  • Sphinn
  • del.icio.us
  • Facebook
  • Mixx
  • Google
  • Furl
  • MisterWong
  • NewsVine
  • StumbleUpon
  • Technorati
  • YahooMyWeb
Tags: , ,


Related Posts:
Designer 7 For Mankind Jeans For Women and the Perfect Fit
Slimming Fashion Tricks - Jeans, The Modern Girl’s Corset
10 Chic & Easy Ideas To Jazz Up Your Jeans

Leave a Reply