The origins of today's popular styles of jeans have their origins in the past:
Here's a look at how these trends truly started...
- The Boyfriend Jeans: The origins of the Boyfriend jeans goes back to the early 1900s. Women in the West began wearing their husbands' or brothers' jeans, the original blue jeans first created in 1873 (by Levi's). These pants were sturdy enough to handle the rough life of a rancher. These original Levi's® 501® jeans worn by women foreshadow the current "Boyfriend" jeans popular today.
Today: The Boyfriend Jean is today's "must have" fashion item. It is a relaxed fit that hangs on the hips, inspired from the mens, but made for a woman. Wear the jean with a peg and roll at bottom to show the ankle and pair it with a sexy heel or flat and flirty, feminine tops.
- The Skinny Jean: Amid a tumultuous cultural revolution in the 1960s, denim becomes a staple in women's wardrobes. Jeans become a icon of rebellion that's adopted by both men and women. The brand introduces a slimmer-fitting jean - the precursor to the modern Skinny jean. This new jean offered a more flattering look for women, with a slim leg and variety of washes.
Today: The Skinny Jean is perfect for a day to night Jean. It's made of stretch denim and it is a fit that flatters. The skinny is best paired with a flowy top or tunic, chunky cardigan and plaid, or a simple t-shirt. Great for heels or boots
- The Boot Cut Jean: Originally created for men in 1969, this unique jean was created to fit over men's cowboy and other boots. Women begin wearing this fit in 2000 and today it remains one of our top sellers.
Today: The Boot Cut Jean is the most universally flattering jean because the boot-opening at the bottom visually balances out a woman's hips. It looks great on almost everyone, especially more curvy women. The newest boot is our skinny boot that hugs the leg below the knee with a kick out at the bottom, a very sexy jean.
- The Flare Jean: The 1970s was all about personal expression and individuality. Fashion was one way people expressed themselves. Jeans in this era had a more groovy shape - and the open-leg flare style was an instant hit. Today women can find a modern interpretation of this original flare.
Today: The Flare Jeans are back in style this season, thanks to all the '70s references in pop culture, including the return of HAIR on Broadway and the 40th anniversary of Woodstock. This silhouette should have a slim thigh and will elongate your legs .
- Turn your jeans inside out before placing them in the washing machines. This prevents damage during the wash cycle.
- Use gentle detergent, such as woolite for dark clothes
- Always set your machine to "cold" and air dry when possible. This will prevent additional fading and shrinkage a dryer may cause. But it also saves you money and helps protect the planet too!
- Don't wash your jeans after every wear. This will help maintain the original wash of the jeans for longer.
The company that invented blue jeans for working men created the world's first women's jeans in 1934 for bold women of the American West
Today's hottest styles trace back to the earliest women's jeans
The evolution of women's jeans (according to Levi Strauss):
- Pre-1934: Women in the West began wearing their husbands' or brothers' Levi's® 501® jeans, the original blue jeans first created in 1873. These pants were sturdy enough to handle the rough life of a rancher. These original Levi's® 501® jeans worn by women foreshadow the current "Boyfriend" jeans popular today.
- 1934: The first pair of women's jeans, Lady Levi's®, are created. Assigned lot number 701 to distinguish them from men's jeans (Lot 501), the original pairs were aimed at women working on ranches and sold in several Western states.
- 1930s and 1940s: Sales of women's jeans begin to take off due to the growing popularity of dude ranches. High-end department stores Best & Co. and Kaufman's carried Levi's® jeans to meet this new demand.
- 1950s: Lady Levi's® jeans are sold throughout the United States along side men's Levi's® 501® jeans and the classic denim jacket. Women's jeans also switch from button-fly to zipper.
- 1960s: Amid a tumultuous cultural revolution, denim becomes a staple in women's wardrobes. Jeans become a icon of rebellion that's adopted by both men and women. The brand introduces a slimmer fitting jean - the precursor to the modern Skinny jean. Stretch women's jeans became popular among teenage girls.
- 1970s: Levi's® women's jeans range offers a variety fashion fits, including the "full" and "straight" leg jeans, and the "jean cuffs". Flares and bell-bottoms also become popular styles. Levi's® jeans for women are introduced for the first time overseas.
- 1980s: The Levi's® brand introduces the famous 501® jeans for women in 1981. The brand introduces stonewashing to women's jeans just two years later in 1983.
- 1990s: The Levi's® brand offers a series of premium denim and continues to make a wide range of jeans - including the 501®, 550®, 512® Slim fits.
- 2002: The Levi's® brand launched Super Low jeans for women, driving the trend to new heights.
- Today: The Levi's® brand remains the top seller of women's jeans worldwide and continues to offer the hottest styles for the fall and holiday season 2009, the Boyfriend and Skinny fits.
