Style therapy: from rebels to rockers, denim suits everyone

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It’s safe to say that we all love jeans. They have influenced culture and style over the last two centuries, probably more than we realize. Jeans have been worn by miners, cowboys, Hollywood stars, rebels, rockers, and influencers. Almost all fashion designers and luxury brands have included jeans in their collections.

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For a garment that had humble beginnings, blue jeans have come a long way. In 1871, Jacob W. Davis partnered with Levi Strauss & Co. to make tough work pants for rugged workers. They were utilitarian, made to withstand the rigors of the mines, farms and ranches, any industry that was tough on clothing.

Those jeans barely resembled what we now consider a fashion staple. Available at both ends of the price spectrum, the world’s most expensive can cost thousands. Gucci jeans can be priced up to $3,100 and if you want custom jeans by Escada, expect to spend $10,000. (For the rest of us, less than $200 is normal.)

The movies helped romanticize one of the world’s most popular clothing items. As early as the 1930s, Hollywood put them on handsome jeans. The popularity of westerns helped jeans move from work wear to the wardrobe.

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In 1951, at the height of his career, Bing Crosby was in Vancouver and the singer, dressed in jeans, was reportedly trying to check into the Vancouver Hotel. He was rejected. The receptionist did not give him a room: visitors dressed in denim were not considered to be wearing appropriate attire.

A bellman recognized Crosby and the situation was corrected. But when Levi Strauss & Co found out about the incident, they jumped at the chance to create a custom-made tuxedo for the celebrity so she could have a formal denim option. The term and trend are still going strong: A denim-on-denim combo is called a Canadian Tuxedo.

When Hollywood stars like Ginger Rogers and Carole Lombard began wearing jeans in the 1930s, denim transitioned into glamour. Vogue helped convince women that jeans weren’t just for celebrities. The magazine gave its fashion stamp of approval in 1935, advising readers on how to dress in true Western chic: “Combine jeans with a Stetson and a big Bravado outdoors.”

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Today, you will find denim in almost every wardrobe. Neil Diamond might have been right when he launched Forever in Blue Jeans in 1979. The global denim market is expected to reach $87.4 billion by 2027.

Designer Yves Saint-Laurent summed up its effect best: “I have often said that I wish I had invented blue jeans: the most spectacular, the most practical, the most relaxed and carefree. They have expression, modesty, sex appeal, simplicity – everything I expect from my clothes.”

No two women have the same curves in the same place. Given the wide variety of brands, cuts, styles, and trends, finding the right pair can be tricky, if not downright exhausting.

Learn which silhouette you feel best in. It comes down to two factors: leg style (skinny, straight, bootcut, flared) and rise (high-rise, regular-rise, and low-rise).

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Wear denim your way, even if you’re over 50. Typically, the mid-waist is the most figure-friendly, especially for those of us who prefer a little more structure around our midsection. Make sure they are not too tight to avoid the top of a muffin. “Mom” jeans (high-rise jeans that are roomy in the belly) are generally unflattering and will make you look scruffy. Strike a balance between the two.

Always on trend straight jeans are timeless, flattering most body shapes, and more comfortable than the skinny jeans we’ve been wearing for years. Darker jeans are much easier to wear with other neat or casual clothes (they have the advantage of making you look slimmer), but don’t count out a pair of white jeans as a wardrobe staple you’ll reach for again and again. I’ve seen plenty of older women wearing ripped jeans, but I personally avoid them.

Try on a few pairs and see how well they fit around your hips. Don’t compromise. Make sure they are the right length and height. Bend over, squat, sit, walk. When you get it right, you’ll realize how amazing jeans can make you feel.