Duds for Dating - The Lure of Blue Jeans
Pam Babbitt, S.I.
Levi would be proud. From humble
beginnings in 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis were granted a
patent for pants with rivets reinforcing the seams. In Levi’s day,
these blue jeans were the standard uniform for farmers, ranchers and
miners. Popularity grew steadily, and in 1977 Brooke Shields
furthered the trend with her provocative declaration, "You know what
comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing." Today, jeans are
considered to be the most essential article of clothing in anyone’s
closet, regardless of class.
Indigo dye is a big part of the
appeal. Blue jeans look as good, or even better when they become
faded, and few articles of clothing can make that claim. There is a
market for new jeans that look like old jeans, and also for
pre-owned jeans waiting to become someone else's new jeans.
The indigo dye is applied to the yarn in layers, and with wearings
and washings those layers gradually come off. The result is a sky
blue color, which conjures feelings of tenderness, truth,
accessibility and friendliness. Denim, with its homespun, crumpled,
imperfect look, seems easygoing in contrast to smoothed, pressed or
creased slacks. Jean clad people are viewed as approachable folks.
The wear and tear of jeans tells a story and most of us are adept at
listening. Your basic Levis, faded and worn, usually suggest a
person who is active, possibly low maintenance, and comfortable with
imperfections. Jeans with holes in places may be sported by someone
who is proud of their active lifestyle, has a sense of thrift, or
has some disinterest in their personal appearance. Jeans with holes
in suggestive places are suggestive. If there are patches covering
holes, the wearer may be one who doesn't give up and believes in
forever relationships, or possesses some good ol' Yankee ingenuity.
A person wearing cut-offs is meeting their own needs, rather than
following the norm. And designer jeans may leave a high maintenance
impression.
The more jeans are worn, the more form-fitting they become. And
speaking of impressions, a seasoned people-watcher may be able to
detect what is worn or not worn underneath, among other things.
Jeans cling to butts, legs, and they offer another visual treat.
Notice the zipper placket - a straight vertical line traveling down
from the waist to meet the horizontal furrows at the crease of the
upper thigh, making this intimate intersection very conspicuous.
Kudos Levi!
