What is Denim? A Brief History of Denim is Described in Easy way-2023

What is denim?

Denim is one of the world’s most iconic fabrics. Denim is popular across national and cultural boundaries, and denim jeans have become a symbol of American culture worldwide. Denim is a sturdy cotton warp-faced textile in which the weft passes under tow or more warp threads. This twill weaving produces a diagonal ribbing that distinguishes it from cotton duck. In other words, denim is characteristic of any indigo denim in that only the warp threads are dyed, whereas the weft threads remain white. As a result of the warp-faced twill weaving, one side of the fabric shows the blue warp threads, and the other side shows the white weft threads.

History of Denim

Denim which gets its name from the French for “serge de Nimes is a rugged cotton twill textile, which the weft passes under two or more warp threads. This twill weaving produces the familiar diagonal ribbing of the fabric of the fabric, which distinguishes denim from cotton duck. The dyehouse at the White Oak Cotton Mill in Greensboro, North Carolina. The cone Mills Corporation, which owned the mill, was formerly the world’s largest maker of denim.

Figure: The dyehouse at the White Oak Cotton Mill

Denim has been used in the United States since the mid-19th century. Denim initially gained popularity in 1873 when Jacob W. Davis, a tailor from Nevada, manufactured the first pair of rivet-reinforced denim pants. The popularity of denim jeans outstripped the capacity of Davis’s small shop, so he moved his production to the facilities of dry goods wholesaler Levis Strauss & Co., which had been supplying Davis with bolts of denim fabric. In 1886 lathers label is sewn on the back of the jeans. That picture shows the jeans pulled between the two horses but don’t tear and remain strong. That advertisement is to show how strong denim jeans are. In 1920 Levis’s jeans became so popular and the leading product in men’s work.

In 1940 less, jeans were made because of World War II. Soldiers used jeans for their rest time. In 1950 denim became popular among the young generations. Some schools in the US banned students from wearing denim jeans. In 1960 jeans became out of fashion because of other dresses. In 1970, denim jeans took a new form and shape and were complete denim jumpsuits. Jeans also became the uniform for concerts and Rock and roll events. That year, two more brands, Wrangler and Lee, came into play and made jeans. Jeans denim also came into a new form, like Bermuda shorts or miniskirts. In 1980, denim jeans entered the mass market. In 1990, the fall of denim jeans due to many other fabrics. In that year, denim was mixed with different fabrics like Lycra.

Now denim jeans are used all over the world. In 2020, the worldwide denim market equaled US$57.3 billion, with demand growing by 5.8% and supply growing by 8% annually. Over 50% of denim is produced in Asia, most of it in China, India, Turkey, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Globally, the denim industry is expected to grow a CAGR of over 4.8% from 2022 to 2026, with the market value expected to increase from $57.3 billion to $76.1 billion.

Nowadays, denim is used as a multipurpose fabric. It is used for making garments, decorative fabric, accessories, and furniture cloth. Garments include jeans, suits, shirts, jackets, jeggings, and hats. Jeans washing is created extra value for denim. Jeans technology is used to modify the appearance, size, outlook, comfortability, and fashionable looks. That’s why it looks vintage and old looking.

However, I tried my best to present the history of jeans briefly. I hope we got benefits from this article. Share with your friends and social media.

References:

Jalil, P. D. (2018). Denim and Washing Technology. Dhaka: Granthanir Prokashoni.
Rahman, E. M. (2014). Practical Hand Book of Washing and Dyeing. Dhaka:University Campus.