How Do You Denim?
How the Ann Arbor fashion scene is expanding
–By Taylor Grier
The seasons change, as do trends, yet denim remains the same—or so it seems. Stretching as far back as 1873, and shaking the world, denim is born of the work of Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis. From NY to Michigan’s very own, Ann Arbor is no stranger to jeans and denim. Originally for the working man, jeans have since evolved into a major fashion staple for all bodies and demographics.
A World Where Denim and Spandex Collide
At the break out of denim into the fashion sphere, it most notably took the form of a thick, coarse, and inflexible material. Made to last, this durable jean, like that of Levi’s famous 501’s, became an icon of the closet. But unlike most, this fashion trend does not appear to be fading anytime soon; just evolving. Denim is a time staple for its durability, versatility, and overall aesthetic charm. Whether going for a night out or ready for a day of work there is no going wrong with a trustee pair of jeans.
It is of no surprise that jeans and leggings arguably consume the bulk of any women’s closet. Both serve as significant pieces in women’s fashion and are easily the foundation of any outfit. But their relationship has only recently become less mutual. From one long lasting trend to another, once with dissimilar functions, now rival is some ways. In 1959 the first Lycra leggings were made. These stretchy pants are no new arrival to the fashion scene; however, they do take on a new form and function. 2015 marks the start of a legging revival. Inspired by the rising athleisure trend, leggings are now acceptable to wear as pants. Not just by celebrities, and in the media, girls all over are strutting this look beyond the gym; and not as a layering piece.
As you stroll, stride, or scurry through Ann Arbor, notice a juxtaposition between jean wearers at UM and those fitted in athleisure. Now this distinction does not rigidly exclude anyone into one type exclusively, however, it does present a new scenario in fashion. One where denim is rivaled by cotton, and spandex.
How Does Denim Hold Up?
In a period of athleisure, leggings may be a part of every girls’ wardrobe, however, denim has a little more to offer. But what is denim doing in the fashion world today? Or more distinctly, within Ann Arbor and the high fashion University of Michigan campus?
In the fashion-verse denim is timeless. Jeans at large merely evolve and revolve around itself; never actually going out of style. An article in The CUT notes that “designers have been having a lot of fun with denim. In spring/summer 2017 , we saw clear “jeans,” butt-less jeans, and detachable jorts (jeans/shorts). But then fashion provocateurs realized they didn’t need to reinvent the jean to get a reaction.”
Within the past few years cropped jeans have reemerged as fashionable again. INSIDER expresses that 2016 began this adapted trend of the ’70s, and it is popping up everywhere. All around campus girls are rocking their favorite booties, sneakers, combat boots, and platforms with, fringed, asymmetric, appliqued, and even distressed, crop style jeans. From skinnies, to flared culottes, bare ankles are no longer a taboo sight to see. They are embraced by revealing pants and the opportunity to accessorize with shoes, socks, and jewelry. But beyond this current niche of denim fashion, jeans are doing much more on campus than simply attracting eyes to ankles.
What Girls Have to Say About Their Denim
Denim surely allows for greater expression and communication of personal style and individuality. All over campus girls are coming to their own personal accounts and understandings of how denim fits into their lives and in what ways.
Owner of The Getup Vintage, a hip and edgy vintage shop in downtown Ann Arbor, remarks that at “work I look for anything from acid wash 80s crazy to sleek Calvin Klein’s, we cater to so many people I look for a wide variety of denim and it’s forever changing. However, my personal closet and style when it comes to denim has been consistently 1970s classic high waisted denim. I found the style very early on and it’s what looks best on curves- I haven’t looked back!”
Sophomore Cydney Gardner-Brown expresses that “My jean preference has shifted with maturity. As my body has changed, so has my taste for the type of denim I wear. There was a point, when I was younger, where I was looking to be this super skinny petite girl and I would wear things like tight clothes and skinny jeans. My selection of jeans was a combination of my perceived self-image in relation to my perception of what was beautiful. However, as I got older, and my body started to curve more, and my hips expanded, I was drawn to groovier styles that would make my butt look perkier and not compress the curves I had discovered. Now a days, I try to be less aware of myself in relation to the rest of the world and more in relation to my own standards of beauty and my own unique style. I’m open to a wider range of styles than I was when I was a kid. That is mostly a product of my own maturity. As of today, I am a high waisted mom jeans kind of girl because they’re the easiest to manipulate and pretty comfy! BDG jeans are my favorite I get them from Urban Outfitters”.
Junior, Paris Parker, says that her interaction with denim has been forever changing. since she first started dressing herself. “In high school I went through the legging phase and jeans sort of became a luxury piece since they were so expensive. My mom always made sure we had at least two pairs of good quality jeans and they were most likely Levi’s. Now that I have become more interested in fashion, denim is amazing to me. I love all the styles they come in, and my favorite pair of jeans right now are patchwork. And that’s not something everyone has. Denim is just more unique than leggings!”
As an avid denim lover, myself, much of its charm and longevity lies within its adaptable form. From purses, jackets, bags, and shoes, denim can give any outfit that next level edge. And it truly is all about how you wanna wear it; and jeans are magical. They are versatile and every encounter with a new pair is different. Between the plethora of styles, sizes, lengths, and looks to the varied and unique bodies that wear them there is so much to discover, explore, and say.
What’s Leggings Got to Do with It?
While jeans provide variety and nostalgia, the presence of an athleisure culture cannot be denied. But even with a rise in leggings as a fashion staple, the face of denim has changed yet again; but this time not like we thought. Jeans have made a move toward being elastic, fitted, spandex; and frankly less denim. Finding that perfect pair of authentic denim jeans is a hunt many fashionistas embark on. To snag what used to be the norm is denim culture, has been replaced by cheaper quality stretch denim. The owner of The Getup Vintage says “It’s not great! It’s much more cheaply made, not 100% cotton-rips so easy. I rarely find denim worth the price in new retail stores. Unless you are paying a couple hundred from custom places like the Detroit Denim Co, it’s just not worth it!” Thrift stores and vintage shops, such as The Getup Vintage, have thus become the perfect hunting ground for real jeans; made from original denim materials with an authentic structured fit. And though the identity of denim has shifted and morphed just like the many styles and hem lengths, denim makes for a standout choice among a mere pair of leggings; even if they suddenly share materials
Speaking of the quality shift within jeans starts to connect the dots between jeans and leggings. Jeans made with spandex and lycra can take on the appearance of traditional denim, without the same durability, while also being able to mimic leggings (jeggings). Though recent changes have impacted the way individuals interact and identify with them, a manager of an anonymous retailer in the Ann Arbor area remarks on a positive, that “You can wear jeans whenever. They are disguisable and more versatile than people think.” From stretch jeans, and jeggings, jeans have simply become that much more versatile; affecting the industry and jean culture. Paris believes, the way denim is changing has many positive and negative effects on the fashion industry. “A positive is the fact that more people are appreciating denim and being open to trying different types. Though a huge negative is that, because of fast fashion and cheap labor, a lot of people don’t know what nice authentic denim is. I think because of trends that feature denim a lot of people aren’t able to appreciate and obtain vintage or traditional denim. But some people are becoming more aware about the harmful effects of fast fashion, these people could start the trend of appreciating true denim rather than just focusing on a certain denim style like skinny jeans and jeggings for example!”
Where do we Stand?
Even though denim has become less traditional, it still provides significant fashion opportunity and exploration. And as leggings are a growing versatility in the fashion world, girls continue to wear them as pants. While leggings rise in our current athleisure culture it is almost as if new jegging options cater to this trend as well. Either way, Ann Arbor provides space for both, as girls all over campus express themselves in one way or another. Though, my faithfulness lies within what I find a little edgier in creating outfit combinations than the mere comfort of lounge wear.
Feature photo: A simple skinny jean look cropped perfectly for any sandal, wedge, heel, or flat.