They fit the body and seem to adopt its habits. Baggy or skinny, emphasizing the waist or sitting low on the hips – what is the secret of their irresistible appeal to both sexes?
Introduced a century and a half ago as clothing for laborers, jeans found a second youth in the wake of hippieism and were elevated to a cult by free-spirited rockers. Today they have already ceased to be a symbol of sexual emancipation or protest, but appear as a chameleon, adapting to the vagaries of fashion and its owner. Due to popular love and thanks to the efforts of designers, they migrated to the category of quite respectable clothes, in which it is decent to appear in the office or go to a classical music concert, varying only accessories and wardrobe details.
Out of time, out of age
“The first ones came to me 30 years ago – Indian Avis jeans, a symbol of chic and freedom,” says Marina. – Now I’m 50, and I prefer Diesel or Pepe Jeans. During the day, I wear them with moccasins, and in the evening I can wear them with a Prada top and pumps – it turns out to be quite an output option. And 40-year-old Alice says that they often change different wardrobe items with her daughter: “Of course, I wear jeans a little differently than she does: my jeans hang low on her hips, revealing a pierced navel. I wear them with a Lacoste leather belt and a cashmere turtleneck or shirt.”
This versatility makes jeans a favorite of all generations: they are not restrictive within one style, but they bring a touch of ease to any outfit – even when paired with a white blouse and a tweed jacket.
Beautiful old age
“I REGRET ONLY ABOUT ONE – THAT I DID NOT INVENT THE JEANS.” Yves Saint Laurent, Couturier
Worn, wrinkled, chewy and torn effects have become commonplace in the look of jeans. “The gravel washing method is a milestone,” explains fashion columnist Varvara Nekrasova. “Designers are thinking about how to achieve a dilapidated effect, how many layers of threads should be broken, and how many should be left as a background that will break over time, but in a special, individual way.” This creates the illusion of age. “And I love untreated jeans, which themselves gradually lighten, become softer, fray, burn out,” says 29-year-old Karina. Jeans become beautiful with time. I love it when it happens on my body.”
Authentic blue jeans, so beloved by the older generation, are back in fashion. “Designers pay special attention to fabrics of deep, rich tones without any effects of wear,” Varvara Nekrasova comments on this trend. “Like in the good old days, wear should not be artificial, but completely natural and testify to the true age of jeans.” This is their uniqueness and attractiveness – age only adorns jeans. They age beautifully. How glad we would be to transfer this property of theirs to our appearance!
Freedom and security
These two words are the key to unraveling the Incredible popularity of jeans, says social psychologist Yulia Zudina.
“Jeans gained popularity when women gained the possibility of emotional and material independence. They tightly fit the legs and buttocks of their owner, signaling to others: “I am confident on my feet, I know what I want.” Worn jeans seem even sexier to us – because they are highlighted on the most convex parts, emphasizing the body, as if exposing it. Thanks to the tight-fitting, sculpting properties of jeans, a man can finally demonstrate his sex appeal, feel like a sexual object – this is also a trend of the new time. Indeed, in the traditional view, a man manifests himself as a sexual subject and, unlike a woman, tends to hide his body in a sheath suit rather than demonstrate it. But the main thing is that jeans have an advantage that no most sexy clothes have: demonstrating our body, we feel completely safe at the same time. It is a sense of security, which manifests itself literally at the tactile level, because there is a dense fabric between us and the outside world.”
Yu.Z.
Sex symbol
“I OPENED MY FIRST BOUTIQUE IN 1970 AND STARTED TRADING THE 501st LEVI`S MODEL: THERE WERE NEVER LIKE THESE IN LONDON.” PAUL SMITH, DESIGNER
“I have always loved jeans for their comfort,” says 31-year-old Olga, “but now what attracts me the most about them is their sexuality.” Many “fit” into unpretentious and democratic jeans not at all in order to hide in them, but to present themselves from the most advantageous side. They are certainly sexy, but not constraining, such as a tight dress or miniskirt, which some seem inappropriate, immodest. Today, denim fashion gives us a choice: open or emphasize. Show off your belly with low-cut jeans, or accentuate your waist with slim-fitting, high-waisted jeans? “Recently, heated discussions have unfolded around the waist,” says Varvara Nekrasova. Where should she be? Designers are trying to return it to its natural place, and young consumers consider such models not sexy enough. Of course, after a long period of unobtrusive display of underwear, it is difficult to get used to jeans with a slightly more puritanical character. So far, they have not met with the enthusiasm of a young audience, because they are too reminiscent of “mother’s jeans” and are perceived as asexual. Nevertheless, a change in trends is inevitable: everything that becomes too popular eventually becomes mundane and loses the intrigue that is the very essence of sex appeal. “Skinny, skinny and ultra-long Liv jeans in dark denim with a high waistline will definitely become a bestseller in the Diesel collection,” says Varvara Nekrasova. “However, these jeans must be able to properly combine with other wardrobe items.”
Full self-expression
“In my opinion, there is nothing sexier than a simple white t-shirt with classic jeans.” Brooke Shields, actress, CK Jeans model
“What a joy to realize that here I can fit into any model,” remarks 35-year-old Svetlana while shopping in New York. – In Moscow, I can never find jeans in my size. Because of this, I feel on the sidelines of life.” So the most “denim” country completely refutes the idea that these clothes were created exclusively for young thin women. Practicality and convenience make jeans a universal option even for people who experience the greatest difficulties in choosing clothes. For example, for pregnant women: “You can wear them both for work and for a walk with children,” Elena says, trying on a special model in the Mothercare store.
In parallel with the release of models for those who are inclined to “decorate”, to demonstrate themselves, a fashion trend is developing, focused on comfort, suggesting much less demands on the figure. “In the collections of Calvin Klein Jeans, jodhpur models, reminiscent of oriental bloomers, are most noticeable. By the way, this extravagant option is the first step towards a big fashion trend,” says Varvara Nekrasova. “But the hottest trend is “boyfriend jeans” – a more voluminous and somewhat “relaxed” silhouette.” So jeans acquire the status of “unisex” in the literal sense, wandering from his wardrobe to hers according to the mood. “I love wearing my boyfriend’s jeans,” says 26-year-old Maria. “They are a size larger than mine and sit low on the hips. Shapeless, but very stylish!” Once upon a time, fashion prescribed to buy jeans that could only be buttoned while lying down, but today it provides us with an incredible degree of freedom. They are unpretentious, practical and always ready to compromise, we feel relaxed and safe in them. But finding “your” jeans takes a lot of time and effort. The same goes for finding your own identity.