Denim, The Evolution Of A Fashion
Denim like many other fabrics has a much greater cultural significance than its initial workwear beginnings. One of the first associations which comes to mind when thinking about denim is with the cowboy or western. Denim Jeans are worn by the likes of Clint Eastwood in the Serge Leone’s spaghetti western trilogy and the Marlborough Men in the famous advertisements, because of these and many other instances their has been built up a strong association between Denim and the Wild Western Frontier, something which denim brands have not overlooked in their advertising campaign. It is also clear that Denim is a very masculine fabric with its workwear history and rugged durable texture it has become a widely understood signifier connotating masculinity.
This masculine connotation has been juxtaposed by fashion designers with feminine cuts and feminine garments, such as denim skirts. Obviously at the time when jeans first became available they would not be available to women who did not wear overalls or work pants, since the 60’s however denim has become just as popular with the female fashion follower, and is now a staple item in any woman’s wardrobe.