Bluejeans are a staple in many people’s wardrobes. The denim pants are known for their classic indigo blue coloring. But why exactly are they called “bluejeans”? The name comes from the history of how denim was dyed and the early use of denim for work pants.
History of Denim Dyeing
Denim originated in the French city of Nimes. The fabric was known as “serge de Nimes” which became shortened to just “de Nimes” and eventually denim. Early denim was not dyed blue however. It was more of a natural off-white or grey color.
So when did denim first become characteristically blue? In the 1600s, denim was dyed blue using indigo dye. Indigo dye comes from the leaves of certain plants like the indigofera plant that are native to India and Asia. When used on cotton fabric like denim, it creates a distinctive blue color that fades over time.
Indigo dyeing took off in Europe in the 17th century. At that time, the French town Genoa in Italy was a center for indigo dye production. The Italian word for Genoa is “Gênes”, which led to indigo dyed fabrics being referred to as “bleu de Gênes” meaning “blue of Genoa”.
Denim for Work Pants
In the late 1800s, denim fabric started being used more for durable work pants. One of the early adopters was Levi Strauss. In 1873, Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis received a patent for putting metal rivets in men’s work pants to make them stronger. These first jeans were made of denim dyed blue with indigo.
Given denim’s origins and use for workwear, the term “blue jeans” emerged as a compound word describing the blue colored denim pants. The word jeans comes from the French word for Genoa, “Gênes”. So “blue jeans” literally meant the blue pants made from the denim dyed in Genoa style with indigo.
mass marketing of blue jeans
In the early 20th century, blue jeans were still seen as workwear rather than fashionable attire. Cowboys and miners wore them for the durability.
Levi Strauss & Co. made the first blue jeans that we would recognize as a more modern pair in the 1920s. They used a tailored fit and included details like button flies and darker stitching that remain staples of blue jeans today. These jeans were marketed under the “XX” label, which later became known as 501 jeans.
After World War II, blue jeans exploded in popularity, largley thanks to Hollywood. Actors like John Wayne and Marlon Brando wore blue jeans on screen and glamorized the pants. Teen culture also picked up on blue jeans as a fashion symbol of rebellion.
Levi Strauss took advantage of this demand by expanding manufacturing and distribution of 501 blue jeans across the country. Competitors like Wrangler and Lee also entered the blue jeans market. Suddenly blue jeans were being mass marketed not just as workwear but also as a fashion item.
Evolution of Blue Jeans Style
Since blue jeans took off in the 1950s, the style has evolved in many ways while keeping the classic indigo blue denim:
- Slim fit vs loose fit – Jeans originally were loose fitting but trends have cycled between slim and loose fits.
- Dark wash vs light wash – Lighter stonewashed jeans became popular in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Distressed vs clean look – Distressed and ripped jeans came into fashion starting in the punk era.
- Low rise vs high waist – The rise or waist positioning has ranged from low to high.
- Flare vs skinny leg – The leg shape has gone from flared to skinny.
There have also been innovations with stretch denim, waterproofing, and other technologies to make jeans more comfortable and functional. But throughout it all, the classic blue coloring has stuck around.
Blue Jeans Today
Blue jeans have embedded themselves globally as a clothing staple. They are popular across gender, socioeconomic status, and cultures.
The average American owns 7 pairs of blue jeans. Worldwide, consumers purchase around 2.5 billion pairs of jeans annually.
The ubiquitous nature of blue jeans today leads to an obvious question – why are they still called bluejeans rather than just jeans? Even though other colors of denim pants are now common, the term bluejeans remains the default.
Part of the reason is likely tradition and original name recognition. But it also comes down to numbers. Despite other denim colors being available, blue denim still dominates the market. Estimates suggest that 75-90% of denim jeans sold worldwide are blue.
Why Blue Denim Remains Popular
There are a few reasons why indigo blue continues to be the most popular denim jeans color:
- History and heritage – The signature blue color has centuries of tradition.
- Versatility – Blue is considered a neutral color that can be dressed up or down.
- Aesthetic – Many people are simply accustomed to and prefer the look of blue denim.
- Fading – Blue jeans look good washed and naturally faded over time.
- Production – Indigo dyeing is efficient and cost effective on a mass scale.
Blue is also flattering on most skin tones and body types. The cool tone meshes well with warmer complexions. While alternative colors like black, white, and grey have gained ground, most customers still gravitate towards classic blues when shopping for jeans.
Conclusion
Bluejeans got their name from the history of denim being dyed blue with indigo and the early use of denim for durable work pants. Even as jeans became a fashion staple and other colors emerged, the preference for indigo blue denim persists. While the style has evolved over the decades, the signature blue coloring remains an iconic part of bluejeans’ identity and appeal. So in summary, they are called bluejeans because jeans were originally dyed blue, and blue denim continues to be what most shoppers visualize when they think of a pair of jeans.
