One thing the modern and retro wardrobe has 100% in common is jeans! Today, it's unthinkable to walk down the street and not see someone wearing jeans - they've become a fashion staple. It's a neutral bottom that we can wear for all occasions by styling the top up or down. But that wasn't always the case.
Denim (jeans) originated in the USA, where Levi Strauss began producing denim workwear in the 1870s, in the form of trousers with the famous double stitching and copper rivets for extra durability.
At the time, it was intended as clothing for the hard and grueling work in the mines and for cowboys on American ranches. It's hard to imagine other clothing from the 1870s that we could easily wear today without standing out significantly from the crowd. Imagine crinolines, corsets (for men and women) and floor-length linen work dresses.
Lady Levi's - the first jeans for women
Although jeans were 'invented' back in the 1870s, it wasn't until 1934 that women got their first pair of jeans. These were still workers' clothes, made for the hard work on the American ranches. Levi Strauss had seen hard-working women borrowing their husbands' and brothers' jeans and realized it was time to design jeans specifically with women in mind. Hence, the Lady Levi's model 701 was born.
It was still a shocking thing to see a woman in pants, especially even jeans with a front button closure. Although Vogue actually had an article on jeans and casual wear in the 1930s, it wasn't until the 1940s, during World War II, that jeans for women became popular and more standardized as workwear in factories. We might think of "Rosie the Riveter", and the factory working women who produced for the war effort were also called "Rosies". When we see images from factories that produced munitions, planes, tanks and ships, these women are often wearing jeans and denim pantsuits.
Jeans from Freddies of Pinewood
Jeanies Jeans are a true 50s style in 100% cotton, without stretch. But with the best fit, softness and durability. This model is high-waisted with slim legs, large front pockets and perfect for turn-ups. They close at the side.
Grease Monkey The pantsuit from Freddies Of Pinewood is designed from an authentic 1943 pattern and has all the details you would associate with a pantsuit from that era, while also being timeless due to its beautiful feminine fit.
Soo Z Q is the more slouchy 50s-style model with a side zipper and slim legs. Again, the fabric is 100% soft cotton, giving the desired true vintage feel. These jeans are perfect with shirts such as those from The Seamstress of Bloomsbury.
Jeanies Jeans from Freddies Of Pinewood
Grease Monkey jumpsuit from Freddies Of Pinewood
So Z Q Jeans from Freddies Of Pinewood
1950s youth rebellion
In the 1950s, jeans for teenage popular culture thanks to actors like James Dean in ' Rebel without a Cause ' and Marilyn Monroe in 'The Misfits'. In fact, Wild Blood was supposed to be a black and white film, but when it was decided to shoot the film in color, the blue Lee jeans were dyed even more blue, making them even more eye-catching as a symbol of his rebelliousness. But other icons such as Marlon Brando and Elvis Presley, who grew up on a farm, also helped jeans become a symbol of youth rebellion.
Jeans on the catwalk
While jeans from before the 60s were meant to fit the individual in style and shape, a high stretch content of course has the advantage of fitting virtually everyone regardless of body type. The fabric of many modern jeans has become thinner and has lost the durable nature that originally made them so popular and unique.
In the 1970s, jeans entered the fashion scene and in 1976, Calvin Klein designed jeans for the catwalk for the first time in fashion history. It wasn't until the 1980s that stretch was added to denim, and it wasn't until the 1990s that this became standard practice with slim fit cuts that, as we approached the 00s and the beginning of the new millennium, had to sit well below the waist.
The 1990s was the decade where most fashion houses, Dolce et Gabbana, Versace, Dior etc. got their own jeans brand.Stretch is what stylistically separates jeans of the past from those of today.
Jeans were banned in theaters, restaurants, schools and other public institutions, which only further reinforced their image as being for the 'wild youth'. In the 1960s, the youth and rock culture embraced jeans further and jeans gained popularity as an item of clothing throughout the Western world.
Jeans from Lady K Loves
Lady K Lov es makes their jeans in the durable denim but adds a bit of stretch for a comfortable modern fit - the best of both worlds! The brand is based on 1950s Rock 'N' Roll and in addition, Lady K Loves strives to be a sustainable and socially responsible brand. In their Indian factories, only women work. They use sustainable dyes and locally produced cotton. They also work in the local community to ensure they have a healthy workforce and care for the environment. The jeans fabric is imported to the UK where men and women finish the jeans.
We carry the Classic, Polly and Le Wild styles.
Le Wild model is a real 50s western denim. It has a high waist with slightly wide straight legs, and it closes in the best vintage way on the side. Le Wild is a classic boot cut that has room for boots underneath and is truly the perfect vintage jeans. It has a bit of stretch for modern comfort. Pair it with the Frida boots from Miss L Fire for a beautiful retro-inspired look.
The Classic The model is Lady K Love's classic model with a high waist and slim leg that fits true to size in hip and waist, based on measurements from their customers on Lady K Love's Facebook page. These jeans are more fitted and are ideal for flared hems for the perfect pin-up 50s look. This style is especially great with our Mondo Kaos T-shirt or our Pussy Bow shirts, for example. Estelle from Heart Of Haute. You can also venture into the true 50s greaser look by tying the shirt on the stomach, for example. Our shirts from Very Cherry are perfect for this.
Polly The Polly model is the same as the Classic, but is designed for the more petite woman, i.e. it has a lower rise and leg length.
Le Wild Jeans from Lady K Loves
Classic Jeans by Lady K Loves
Polly Jeans from Lady K Loves
We hope that you as a reader learned a little more about the story behind and our range of jeans. If you have any further questions, we are happy to answer them if you write to shop@mondokaos.dk.
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