Even though today’s jeans are made of denim, they’re named after a completely different fabric. A cotton, linen and/or wool blend was being manufactured in Genoa, Italy, first popularized in the sixteenth century – and that fabric was called “jean.” By the eighteenth century, jean cloth was made entirely of cotton, and was mostly used to make men’s clothing, as it was valued for its superior durability. Denim was also being manufactured at the time, and it eventually proved to outperform jean when used for work clothes. The working man’s “jean pants,” as they were called, were gradually replaced by denim pants – but old habits die hard, and people still referred to the clothing – no matter what fabric it was made of – as jean pants, or jeans.
How to find a great-fitting pair.
As we all know, a terrific pair of jeans can work wonders for a person’s aesthetic appeal. But in most cases, the perfect pair can be elusive: they fit great in the waist, but they’re too short. Or the waist is too big, but the thighs are so tight they’re cutting off your circulation. The reason it’s so hard to find great-fitting jeans is because it isn’t just their size, but their shape, that matters. Just because you can easily button and/or zip a pair of jeans doesn’t mean they fit – they also have to be the right size in the butt, hips, thighs, and inseam. And there are as many varieties of jeans as there are varieties of body types, so finding a pair that really fits may take you a while.
A word of advice: if you’re going to splurge on one item of clothing, splurge on a pair of jeans. Since basic jeans are such a wardrobe staple, and never go out of fashion, you’re going to be wearing them for a while – so you’ll definitely get your money’s worth. Go for quality construction and a great fit, even if they cost more than the brands you’re used to buying.