Blue jean bop

Possibly no other apparel cuts through the chaos and age as well as a good pair of jeans does. Do they ever go out of style? No. Ever since dark blue workers’ overalls made of denim started in the late 19th century, jeans have become the sartorial benchmark. Bond Street businessmen wear them, as does James Bond. In other words, they’re hip, they’re cool and they’re ubiquitous. Here’s a look at some classic styles:

1 Low-rise

Also known as “low-riders” or “hip-huggers”, this immensely popular style is so called as it sits right on the waist or just below it. The lower your jeans ride, the higher your cool quotient.

He’s wearing: Jeans from Tommy Hilfiger for Rs 5,000

2 Boot cut

In the disco-fuelled ‘70s, bellbottoms were the rage. Two decades later, they made their re-appearance as the boot-cut. Basically this is a slim-fit style that flares out at the bottom to accommodate boots.

He’s wearing: Jeans from Levi’s for Rs 2,499

3 Skinny jeans

They’ve been the rage for the last few seasons and their popularity doesn’t seem to be waning. If you have a slim, non-bulky figure, then this is the style for you. Full of attitude and with an edgy silhouette, the skinny is the real deal.

He’s wearing: Jeans from GUESS for Rs 4,995

4 Washed jeans

This style puts the spin on the classic faded jeans. The fade was one of the charms of wearing old, weathered jeans until someone sought to give washes to brand new jeans, giving them a faded look. Our advice: Go for the less radical washes.

He’s wearing: Jeans from CK for Rs 6,495

5 The straight fit

The commonest fit is also the most comfortable. They give you a silhouette that’s right for you and fall straight and true. Think James Dean, think classic. That’s the straight fit for you.

He’s wearing: Jeans from GAS for Rs 5,100

Two denim debates

Skinny vs Straight fit

Immensely popular now, the revival of the skinny jeans is one of the major style movements of this decade. They are unbelievably slim, and look great with sneakers or boots. And what’s more, they’re pretty much de rigueur for every cool new rock band.

On the other hand, the straight fit jeans will stand by you in a way the skinny won’t. They provide more room and comfort and look great with almost anything, and come in infinitely more styles than skinny jeans.

1. He’s wearing: Jeans from GUESS for Rs 4,995

2. He’s wearing: Jeans from CK for Rs 6,495

Pre-washed Jeans vs clean dark-wash Jeans

Why wait for your jeans to grow old if you can buy the faded look on a brand new pair? That is the marketing mantra behind pre-faded jeans. And it is fine if the fade is a bit muted and does not come with some hideous extreme wash.

On the other hand, nothing can really beat the classic dark-wash jeans with not a trace of a ready-made fade. They look infinitely better, and actually give you a lot of joy as they grow old and fade.

1. He’s wearing: Jeans from GAS for Rs 5,100

2. He’s wearing: Jeans from Levi’s for Rs 2,499

Super-fly

There is no way to discriminate between the two basic styles of flys. Both will hold up brilliantly.
1. Zip-fly jeans from Levi’s Rs 2,499.
2. Button-fly jeans from Sisley Rs 2,999.

The time line

It’s difficult to pinpoint the exact cultural point at which jeans became iconic. But it would be safe to say that the modern jeans came into its own in 1950s America, just as Elvis Presley— that jean-clad totem of modern pop culture— was storming teenage hearts with sexy, rock ’n’ roll allure. The humble denim has never looked back, adapting to every successive change in popular tastes—from bell-bottoms to baggy.