GOOD JEANS
Our Favorite Denim Moments
The word “denim” doesn’t exactly conjure up images of high fashion. However, that doesn’t mean it can’t make for a memorable fashion moment. Denim has completely permeated every corner of the sartorial world, as well as our wardrobes. Let’s take a look at some of the most memorable and iconic denim moments through the years.
JAMES DEAN IN REBEL WITHOUT A CAUSE
James Dean was the symbol of youth rebellion in the 1950s, and his Levi’s 501s (along with the famous leather jacket and white T-shirt, of course) made him a bona fide pop culture icon. His looks in Rebel Without a Cause and Giant (which garnered him an Oscar nomination) made him a star, while the jeans themselves essentially should’ve earned their own award for Best Supporting Sartorial Cultural Icon.
JANE BIRKIN’S EVERYDAY DENIM
The personification of 1970s cool, Jane Birkin quickly became known for her off-duty, laidback luxe image. Her usual choice consisted of nothing but a simple white T-shirt and flared jeans, which inspired millions of girls around the world. She often paired the look with her at-the-time trademark straw bag until she became the inspiration for the namesake Hermès Birkin bag. Because of Jane Birkin, denim and luxury joined hands.
BROOKE SHIELDS’ CALVIN KLEIN AD
“Do you know what comes between me and my Calvins? Nothing.”
Brooke Shields was only 15 years old when she uttered those now-iconic words in her 1980 Calvin Klein ad, which caused a public uproar. The ad was banned by ABC and CBS in New York, but Klein didn’t back down from his choice. In fact, the negative publicity became just as much a part of the marketing campaign as the ads themselves.
DAISY DUKE’S DAISY DUKES
Jean shorts, a shorter (and literally cooler) version of blue jeans appeared in the 1950s and 60s as “cut-offs,” but it was with the help of Dukes of Hazzard character Daisy Duke in the late 70s and early 80s that they got short. Real short. Catherine Bach’s iconic character Daisy Duke immortalized the barely-there denim shorts so much that “Daisy Dukes” became the name associated with skimpy denim cut-offs. In fact, they were so short for the time that the network made Bach wear flesh-colored tights!
KATE MOSS & MARK WAHLBERG’S CALVIN KLEIN AD
Calvin Klein yet again gave us a forever-memorable denim moment when Kate Moss and Mark “Marky Mark” Wahlberg appeared together in Klein’s infamous 1992 TV reel shot by Herb Ritts. Both Moss and Wahlberg were rising stars at the time, and Moss completely changed fashion’s aesthetic by ushering in the new waif look (later known as “heroin chic”).
BRITNEY & JUSTIN’S MATCHING VMA ENSEMBLES
No “memorable denim” list would be complete without mentioning Britney Spears’ and Justin Timberlake’s unforgettable matching denim outfits that they wore to the 2001 MTV VMA’s. Sadly the ensemble choice (Britney’s idea, of course) was completely ridiculed at the time, but since then, this iconic red carpet moment has been copied by the likes of Katy Perry at the 2014 VMA’s and even Ryan Reynolds & Blake Lively on Instagram (with some help from Photoshop).
Obviously, this isn’t an exhaustive list of the best denim moments. Other jean-ius ideas have made their way into pop culture history (TLC’s condom-emblazoned red carpet looks, Bruce Springsteen’s Born in the USA album cover, both the Susan Sarandon, Geena Davis and Brad Pitt decked in jeans in Thelma and Louise, the boys of Brokeback Mountain, the greasers in The Outsiders and Claudia Schiffer in that hot Guess ad), and with denim as ubiquitous in the fashion world as it is now, there will undoubtedly be many more to come.
