Ripped Jeans

Fashionable or Disrespectful and Cruel?

Hello,

This is me (above) walking my daughters English Bull Dog, Ollie this past March 2024. Notice my jeans. Trendy huh? I may be late to this decade old fashion craze but look closely. Mine are a bit different. The frayed holes you see were made the old-fashioned way… I earned them. Several years of yardwork, hiking and kneeling on every imaginable surface did the trick. Now, it’s time to retire them.  Throw them out. Use them for rags or recycle them if possible. Whatever. My mother would be proud. She of course would never approve of my wearing them in public, even on a remote trail. Why would you let others think you were poor? Or, working as a menial laborer? Not because she looked down on those that were but because her standards went beyond anyone’s current financial situation.  

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I apologize to those I am about to offend, primarily women. At the risk of being ostracized, canceled, doxed or shunned here goes. Please stop wearing denim jeans that are intentionally distressed: by adding holes, rips, tears or frays. Either by yourself or by laborers in 3^rd world countries. This fad has gone on far too long.

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For what feels like an eternity, you’ve seen jeans like mine, worn as a fashion statement by celebrities, housewives’ students, and some adventurous men. Blown out knees, thighs, fannies, and dramatically, frayed cuffs define the look. Some appear to have been blasted with shotguns, grenades, land mines or perhaps the result of being mauled by a pack of Pit bulls. Whatever statement you were trying to make is duly noted. Now it’s just silly. Please stop.

I am not a fashion aficionado and, in all probability, out of my depth. But I feel compelled to speak up. Let me tell you why I feel so strongly about this fashion craze. Wearing distressed jeans, in my opinion is:

Disrespectful…..Hurtful…..Cruel…..Unethical

It trivializes the challenges faced by the economically depressed.

This is the short version. I will elaborate further but first a little background.

A Brief History of Denim Jeans

Denim jeans were first developed in the 19th century by Levi Strauss essentially for the working-class including miners, farmers and factory workers. Since their introduction in 1873 denim jeans have cemented their presence across all levels of society, spanning many decades, and numerous social movements.

Wearing denim jeans in the early years meant you were doing manual labor and living below the poverty line. Unable to afford replacements workers’ jeans often sported rips, tears holes and frayed cuffs.

Hollywood began showing denim jeans on Cowboys in movies during the 1920’s and 30’s. But denim jeans continued to be a durable, staple for those engaged in hard labor.

In the 1940’s GI’s (World War II soldiers) in Europe and the Far East wore denim jeans while off duty. Although this development was not widespread, when combined with popular music and movies many began to associate denim jeans with our uniquely American way of life, laying the groundwork for the future spread of American culture around the world.

Fueled by Hollywood movies and the rise of the youth culture in the 1950’s and 60’s denim jeans were often associated with rebellion and delinquency. The adoption of denims by certain sub-cultures such as rock-n-rollers and motorcycle riders was viewed as further eroding traditional values and respect for authority. Think James Dean and rebel without a cause (1955) or Marlin Brando in “The Wild One” (1953). Both of which clashed with an America that placed an emphasis on conformity and respectability.

The 1960’s were marked with significant social and cultural change. The rise of a counterculture, the civil rights movement along with anti-Vietnam war protests infiltrated nearly every part of our lives. Baby boomers turned denim into a canvas for personal expression and of course, rebellion. What better way to express our identities, beliefs and affiliations? Not to mention pi*s them off.

Here are a few you may recall:

• Hand painted motifs like flowers, peace signs, slogans, and psychedelic designs.
• Patches were perhaps the most popular way to make political statements.
• Embroidery was artistic and colorful. Also, a lot of work.
• Bleaching and dying, often tie-dying.
• Beads and fringe added a bohemian flare.

Let’s not forget the co-opting of naval pants and their reincarnation as “bellbottoms”. I always felt they were more for women. Especially when hip-huggers were added to this look, lowering the waist line often to uncomfortable levels. Then, of course, stretch jeans made with elastic (spandex) came along. They were more like an outer layer of skin. If you looked like Barbie or Ken, you were fine.

Note: I still remember the very first time as an older teen, I purchased my first pair of blue jeans. Just plain old Levis, blue and stiff. I must have been away at college. They cost me five bucks. The same as a fast-food hamburger today.

Denim jackets popularized by the Marlboro man seemed to be everywhere. I wore one to Woodstock in 1969. Unlike my sleeping bag it survived another 20 years.

The 1970’s and 80’s witnessed the expansion of denim jeans into the very heart of mainstream fashion. Brands like Gloria Vanderbilt, Calvin Klein and Jordache combined street ware denims with high fashion giving us “designer jeans”.  A bit more stylish and comfortable, they also carried a hefty price tag.

Distressed denim as we know it today began in the 1990’s as part of the Grunge fashion movement. Grunge icons like Kurt Cobain of Nirvana and bands like Pearl Jam and Soundgarden wore torn jeans as part of their signature look. Then all hell broke loose and the wearing of distressed denim jeans went from a niche fashion trend to ubiquitous. They seemed to be everywhere and in every closet. History clearly shows, if you have an agenda, a cause, a complaint, or simply want to make a statement “do it with denim”. No other article of clothing seems to have such universal messaging appeal or staying power.

The Fashion Industry is a multi-trillion-dollar global enterprise influencing not just what people wear, but also significantly impacting global economies, cultural practices, and social norms. I’m up against a juggernaut. In addition, as mentioned earlier I may be offending a substantial number of women across every demographic. Women who either wear or will support to the death, the right of others to wear Holey Jeans. Therefore, I must bring in the BIG GUNS.  I will rely upon a dash of good old fashioned plausible, hyperbole. The righteous embellishment of my version of the truth.

My Reasoning & Formal Plea

I am calling upon women across America and the world to please discontinue wearing denim jeans that are distressed, blown out, ripped, frayed or worse. Here is why:

Life Span- This fad even if universally practiced has lived well beyond its historic expiration date. Make room for others. Think wide ties, miniskirts, tie-dyed, paisley, etc. They come and go. So can this fad, hopefully for good.

Social consciousness-

Arguably, never in the history of mankind have so many showed such a high regard for the need’s, rights, feelings and safety of nearly every type of minority group or subculture: Including race, creed, economic level, sexual orientation, immigration, status, neural diversity or physical handicap. There’s a group watching over every one of them and their well-being. It seems to me the blown-out denim jeans trend is out of step with the spirit of today’s kinder, gentler, social consciousness.

1. The wearing of distressed jeans, or any other article of clothing for that matter, trivializes the challenges of those financially disadvantaged and struggling to afford basic necessities. 
2. It is hurtful to those less fortunate than ourselves including housewives, students and young adults struggling to make ends meet, let alone afford the latest fashion trend. 
3. The Production of distressed denim jeans requires additional energy. Depending upon their country of origin, this would be either coal, oil or natural gas. Therefore, contributing to Global Warming and impacting Climate Change to perhaps irreversible levels. It follows that the additional time required to ruin a perfectly good pair of jeans increases their cost, needlessly. I wonder what the assembly line worker thinks about American values?

4. 

   Sweat Shop manufacturing. I came across a video of this woman distressing a pair of jeans somewhere in China. You can view the entire Reddit video by clicking here. Pretty shocking to watch. Notice the buildup of denim material in her ear. Hopefully a wakeup call to everyone enabling these deplorable working conditions in 3rd world countries and in less regulated nations such as China.

5. Some in the fashion industry have positioned themselves as patron saints of the environmental movement. Promoting some types of denim jeans as sustainable, recycled, cruelty-free, 100% organic cotton, gender neutral and of course, gluten-free. This is good, but blowing up denim jeans seems out of step with being “green” or socially conscious.
6. The higher retail price tag for distressed or designer denim may seem frivolous and wasteful or at least in poor taste to those less fortunate. For that matter to anyone with a sense of frugality.
7. Is it possible that intentionally placed holes, are meant to showcase areas of the knees, thighs and posterior in order to show more skin? To be playful or perhaps provocative? Surely this might conflict with the values and beliefs of a number of religious groups around the world. Would Islam or its Muslim followers look favorable on such exposure? Could this be perceived as disrespectful, rude or insulting? It is not for me to say.
8. What about the mental health of young teens. Given the pressure applied by peers though social-media (TikTok) how can they say no to purchasing trendy, expensive designer jeans with holes? Jeans, they or their family may not be able to afford or even want. Could this create an unhealthy burden on already vulnerable middle schoolers, leading to anxiety, depression, or worse?
9. Historic respect for the working class is being eroded while flaunting distressed denim jeans. Previous denim jean fashion iterations between 1900 and 2010 or so, shared a common practice or belief. Respect for the group for whom denim jeans were designed in the first place, the working class.  This latest never-ending display of distressed denim seems like a cultural mis-appropriation that demonstrates a callous disregard for a maligned, marginalized, overlooked minority that in no small way, built this nation. Poking fun at their economic status even if unintentional is no less demeaning. In all probability most would be too proud to acknowledge their hurt. Levi Strauss is rolling over in his grave.

Finally

It is not my desire to quash anyone’s right to self-expression. I am not calling for a worldwide ban on distressed jeans. Rather, I encourage you to take a new look at this trend and your possible involvement in fostering disrespect for those less fortunate. A voluntary abstinence that would send a clear message of support for ethical manufacturing. Tell your friends.

Now it’s time to Take the Pledge. Send a copy to a friend.

Tear along dotted line and mail to me.

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