Photo Retrieved from http://www.prohiphop.com/album_cover_art/
Weekly Analysis: “Skinny Jeans”
History of Skinny Jeans (Skinny-fit Pants, 2009)
Skinny Jeans have made a comeback! Skinny jeans originated in the 1950, with stars such as Roy Rogers, Marilyn Monroe, and Sandra Dee. Skinny jeans have a snug fit through the leg, with a small opening at the bottom. Other names for skinny jeans are drainpipes, stovepipes, cigarette pants, pencil pants, skinny pants, or skinnies. In the late 50’s early 60’s rock stars and country musicians began wearing skinny jeans to assist them with their bad-boy personas. In today’s society we still see that. The group “New Boys” are doing the exactly same thing that previous artist such as The Beatles and The Rolling stones have done (Skinny-fit pants, 2009).
In the 1970’s skinny jeans ran flared bottoms right out of town. During that time skinny jeans were wore by punk band members and their followers. Skinny legs were often tailored to meet the need of the wearer, zippers, patches, and boots were used to dress up skinny pants. In the 1980’s, heavy metal bands wore acid wash skinny legs. They wear an alternative to spandex. During the 80’s skinny legs were dressed up with high top tennis shoes like converse. Supporters of this fad included Bon Jovi, Kiss, and Michael Jackson (Skinny-fit pants, 2009).
Skinny Jeans Today
I am a strong believer of history repeating itself. Almost all of the old fads are hip and fashionable again. Ladies are wearing lots of bangles and big purses. Guys are wearing haircuts such as the Mohawk and the Gumby. And skinny pants are back!!! Skinny leg jeans are everywhere now. In movies, video, actor and actresses are wearing them. Individuals can wear skinny jeans to work, to party, and to simply relax. Skinny jeans can be dressed up or dressed down. They are basically becoming the “New Thing”. Skinny legs are making it okay to wear clothes that are the “right size”. They are alleviating the “baggy pant” trend.
A lot of people no longer are wearing baggy clothes. There still are individuals who do still wear baggy pants; however skinny jeans are taking over. Men, women, boys, and girls are wearing skinny jeans. Rappers such as Kanye West, New Boys, and Common (to name a few) are wearing skinny jeans. These rappers and many more wear their skinny jeans with nice high top or low top sneakers, with a fitted shit, maybe a hat, sun glasses, and possibly a scarf. Women on the other hand, can wear skinny jeans with flats, heels, or high/low top sneakers, with whatever type of shirt they desire.
In the Rap/Hip-Hop industry Skinny legs have become the jeans to wear while “Jerkin”. The hit song “You’re a Jerk” by rap Duo New Boyz has made skinny jeans and Jerkin worldwide phenomenons. Jerkin consist of moving your legs in and out called the "jerk", and doing other moves such as the Reject, the SpongeBob, the Dip, and the Drop (Jerkin, 2009). The dance movement came from the west coast, Los Angeles, California to be exact (Jerkin, 2009). The term “Jerkin” means “crackin” or fun (Jerkin, 2009). These Jerks (people who jerk) usually wear bright colors, skinny legs, flannel, Vans, Jordans, or Nikes, vest, and loose fitting shirts (Jerkin, 2009).
I love the new era of skinny jeans; however it has its drawbacks. One being people trying to sag skinny jeans, which defeats the point of wearing them. Sagging is sagging and it should be avoided as much as humanly possible that goes for both men and women. Skinny jeans are great because they can go with virtually anything. I think this trend will be around for quite a while, at least until it evolves into another trend. I think it is great that the hip-hop and fashion industry were able to merge together once again this time with a more desirable look opposed to sagging pants.
History of Skinny Jeans (Skinny-fit Pants, 2009)
Skinny Jeans have made a comeback! Skinny jeans originated in the 1950, with stars such as Roy Rogers, Marilyn Monroe, and Sandra Dee. Skinny jeans have a snug fit through the leg, with a small opening at the bottom. Other names for skinny jeans are drainpipes, stovepipes, cigarette pants, pencil pants, skinny pants, or skinnies. In the late 50’s early 60’s rock stars and country musicians began wearing skinny jeans to assist them with their bad-boy personas. In today’s society we still see that. The group “New Boys” are doing the exactly same thing that previous artist such as The Beatles and The Rolling stones have done (Skinny-fit pants, 2009).
In the 1970’s skinny jeans ran flared bottoms right out of town. During that time skinny jeans were wore by punk band members and their followers. Skinny legs were often tailored to meet the need of the wearer, zippers, patches, and boots were used to dress up skinny pants. In the 1980’s, heavy metal bands wore acid wash skinny legs. They wear an alternative to spandex. During the 80’s skinny legs were dressed up with high top tennis shoes like converse. Supporters of this fad included Bon Jovi, Kiss, and Michael Jackson (Skinny-fit pants, 2009).
Skinny Jeans Today
I am a strong believer of history repeating itself. Almost all of the old fads are hip and fashionable again. Ladies are wearing lots of bangles and big purses. Guys are wearing haircuts such as the Mohawk and the Gumby. And skinny pants are back!!! Skinny leg jeans are everywhere now. In movies, video, actor and actresses are wearing them. Individuals can wear skinny jeans to work, to party, and to simply relax. Skinny jeans can be dressed up or dressed down. They are basically becoming the “New Thing”. Skinny legs are making it okay to wear clothes that are the “right size”. They are alleviating the “baggy pant” trend.
A lot of people no longer are wearing baggy clothes. There still are individuals who do still wear baggy pants; however skinny jeans are taking over. Men, women, boys, and girls are wearing skinny jeans. Rappers such as Kanye West, New Boys, and Common (to name a few) are wearing skinny jeans. These rappers and many more wear their skinny jeans with nice high top or low top sneakers, with a fitted shit, maybe a hat, sun glasses, and possibly a scarf. Women on the other hand, can wear skinny jeans with flats, heels, or high/low top sneakers, with whatever type of shirt they desire.
In the Rap/Hip-Hop industry Skinny legs have become the jeans to wear while “Jerkin”. The hit song “You’re a Jerk” by rap Duo New Boyz has made skinny jeans and Jerkin worldwide phenomenons. Jerkin consist of moving your legs in and out called the "jerk", and doing other moves such as the Reject, the SpongeBob, the Dip, and the Drop (Jerkin, 2009). The dance movement came from the west coast, Los Angeles, California to be exact (Jerkin, 2009). The term “Jerkin” means “crackin” or fun (Jerkin, 2009). These Jerks (people who jerk) usually wear bright colors, skinny legs, flannel, Vans, Jordans, or Nikes, vest, and loose fitting shirts (Jerkin, 2009).
I love the new era of skinny jeans; however it has its drawbacks. One being people trying to sag skinny jeans, which defeats the point of wearing them. Sagging is sagging and it should be avoided as much as humanly possible that goes for both men and women. Skinny jeans are great because they can go with virtually anything. I think this trend will be around for quite a while, at least until it evolves into another trend. I think it is great that the hip-hop and fashion industry were able to merge together once again this time with a more desirable look opposed to sagging pants.
References:
Slim-fit pants. (2009, September 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved
September 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Slim-fitpants
&oldid=311597501
Jerkin'. (2009, September 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:03,
Slim-fit pants. (2009, September 3). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved
September 6, 2009, from http://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Slim-fitpants
&oldid=311597501
Jerkin'. (2009, September 7). In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 10:03,
Very creative topic! Skinny jeans are a popular clothing item in our culture again. I agree that fads in our culture do tend to repeat themselves, fading in and out over time. I am not a big fan of "skinny jeans" myself, and I must note that there are some people that wear them that should not be fans either...hence the word "skinny" jeans! :)
ReplyDeleteGreat post! I learned more then I every wanted to know but was afraid to ask! Great assessment on what is old is new again, fashion always seems to repeat itself. The nice part of that is that just about everything is "in" right now ( with the exception of parachute pants). I myself am stuggling with new jean trends - I miss my 100% cotton levis with OUT stretch - I sure hope those come back!
ReplyDeleteHi, Sharon. Great post! I hate to admit it, but I've been around through most of the changes you described and my wardrobe tried to keep up but has dismally failed. Just as well since I would give skinny jeans a bad name now. They don't look so good on those of us over 50. It is interesting that fashion trends and dance go hand-in-hand as you pointed out in your post. Thanks.
ReplyDeleteDitto to Carolyn, but boy would I like to be able to squeeze into a pair. It will never happen! I was from the hip hugger, bell bottom generation and the same comments were made of the fashion we wore. I just worry about circulation issues with skinny jeans.
ReplyDelete