Denimology

I express no emotions, just opinions. The average consumer like me doesn't know or care what a "denim head" is. We are not designers or brand managers, yet our wallets make or break a company's bottom line. Frequently, managers in new product development are on the cutting edge of design, but lack awareness of certain needs because they aren't selling to end users every day. This is why my company has us take our managers out on field visits (my industry is scientific). I haven't heard the words "bell-bottoms" or "high waters" used among consumers under age 35. However, these old silhouettes are back today in new fabrics with minor variations. The fashion industry tweaks them and re-launches them as new products using new terms. Most industries do this, including mine. The silhouette of black stretch leggings hasn't changed much since 1985. The same goes for those 1970s style Charlie's Angels flares now on the racks. Everything old becomes new again. The difference between then and now is that consumers don't have to wear it. Decades ago, CONSUMERS DID NOT HAVE OPTIONS. When silhouettes changed we had no choice but to adapt, since that was all that was available. You had to wear the dictated hemline length. This isn't the case today. In that regard, I did not prove your point.

Your right I must not be informed, considering I do product development for over a dozen high-end denim labels, you must have more information that I do, as I've worked in the industry for over a decade:) As you pointed out the various styles that we can chose from you proved my point, but I can tell you’re emotional about the issue, so there is no point in explaining. But," I do think that silhouettes need to change otherwise we'd still be wearing bell-bottoms or high-waters." Meaning there would be no other options or change over the last thirty years...

Jason, I cannot fathom what you are talking about with regard to "denim heads." If you are truly informed, you would know that "bell bottoms" are currently sold as flares today, and "high waters" are called cropped denim. Yes, people are wearing them. Never before in any decade have we had so many denim choices as we have today: cropped, long, low waist, high waist, skinny, wide, flare, straight, skinny flare, traditional, trouser, short shorts. Did I leave any style out? No one has to change to adopt to a dictated silhouette or trend anymore. You can pick whatever you want from all those choices. The days of fashion dictators are over, in case you haven't noticed.

Aaron: Fashion isn't necessarily about following trends but it is about staying current with style, look up the definition. Style is different than fashion, and I agree with that being about an individual’s comfort with what they wear in particular. Semantics really. Although, many denim heads are not necessarily fashionable, and they have appreciation for a particular garment and it's qualities of production. I do think that silhouettes need to change otherwise we'd still be wearing bell-bottoms or high-waters. I was just remarking on those(denim-heads) who prefer only raw denim in a skinny form aren't going to be immediately comfortable wearing straight leg distressed denim because it's such a dramatic change in style and they may not be comfortable switching "mode" as such, thus not being "fashionable". It's not offensive, just explanatory.

I hated this look in the 80s, and I hate it now. It's never a good look in any decade. Paying triple digits for this look is a complete waste of money. I know Stacey London would back me on this one.

jason: Real fashion is no longer all about following trends-thats for sheep!!

The coolest looking people are the ones who feel comfortable, no matter what the are wearing.

One day you may feel like wearing ripped skinnies, the next you may want to wear a raw jean that hangs off your arse, who cares as long as you like it.

True denim lovers never let fashion dictate what they wear.....

But i do agree a lot of this "premium denim" is poor quality, and only gets the status because of celebrity exposure. It is destroying the credibilty of real premium quality denim.

It depends. I love quality hand done distressed denim like Gilded Age, and Prps. These are at the way highend and are definate luxury items rather than premium. Many of the ripped/distressed premium denim looks cheap and is not unique imo. On example is current/elliot who's denim fits poorly and is of not high quality, but got celebs to rock them and thus became infamous. It also depends on how you wear the denim...If you pair with a nice top and designer shoes, maybe a nice jacket or coat then I think your stylin. On the other hand some people just take the look trashy and wear vintage looking everything and that looks bad. I think going from dark raw denim to extremely ripped/distressed is shocking to those who aren't fashionable and get to comfortable with a particular look. Like guys still hanging on to the skinny jean. Get over it, it's fashion.

It seems I've tried it all LOL I have a pair of old Levi's that I have torn up and made to be boyfriend jeans, another pair of my old SFAMs that I originally used for painting, now I can rock them ANYTIME because ripped/painted jeans are back IN. I also have bought some CE's too :) And I have bought some cheap H&M Skinnys that I tore up :) I think I like my CEs best though LOL