The podcast dives into the unique combination of intense weather in Limerick, a live podcast at a folk festival with discussions on English working class, politics, Winston Churchill, Irish history, racism, and colonization. They explore the fashion trend of bootcut jeans in the early 2000s and the rise of the breakfast roll in Celtic Tiger Ireland. They also reflect on fashion choices, cravings, Patreon support, and the freedom of listener-funded podcasting.
Denim jeans have a rich history rooted in fabric traditions from France, Italy, and West Africa.
Flared jeans gained popularity in the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by the gay community and the US Navy.
Denim jeans evolved from functional workwear to symbols of authenticity, rebellion, and free-spiritedness.
Deep dives
The history of denim jeans
Denim jeans have a long history that traces back to fabric traditions in France, Italy, and West Africa. In the 1700s, enslaved African people in America wore a type of coarse gray denim fabric for their labor. The fabric was dyed blue by the West African tradition of indigo dyeing. In the 1930s, denim jeans became a symbol of authenticity and artistry in American cities as people sought a nostalgic connection to the Wild West. During World War II, soldiers were given denim jeans for their downtime, spreading the popularity of jeans internationally. In the 1960s, flared bell-bottom jeans gained popularity in San Francisco, influenced by the gay community and sailors in the US Navy. Flared jeans subsequently became associated with counterculture movements and teenage rebellion. The early 2000s saw a resurgence of boot-cut jeans, influenced by nostalgia for the 1970s. Overall, denim jeans have evolved over time to represent various cultural and fashion trends.
Denim jeans in the American Gold Rush
Denim jeans have roots in the American Gold Rush of the 1800s, where workers needed durable clothing for harsh conditions. Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss patented riveted jeans in 1873 to prevent denim from ripping. The fabric was initially worn by miners, cowboys, and workers as functional workwear. Denim jeans gained popularity due to their durability and practicality for labor-intensive jobs. Over time, denim jeans transformed from workwear to a fashion staple that symbolized rebellion and authenticity.
The rise of flared jeans
Flared jeans became popular in the 1960s and 1970s, influenced by the gay community in San Francisco and the US Navy. Soldiers in the Navy wore flared bell-bottom jeans, which were initially designed for easy rolling up when working on ships. The style resonated with the counterculture movement, as jeans evolved from workwear to a symbol of rebellion and free-spiritedness. Nostalgia for the 1970s in the early 2000s led to a resurgence in boot-cut jeans with flared bottoms, worn by people seeking a retro look.
Denim jeans and the Great Depression
During the Great Depression, denim jeans gained popularity as a symbol of authenticity and Americana. The tough, durable nature of denim made it a practical choice for people facing economic hardships. Cowboys became revered figures in movies and popular media, which contributed to the widespread adoption of denim jeans as a fashion item. The desire for a rugged, independent spirit associated with cowboys and the Wild West led to the popularity of denim jeans among city-dwellers seeking to emulate that image.
From soldiers to fashion icons
During World War II, soldiers were provided with denim jeans as part of their uniforms. This exposure to denim jeans spread their popularity beyond workwear and into casual fashion. After the war, denim jeans became a symbol of rebellion and non-conformity, adopted by teenagers and counterculture movements. The versatility of denim jeans as both functional and fashion-forward clothing allowed them to transition from workwear to cultural icons.
