I don't own jeans, nor does anyone in my family. I believe they are not preppy, and most of the time when someone is wearing jeans, he or she would simply look better in khaki canvas pants.
But, here are pictures from my own archives of people I know doing things I love, wearing jeans.
One can argue the case of jeans in terms that are:
- historic - for people rebelling from over-crowded New England going to the open-west, jeans (better called dungarees) were invented in 1873 by Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss. They were then adopted by and by youths rebelling in the 1950s;
- aesthetic - how do comparable outfits look with or without jeans; and
- functional - toughness (thus their use for prison uniforms), cost, availability.
If there is a conclusion, I would say that paradoxically (IMO):
- Jean are the epitome of a classic, enduring American style.
- Jeans are not preppy.
- Many preppy people wear straight legged jeans.
- Many great activities attract the use of jeans.
22 comments:
I have but really one pair of jeans.
The reason I have so little is because I have the hardest time finding a pair I like or that are comfortable.
I have to wear a compression stocking on one leg and well that is where the comfort ability is reliant upon.
If I could find a pair I like I would probably wear them.
I think that they can look preppy when worn with the right items.
Muffy,
I agree with you on jeans not being Preppie! Hey sometimes when the weather or task calls for less glam, I guess you can be a Rebel sometimes and wear jeans (Not new! not with holes!) gently faded the right straight leg cut appearance!
For the gents avoiding the Granddad jeans look with the saggy bottoms.
As I've noted before, there are regional differences in the attire of preppies or what our friend Lisa calls the High WASP. In the Northeast you spend more time with boats and water, while in the South we deal more with horses, manure, and eternal red clay. Light-colored trousers will be hopelessly stained and filthy in five minutes. So we do wear jeans, and many of the young people wear jeans with blazers, loafers, and Oxford shirts or polos. We wear khakis when we're pretty sure we won't have to actually change a tire on the horse trailer. I wear jeans for working in the garden, paint things, or clean kennels; khakis elsewhere.
j.mosby has stated my biggest objection to jeans, the dreaded old guy in jeans. Before I became a professional bureaucrat I was an electrician. I found that work khakis (eg: Dickie's) were just as cheap and durable as jeans. Plus you had the added advantage of looking like an adult.
Great courage, Mrs A!. A real can of worms, almost like an article on religion, or politics.
Could be regional differences, as stated. Also, inarguably a matter of personal taste, therefore thin ice when it comes to expressing opinions.
However, on the East Coast, not "preppie". Not even good taste, except when doing things like hanging sheet rock. Carhart, and LLB make real work trousers for real work, that are not jeans.
Also a bit of an issue when it comes to "dressing your age". Photos of people that you posted,working,notwithstanding, in this neck of the woods, jeans are usually for those very young, and those that are no longer young, but trying to look that way.
Maybe you think jeans are fine, however,take a look at the next 10 people that you see wearing jeans. If they look either "preppie" or well dressed, then that answers the question.
suburban prep - I agree it is difficult to find a straight forward pair of women's jeans, not unlike khakis.
j.mosby - That's a new and great term (Granddad jeans) to me, although not a great image!
Andrea - Good point about the clay and I agree that there are many circumstances (hence the photos) that warrant jeans. Plus, I believe if you simply like something, then you should wear it. The worst things clothes can do is keep you from what you want to be doing.
Wharf Rat - Controversial - yes! But I am always happy to take on the burning issues of our time! I agree with the thin ice comment, and thus my smattering of "IMOs"! The very young can get away with anything.
I agree wholeheartedly with your initial perspective Muffy.
IMO opinion jeans have been one of the major items in the co-called democratization of America (aka Dumbing Down)since the tidal wave of rights revolutions that began in the late 1950s & early 1960s. W
While this has been appealing to many elites, it has been viewed skeptically by most Preppies and their Trad allies. Thats because Preps and Trads view themselves as fundamentally different from the Great Unwashed.
Muffy,
Your response to Andrea could't have been better worded! I have always said that clothes are essentially an extension to one's self.
-Ryan P.
Oh my, indeed a question for the ages.
As a stay at home mom to two very young children, I would immediately jump to say jeans are a must. However, khakis are definitely more comfortable. And one (if you're a savvy gal) worries about the "mom jeans" connotation.
So the question will remain, I suppose.
As an aside: I too am from the South. However, I've never dealt with horses or their manure, much less had to change a tire on any type of vehicle. Andrea's comment is a rather strange "generalization" regarding people (and their activities) in the Southern states.
I always thought work khakis like Dickey's were as cheap and durable as jeans, plus you get the added benefit of looking like an adult.
Thank you for allowing me to post your link, I want to share your wonderful IMOs!
James, I am so sorry I made you double post. Mea culpa. I agree with the Dickie's. I really like the cut of them as well. And thank you so much for such kind words in your post. They are aspirational.
Colleen - My hope is to democratize around classic taste and function, not the lowest common denominator.
Ryan P. - Thanks. Well said.
JDB - The dreaded "mom jeans" - the female version of j.mosby's "granddad jeans". I do understand the world Andrea is describing (as much as a New Englander can!), and having dealt with a good deal of manure in my life, she makes a decent point.
Muffy & everyone,
I have noticed that many of the same folks keep commenting. I am growing rather fond of reading not only what the wonderful Ms. Aldrich has to say, but what everyone else has to say as well. So many insightful minds. Well done everyone.
As for jeans... LLB 1912 jeans for men have a nice, clean-cut look and are, dare I say, very preppy when paired with an oxford and loafers or boat shoes. This is not an outfit JFK might have worn, perhaps, I'll grant you that, but by today's standards, it is a very preppy look.
Even by yesterday's standards, jeans are preppy. In the classic book (Take Ivy) there are many examples of preps wearing jeans and looking very dapper. Yes they are young, but the question Muffy asked was are jeans preppy, not are jeans only for young preps.
So yes, jeans are or can be considered preppy, technically speaking. But, dressing one's age is also preppy, so it depends upon one's DOB. IMO.
Keep fighting the good fight everyone!
At the east coast prep school I attended in the 1970s, jeans were not allowed to be worn to class, meals, or to chapel. In other words almost all of the time the school's uniform of jacket and tie, and anything but jeans, prevailed. But in the few hours we were allowed to wear blue jeans (Saturday night and on Sunday after lunch) almost everyone sported jeans. But only Levis. I regularly wore jeans when not in the office in my 20s and 30s, alternating with khakis mostly, and gradually stopped wearing them altogether in my 40s. I haven't worn them since then, as I think they are not becoming to most people over the age of 50, which is where I find myself these days, much to my surprise.
Oh, and although preppies do wear jeans, they never refer to them as dungarees.
Ugh... I loathe (myself) in khakis... I love a nice soft pair of worn in jeans with a button down or polo shirt... most especially I love jeans and a cashmere sweater... my go to outfit in cooler days... worn with a nice belt, pearl earrings and ballet flats. (I still have one pair from my college days I used to wear with cashmere cardis and LLBean blucher moccasins...) This prep loves her jeans!
Fun blog!
While glancing at the news the other day, I saw our vice president getting off a plane & greeting people on the tarmac. The sound was low so I couldn't hear or see where he was - but it appeared to be an overseas trip. He was wearing a great looking blue blazer and jeans! Have to admit I was shocked because that it NOT what the vice president of the u.s. should be wearing while on some type of diplomatic trip. However, it was another reminder that I'm getting old, stuffy and nostaglic for when adults dressed liked adults & jeans were reserved for the garden, horse barn or dog kennel.
I think jeans have their place. Management at my place of employment are encouraged to support Friday casual days, which basically means we wear jeans. I generally only own one pair of jeans at a time, and they are real denim, not some "urban" version of denim, straight cut legs, etc..
What makes jeans decidedly NOT preppy is everything else worn. A pair of New Balance trainers moves jeans to not preppy, where a decent tassel loafer can be ok, I think. If I have to wear the jeans, I can still wear a decent shirt and shoes with it.
"Are Jeans Preppy?" Well they are practical, and they are comfortable. More so than khakis? They are both cotton (Dickie's are full of artificial fiber) so it depends on how well worn they are. Both are great in different circumstances. But to circumvent the debate we call jeans five pockets and move on. As in, are you wearing Five pockets or khakis?
Probably not preppy, but there are times when nothing else will do.
I'm too old to wear them anyway. :)
(James sent me over!)
I find jeans to be very chic when worn in the appropriate circumstances....I would rather see a man in a dinner jacket and jeans rather than in a dinner jacket and plaid shorts as i have witnessed in many events.I was first introduced to preppy style when i went to college in Boston. Being french, I had never seen so many patterns of ducks and others on belts, pants....but got used to the look, never adopted it though....then was married to a Bostonian...who loved to wear jeans...
I agree, jeans are not preppy. I grew up wearing jeans, but I made the switch to khakis. Its just a more stylish look. One thing that bothers me is when I see men wearing blue jeans on the golf course. Makes me feel like I'm playing golf with a plumber or construction worker. I always ask my friends to please wear a nice pair of shorts, khakis or slacks. Show respect for the game by dressing up a bit!
Just saw these pics of JFK: total prep & no jeans http://www.complex.com/style/2011/05/style-icon-jfk
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