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History of Denim Jeans in the Black Community

January 26, 2023

History of Denim Jeans in the Black Community

Denim fabric originated in 16th century India, and was an indigo-coloured heavy fabric sold to Portuguese sailors to make fabric for sails. It was also used for clothes mainly worn by the poor. On May 20, 1873, Levi Strauss & Jacob Davis got their patent on the process of adding rivets to men's pants, namely their denim jeans. Since then, these iconic pants have undergone countless styles and coloration changes with the social trends, particularly within the black community, where denim jeans has had a long and significant history. In the early 19th century, they used to be referred to as 'Negro clothes', as slave owners purchased them for their slaves to wear due to its' durability, and it distinguished them from the clothes...