We are showing you the Canadian version of our site: would you
prefer a different location? A descendant of a fabric known as
Serge de Nimes (shortened to des Nimes), denim is a robust
cotton material that has made an indelible impact on modern
clothing. The fabric dates back to the 17th century, where it
was used for making sails, upholstery and clothing for the
working classes, particularly in Italy. The word ‘jeans’ derives
from the trousers and clothing made of a denim-type fabric worn
by the Genoese navy. Denim shirts, jackets and overalls then
travelled the world, popularised in the late 19th and early 20th
century, particularly in the American West, where prospectors,
miners and ranch hands relied on these durable work clothes.
Denim’s durability and low-maintenance made it ideal as
‘workwear’ and in the U.S. companies soon began designing denim
trousers for specific purposes. A good example are jeans with
stitch lines on the outside of the leg to make them more
comfortable to wear on horseback. As the