Jeans, jeans, denim: here is the real difference to never confuse them again
When we speak of "Jeans" is it a "Jean"? Is the term "denim" the same thing as jeans? So many questions sometimes remained unanswered, and of which we nevertheless have the last word.
And for good reason, if to this day the confusion still persists between these three terms, the editorial staff Marie France wishes to highlight this subject, to detect the true from the false. So, in order to save you time, let's start by ending the suspense. No, “Jean” does not designate either “Jeans” or “Denim”, since these three notions all have their own description. And this, even if over time, the terms have moved away from their first definition.
What is the difference between Jeans, Jeans and Denim?
1. What is "Jean"?
Generally, when you enter a store, you are asked to try on “Jeans”. And yet, the law of fashion would require that we ask for a "Jeans" or "a pair of Jeans" in English. Because in reality, the Jean does not refer to the pants, but is a fabric originally made from cotton, wool, or linen and sometimes hemp. The latter appeared in northern Italy in the Middle Ages in the 13th century, and is then called "futain of Genoa", the main city in which it is produced.
At the time, this solid and resistant textile became the raw material for farmers' underwear, linings and work clothes. Indeed, the coarse and unsinkable weaving of the jeans hardly absorbs water, and allows better insulation for the workers.
It was not until the beginning of the 18th century that this cotton twill weave became popular in England, where it had been exported in large quantities since the 16th century. A success such that the production of jeans is diversified to Lancashire, near the city of Manchester. The threads are then dyed in the same color, and the jeans - the fabric - are mainly found in brown and ecru tones, then its name is transformed into "Jeane" or "Jean", in reference to the city of Genoa.
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But for jeans as we know them to be woven from indigo and ecru yarns, it was not until the middle of the 19th century.
2. What is “Denim”?
Often confused with serge de Nîmes, which is produced from wool and a mixture of wool and silk, denim is a 100% cotton material. A confusion between these two terms which mainly results in the fact that the serge de Nîmes was produced in its city of origin, but also in various places in France and Europe in the 18th century. However, this filiation differs from traditional denim.
And for good reason, the story goes, that it was this particular weaving method exported to England that allowed the British futainiers of the time to draw inspiration from the weaving technique of Serge de Nîmes to make way for the jeans.
Moreover, if to this day the amalgam also between "Jean", "Denim" many points differ between these two fabrics, since contrary to Jean, Denim is not tinted in the heart of the fiber. This causes a gradual and natural fading of denim garments. Denim is also known to be less rigid, and more pleasant to wear than jeans -fabric-. This is also why it is used more to make jeans -trousers-.
Where does the name “Denim” come from?
Still to this day, the debate is open as to the origin of the term “denim”. Because if its name appeared later than Jean, it is likely that it is closely linked to the spinning mill of Nîmes, which has been producing Twill since the 16th century. The notion "Denim" would then be the contraction of "De Nîmes", even if the city only produced wool twill.
3. What are “Jeans”?
At its beginnings, the Jeans acted as overtrousers, woven from the “Jean” fabric that the cowboys wore in the Far West. Time has done its work, and Jeans have finally become Denim canvas pants, more comfortable to wear, which can now be found all over the world, as its use has become widespread.
Where does the name “Jeans” come from?
Little used in France, and unfortunately replaced by "Jean", the "Jeans" is however the only one to designate the famous pants. Hence the expression "a pair of Jeans" in the language of Shakespeare. In addition, the Jeans are made from Denim fabric, which is also called "Denim Jeans".
Be that as it may, there is no doubt that after this fashion session, we will find our way around all the more easily.
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