Fun and Surprising Facts About Denim And More
Today we are talking about interesting facts about denim, such as the origin, how often you should wash your jeans (surprising) as well as a cute denim outfit.
Also, I’m sharing a traditional living room in the Pacific Palisades (that I decorated) that has unfortunately burned down. And some great pre-made fresh arrangements from Trader Joe’s.
It’s Five Faves time with Annie and Cindy.
The Origin Of “Denim”
The French Roots
When Annie and I were in Paris last September, we stopped at this fun store called Landline General. Yesterday, I saw on Instagram where the owner (modeling a pair of jeans) says denim originates from de Nîmes in France.
Did you know that?
So, I decided to do a little more research (please bear with me :)…
The word “denim” originates from the French phrase “serge de Nîmes,” which means “serge from Nîmes.” Nimes is a French city in the south.
Over time, the name evolved to “denim” in English, referring specifically to the sturdy cotton twill fabric that became popular for workwear and eventually for jeans.
The American Adaptation in the California Gold Rush
In the mid-1800s, thousands of miners flocked to California in search of fortune. They needed durable clothing that could withstand the harsh conditions of working long hours in rugged terrain.
Enter Levi Strauss, a German immigrant who moved to San Francisco to start a dry goods business. In 1873, Strauss partnered with tailor Jacob Davis to patent denim work pants, which reinforced stress points with copper rivets and made them more durable. These indigo pants, now known as blue jeans, became an instant hit among miners and laborers.
Initially, Strauss used brown duck canvas, a sturdy cotton fabric, but later switched to the type of denim from Nîmes.
So there you have it, if you didn’t know already!
Here I am (above) in San Francisco…birthplace of Levi’s.
Outfit Of The Week With Denim
Aviator sunglasses • J. Crew White Tee • Sezane Suede Jacket (I’ve been eyeing this for a while–and now it’s marked down) • Quince braided leather belt • Levi’s straight jeans • Quince Crossbody (I have this — well-made) • Adidas sneakers
You may also like: Why A Great Denim Jacket Is A Wardrobe Basic.
How Often Should You Wash Your High Quality Denim Jeans
Have you noticed that manufacturers of high-quality denim jeans, recommend less frequent washing to preserve the fabric and color (like once every 10 wears or more). They suggest spot cleaning and airing out jeans between wears.
I’m definitely guilty of over washing. But I’m paying attention…
The expensive Mother blue jeans that I want come with more tips (like hand washing them in the bath tub and letting them air dry (here).
Stay tuned! On Tuesday, we have a fun group talking about all the ways to wear white jeans in Winter.
Gap is having their Jeans Sale right now…25-50% off all their jeans.
Including their 70’s high rise flare jeans that are flattering on most body types and come in regular, tall and petite sizes.
Have You Considered Quince’s $50 Jeans?
I ordered a pair that were waitlisted and now they are in stock.
Burned Down: A Small Home In The Pacific Palisades That I Decorated Many Years Ago
Recently, a former client, Joanne asked if I had the 12-year-old post of her home in the Pacific Palisades to help with her insurance claims. Sadly, her home had completely burned down. My photos were so bad back then but here is the post (with before and after photos of her living room).
Sad to think that this is all gone. Joanne is living near her sister in Orange County now…so that is one silver lining that they can see each other more often.
New And Easy Floral Arrangements At Trader Joe’s
Tropical Vibe
Have you seen the tropical arrangements that are new at TJs? Like a little vacation from Winter.
Fun Ready-To-Go Succulents
These are great for now as a centerpiece from Trader Joe’s (or would make nice gifts).
Since you can separate and propagate succulents, I am going to do that later by putting them larger pots to decorate the covered patios (they can’t get too much rain water here in Florida)
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Let’s see what my friends have discovered this week:
Mary Ann—loved reading about denim. I also saw that post on Landline! I used to was my jeans every wearing… I’ve been better lately. Spraying them with vodka and hanging outdoors in the cold air freshens them beautifully!
How wonderful that your post was able to assist the woman who sadly lost her home!
Xx
Hi Mary Ann,
I’ve been following your blog for quite some time but haven’t posted a comment until today.
Love the info you give.
I wanted to comment on your previous post about The Wedding People, a great book that you recommended. I wanted to comment that the author, Alison Espach, attended Providence College and is a professor there now, My daughter is an assistant to one of the deans there so everyone is so happy for her!
Also, a side note, I’m one proud grandmother, that my oldest grandson also attended Providence College, and is a professor there now also!
I do have a question for you as you are a designer, What company would you recommend to have slipcovers made or already made for a sofa and chair? Hoping you have some suggestions.
Carol LaRochelles
[email protected]
So interesting about Alison Espach and your family’s connection to Providence College. I would suggest looking at Google reviews for local slipcover makers. That’s what I usually do as they will need the piece of furniture to measure and fit properly.
Thank you very much for your prompt reply. I was just wondering if “ready made” ones have any that are good.
Thanks again
My friend, Mercedes likes her slipcovered Big Sure sectional from Pottery Barn. She washed the slipcovers carefully and is happy with the result. I’m going to write a post about it.
I am guilty of washing my jeans too often, will have to rethink that. The necklace you are wearing in the photo looks like the one I bought at Banana Republic years ago. I never thought of wearing it with a turtleneck!
So sorry about your client’s home. I know someone that lost her home in Pacific Palisades. She went to my high school and although she is not a really a personal friend of mine, a good friend of mine is one of her best friends. I texted my friend inquiring about her home and found out not only did it burn down the first day, the daughter notified them as she and her husband were getting ready to board a cruise to Panama. They ended up going anyway because they figured they didn’t have a place to stay at home. So tragic.
Linda
Well,I’m glad they could still get away but how sad!
Mary Ann you find the best stuff at T’J’s. I was there yesterday and didn’t see any of these! Interesting history on jeans! Can’t wait for the white jean post ( I love them so much)!!
Hi Mary Ann,
Lovely Pacific Palisades interior so restful! We got so extremely lucky in the fires and our neighborhood survived, miraculously, but we had two days and nights when we thought it and gone-local news was hopeless for our area-and my husband said recently he now feels the terrible stress from his mind and body has finally lifted. But I tried to drive along the PCH the other day to get to Santa Monica and had to turn back due to storm damage but the sights of burnt out houses and charred hills is so awful and devastating and so close to us deep in the mountains. And don’t get me started on the insurance companies…
I will check out Quince jeans thank you. I joined Levi’s and got a discount and free shipping and bought the Ribcage Straight Ankle which I really love. Check it out 🙂
Very fortunate for your client that you documented her living room well. And all your design choices made a petite living room more roomy, modern and elegant. That “banister” and tile did look 70’s-80’s SoCal (we had similar in our Riverside home that went “buh-BYE!).
Love the S.F. photo of you in jeans! Although it isn’t a glam spot to shop, I encourage women (particularly those who have difficulty finding pants that fit both hip AND waist) to check-out Chico’s for their denim styles and Juliet and Brigitte pant lines. The Girlfriend denim and others are well-cut and Chico’s has mastered pull-on waist styles across their pants that fit the hip/bottom/thighs beautifully. Just ignore the pieces that are too-gaudy and look for the quality basics there. They have excellent sales, as well.
I will check it out…thanks Joan!!!
Hi Mary Ann,
Thanks for all your research on Levi’s, interesting. I knew about Levi’s and SF, that was my hone town. I used to only wear Levi’s. That was the “in” thing to wear. I think I wore the 5O5.
I bet your refresh living room is gorgeous. It helps when you know what you’re doing. I’ve heard to reupholster a sofa is like buying a brand new one cost wise.
What a huge blessing that Jeanne is living with her sister in Orange County. How wonderful you had pictures of her living room. Her room was pretty and cozy looking.
Looking forward to the winter white Jean posting.
Have a WONDERFUL week.
I used to wear the 505’s too. When I went for my junior year abroad…the Austrians wanted to buy them as they couldn’t get them there yet.
Hi Mary Ann,
I loved reading about the history of denim, I had no idea is originated in France. I also agree with the washing only every 10 wears, but I think it depends on what you were doing while wearing them. If one likes jumping in mud puddles in the rain, one might want to wash more frequently. But I got a big laugh when I read about washing the Mothers jeans in the bathtub…seriously? I can’t even imagine such a backbreaking task when you can use the delicate cycle on your machine!
Thank you for sharing the house you decorated in Pacific Palisades. You did a beautiful job working in a room with an oddly placed fireplace. But my heart breaks for her and all the families that lost their homes and businesses in both fires. It’s only been 1 month and I know it will take years to bring these areas back. As life goes on as normal for the rest of us, we must not forget those whose lives are forever changed.
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Happy Valentines Day to you, Gail. I confess I ordered those Mother jeans…so i will try to not wash them much.
Really like the jeans that you’re wearing in the above pic! Do you have a source & size?
Thanks,
Nancy
They are old from Banana Republic but I think the Gap 70’s high rise flare jeans are similar.
Masterful decorating incorporating that awkwardly placed fireplace – and what stunning art! Such a loss! Social media is suggesting that everyone check their insurance policies to be certain that if a house is in a trust name, that it gets added to the policy – the rumor is that insurers are denying claims over this issue.
Great blogpost, thank you!
Good to know about the trust, Lynn. Did you see the before photos?
I can’t imagine washing jeans in the bathtub. But for great jeans like the Mother ones you featured, I’d probably follow their suggestions. So sad about all the people impacted by the fires in California. Glad your blog could help your friend with the insurance claims. Love her living room redo, timeless and elegant. Hope she can recreate that warm, inviting room in her new home. Always a blessing to live near a sibling.
Yes, Deanna, I’m not sure I would be that diligent to use the bath tub method 🙂 Even at that price.
I helped decorate Jeanne’s sister’s house in Newport Beach…she is charming and I imagine that they have a lot of fun together.