Liberty, Justice, and Jeans for All

October 03, 2022

Denim was founded in Nimes, France, and Jeans were first developed in Genoa, Italy in the 17th century. Different fabrics named for the areas where they were conceived and manufactured. Both found their humble beginnings among working class folks who needed a sturdy fabric that could stand up to harsh treatment. In the United States, Levi Strauss famously began his denim empire in the 1800’s mostly catering to hard-working people in the western U.S. Jeans/Denim did not become a vital part of American culture until the 1950’s when several famous celebrities brought them into the mainstream. It wasn’t until the 1990’s and early 2000’s that they became a wardrobe staple. [1]

What originated as a practical clothing choice is now a booming multi-billion-dollar industry that produces thousands of different washes, fits, colors, and styles of denim each year. While it is safe to say that multiple pairs of jeans reside in everyone’s closet (the average American owns 7 pairs of denim blue jeans),[2] finding that perfect pair can sometimes be a daunting task. The Collective features three core lines of denim: DL1961, Closed, and Hudson. These companies offer a wide range of styles to fit every figure and are dedicated to creating a sustainable, high-quality, product. Most major fashion brands also design their own lines of denim so we occasionally will have some of those on hand if they meet our tough standards; a couple of notables are Munthe and Jonathan Simpkhai. The Collective staff has tried on every pair of denim that we sell and has seen jeans on thousands of bodies that frequent the store. As we head into fall and are excited to ditch the sundress for a pair of comfy denim jeans, our team is excited to share their favorites and why they love them! 

Kristin

Kristin’s go-to jean is the Mara straight midrise, instasculpt ankle by DL1961. This busy fashion designer and store manager appreciates how they hug her body in all the right places and highlight her curves. The Mara comes in a variety of colors and the slight flair at the ankle allows her athletic legs to be the best version of themselves. Because Kristin spends more time on the store floor than anyone, she can vouch for the fact that this jean looks great on almost everyone. 

Mila 

Mila tends to be part of the a la mode scene and she appreciates the refined denim produced by Closed. Her favorite jean this season is the Leira wide leg, high rise, cropped jean in light blue. As a mom of active twin boys, Mila likes a jean that allows her to move quickly! The Italian denim that Closed is famous for is always super soft and comfortable, and the unique fit of these jeans gives all who wear them a perky butt! Mila wears the Leira with a button-down shirt tucked in for a polished look, or a fitted crop top when she heads out on the town. 

Katerina 

In addition to working at The Collective, Kat manages one of the local galleries in town, so she is always on the move meeting with artists or helping her clients with an install. Her most-loved pair of jeans is made by DL 1961 - the Hepburn wide leg, high rise, slightly cropped jean. She adores how the Hepburn hugs her waist and then slowly gets wider as it moves down the leg. She loves the fit because it is soooo flattering and she has the style in multiple washes. For long days at work, she fancies the Lark wash because it has less stretch, so it doesn’t lose its shape. The distressed detail at the hem gives an edgier look and she can dress it up by wearing a heel or be more casual with sneakers. She is also psyched that DL1961 is completely focused on sustainability (link to earlier blog). 

Kathy

As co-owner of The Collective and massive fan of all things denim, Kathy gravitates toward the Starlet jean from Closed. It has a low, sexy waist, a slight crop, and the kick flare makes her legs look longer. She likes them in a distressed wash or plain, and she owns them in every color. They have a little stretch but not too much, and she feels confident and comfortable as she dashes around town for a variety of meetings, boards the plane to visit one of her kids at college or meets up with friends for cocktails!

Katherine

Co-founder and fashion guru, Katherine is also in the Closed camp with her first choice being the Baylin. It has a slim fit, mid-rise waist that hits right below the belly button and the celebrated cotton/elastic mix holds her in - in all the right places. The cropped length and kick flare make her legs look lean. Katherine loves the fact that Closed denim is made in Italy by a family-run business that pays close attention to both quality and environmental issues. She spends a lot of time on both coasts and this jean is easy to style so it is always in her suitcase!

Kristie

Kristie prefers a lower rise jean, so her tummy is not encumbered! The Beth jean by Hudson has been one of her favorites for years and she is excited that she no longer has to travel to a large city to buy them!  They are one of the few jeans available on the market these days that are long and meant to be worn with a heel (they look great with cowboy boots!); there are a few different washes available, and the button back pockets give a natural boost to the booty! If she were younger, she might wear them with a crop top, but these days she prefers a fitted button-down shirt, or a crisp white t-shirt, paired with a fun belt for a put together yet hip look. 

Gretchen

In addition to her work at The Collective, Gretchen also models part-time, so she loves some of the high fashion jeans. One of her favorite pairs was released by Munthe last season. They have a super cool geometric print and can be worn rolled up or long. She has a long slim waist and athletic figure from growing up playing mountain sports, so the high waist and fuller legs are perfect for her. They work well with a cozy sweater for crisp fall days, and for nights out they look great with a body suit.

Karen 

Karen embraces the mountain lifestyle in all ways, is a connoisseur of fine art, and is also one of the best looking 60-year-olds in Park City! She can often be seen wearing the Fayna jean from Closed which features a high waist with a fuller leg at the top that tapers down at the bottom. The black wash is perfect for work or evening fun. Karen especially likes the way these jeans can adapt to different occasions; with a graphic tee and some converse air high tops for casual days, or for a slightly dressier event, she can put on a silk tank and a heeled bootie. 

Amanda

Amanda loves the versatility of the Bridget high rise, cropped, boot cut jean in vintage wash by DL1961. When not putting together a gourmet meal for large groups of friends, she can be found hiking with her dog Nalu, or gravel biking with her husband. She loves fashion and will only wear the finest, most comfortable fabrics from brands that prioritize their impact on the environment. The instasculpt technology smooths, sculpts, and conforms to Amanda’s figure, for the perfect fit and just the right amount of stretch so she can move easily throughout her day. This style also comes in an assortment of lengths as well. 

Visit The Collective this month and let our team help you find your perfect jean!

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[1] https://www.ellicott.co/blogs/posts/denim-a-mythic-history

[2] www.revuze.it/blog/denim-jeans-market-report

Also in The Collective Thread