In a country that has always prided itself on its toughness,
individuality, and youthful spirit, we share one common thread, woven
through time and unchanged in popularity -- durable cotton denim jeans.
Journey through the history of jeans, from their invention during the
Gold Rush through the turbulent eras that preceded the 21st Century.
Watch as denim slacks help Americans define themselves, whether that
definition is strong, unpretentious, pretentious, informal, comfortable,
classless, haute couture, hard-working, or reliable. Also, revisit the
craze for vintage blue jeans, when faded and worn fueled a frenzy of
global buying. Artful photography of denim as seen on bodies, in retail
stores, and in the flea markets of America, add to the thoughtful
essays, making this a iconic book certain to be treasured in fashion
circles for decades.