Denim is a sturdy cotton fabric woven in a specific way that makes it incredibly durable. The weaving technique creates diagonal lines you can see if you look closely at your jeans. Originally made in Nîmes, France (which gives us the name: “de Nîmes” means “from Nîmes”), denim became the fabric of choice for workwear because it could withstand hard labor without tearing.

In the 1850s, a tailor named Levi Strauss started making work pants from denim for California gold miners who needed clothes tough enough to survive rough conditions. These became known as blue jeans, and they changed from workwear to everyday clothing that people of all ages wear around the world.

Denim starts out stiff and dark blue, but it softens and fades with washing and wear. Many people love how their jeans develop a unique, worn-in look over time. The fabric is traditionally dyed blue on one side and left white on the other, which is why jeans fade to a lighter blue instead of staying dark forever.

Today, denim isn't just for jeans. You'll find it in jackets, skirts, backpacks, and even shoes. Its combination of strength, comfort, and style has made it one of the most popular fabrics ever created.