Iconic Clothing Of The West
By Art Gib
The western world, particularly the United States, has greatly influenced the culture, fashion, art, and entertainment of just about every country in the world. You can’t travel to a remote country without seeing the famous iconic logos of soft drinks, sports teams, fast food chains, and clothing designers. The culture of America has become a part of every culture. Although many people would claim that fashion belongs to Europe, no one can deny that a few iconic pieces of clothing that are worn throughout the world by millions originated in the western world.
Jeans
The blue jean is the ultimate American fashion. From their roots as work clothing for early factory workers, blue jeans have become the preferred trouser for people all over the world. Jeans are the ultimate comfort pants. In the mid-1800s Levi Strauss popularized the riveted jean as work clothing for workers in mining communities. Jeans came into popularity as clothing for teenagers in the 1950s when celebrities like James Dean wore them on the big screen. Since that time, blue jeans have become a worldwide phenomenon.
T-shirts
Another popular item that began as an item of clothing used for workers was the t-shirt. During the 19th century, t-shirts were developed as an undergarment for miners and stevedores. After the Spanish Civil War, the U.S. Navy wore a cotton crew-necked short-sleeved t-shirt as part of their uniform. By the time the Great Depression hit the world, the t-shirt was the ideal lightweight garment for workers and farmers. Like jeans, t-shirts came into popular fashion when they were worn by celebrities in cinema of the 1950s.
Cowboy Hat
Although many versions of a tall hat like the cowboy hat exist around the world, it is believed that Mexican sombreros influenced the version of the cowboy hat made so popular in the West. Cattle ranchers known as “cowboys” wore cowboy hats to keep the sun and dust out of their face while they worked. The modern flat-brimmed hat with a straight sided crown with rounded corners was invented by John Stetson.
Athletic Shoe
The athletic shoe is another iconic invention of the western world. As the name would suggest, athletic shoes were developed as footwear for athletes. After World War I, sports in the United States became more and more popular as a way to demonstrate strength and patriotism. The revival of the Olympics in the early 20th century also contributed to the rise of the athletic shoe as the comfort shoe of choice.
About The Author
Blue Eyed Girl (http://www.shopblueeyedgirl.com/) is a designer clothing boutique such as Hudson jeans where bohemian-chic meets romantic flirty. It’s the sexy, fun and sophisticated woman who loves a relaxed, casual style. Art Gib is a freelance writer.
Distributed by Content Crooner