you've come a long way, baby!

First thing's first, jeans are pants or trousers made from a type of woven cotton cloth called denim. Similar articles of clothing made from something else - like corduroy (cords) or canvas - are not jeans.

Although the word "jeans" was derived from bleu de Genes, a French phrase that means the blue of Genoa, denim's provenance can also be traced outside of the denim-making French town of Nimes (hence, "denim") to India where sailors in Dhunga wore denim trousers which later became to be known as dungarees, and to Renaissance Italy where the Genoese Navy were supplied with denim trousers (allegedly from France as they frequented the French shores). Generally, indigo dye was used to colorize denim until synthetic indigo dyes were invented.

But the blue jeans that we are familiar with today made its most significant cultural and social impact in the United States. Probably the most representative article of American clothing, blue jeans were first crafted by tailor Jacob Davis and Levi Strauss, a dry-goods salesman. Originally intended for those who worked in the mines in California, the durable clothing was patented in 1873 and later on also became a popular and practical choice for farmers, cowboys, loggers and railroad workers. And due to the nature of the work of all these menfolk, Levi Strauss & Co. introduced the use of copper rivets to delay the onset of wear and tear and reduce strain on the fabric. And the yellow golden thread soon came after when they ran out of indigo-colored threads, and stayed for good. Blue jeans for the blue collar workers who laid the foundations for what's to be romatically called the land of milk and honey.

The advent of World War II saw the mass production of jeans in the United States in various colors though blue still held its predominance. Modifications on the workwear's normally simple cut were introduced as the industrialization of war called for utilitarianism. No country was able to fully conquer and own another when the war ended but the blue jeans was just in the early stage of world domination.

It was Marlon Brando and James Dean who made jeans fashionable by wearing them in their movies. Suddenly, the jeans morphed into being the badge of rebelliousness - a form of expression immediately embraced by the youth culture heavily embroiled in antiwar and civil rights protests. Fashion as identity was the norm and still is.

It was in the 1960s and 1970s that designers began to jazz up the stylings of blue jeans by adjusting their fit and opting for a more sophisticated appeal. They also emphasized informality and subtle detailing. By highlighting the label and achieving the right look, the blue jeans, despite their worker origins, ironically embodied the status consciousness of American fashion and the excitement to approximate the latest fads around the world.

truer than blue

I started wearing jeans way back in grade school. It was the 80s and Brooke Shields had already made the landmark statement: "Nothing comes between me and my Calvin's." No, I was not as um intimate with the jeans I wore as Ms Shields was and something - make that some people - came between me and my Lee (or was it Pepe?) - my sisters. We were young and physiologically an inch or two would not make any difference specially when safety pins or a belt is on hand. Fortunately, they started developing curves where I developed none but fat. So the jeans bought for me when I officially became a teen were exclusively mine.

From then on, I ran through life with the latest fads in jeans at every stage. The front-pleated baggy jeans, the acid-washed, the stretch (the dinosaur of today's skinny), the stone-washed, the dare-to-wear-Don-Johnson-white, the multi-patched, the frayed and decaying faux vintage - virtually any fad whose cost is within the realm of imagination that my allowance or salary would tolerate.

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here comes the how to

Us men should not leave the shopping to women. Not entirely. Specially for jeans. And more specially if you are single. So here's a few tips on how to go about finding that right fit.

First off, keep in mind that comfort should be the primary goal. Try distancing yourself from the dictum that says fashion was never meant to be comfortable unless you're a fashionista at heart. And after all, the snazziest-looking pair will look downright odd if you look like you're in pain somewhere.

Secondly, try considering your day-to-day routine. If you don't work the corporate jungle and you're basically a homebody, then you have few limitations when choosing a style. But if you make more visits to the boardroom than your garden, a more conservative look should be your cup of tea. However these are just the general rules of thumb and what should matter most is how you want to look and feel and what the environment you prowl allows.

Classic does not mean boring. Classic styles can still give off some flare. It's how you wear them. But to be on the safe side, avoid going for the kill, er, fashion-forward kind of flare. Say no to extra tight fits, extra-low risers, tapered silhouettes, bell-bottoms and heavily embellished varieties. A straight cut or a boot cut should bode well for you.

When you've picked the pair to parade in, go to the dressing room and actually wear it. And no, the "waistline" is not equal to the girth of the neck. Take time out to check how the crotch, legs and waist look and feel. And even if it makes you feel a little vain, check out how your booty looks, too. There's no need to hurry and if you're unsure, check out other styles or sizes as well. And remember this, because most jeans shrink, having them altered as soon as paying for them is not a good idea. Soak them overnight - some even take a newly bought pair to the shower - to be sure. Or you can ask the salesperson about the nature of the fabric before you have them hemmed.

Another practical idea is to prance (for lack of a more manly word) around the store wearing the desired pair. This should give you an idea of how they would actually feel afterwards. Also, check your level of comfort when you sit down wearing them. And would the pockets serve their purpose and handle the stuff you normall stuff in them? Are they itchy in some parts? And by the way, keep your shoes on while you're at it as generally, jeans' back cuffs should fall just above the sole and shoes do add to your height. So try wearing the shoes - and the belt too - you most often wear when you go shopping so as to help you approximate the right length, and to prevent you from choosing the wrong color and making unplanned purchases.

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color, hue, wash

Since there's no telling what style in jeans would come next, it is wise to choose jeans that are tried, tested and hands down timeless. And other than the engineering employed, this mantra is also applicable to colors, the hue and the overall wash or finish. I know flashy-colored jeans (including white) abound of late, but red might not be the "in" thing to wear next week, right?

The classic blue (or indigo) jeans are the most iconic of everyday wear. They are so versatile they can go straight from a farm to the White House with no apologies. You can pair them with almost anything and still look good. Heck, you can go roaming the streets without a top and still draw oohs and ahs from onlookers. But to unlock their adaptability you have to be resourceful and are certain of where you're going. A crisp shirt and a sports jacket - you're off to work. Misplace the jacket and roll up your, sleeves then you're ready to party! Or put on a vintage tee, hey there good lookin'!

Although faded jeans can never be as formal as their indigo counterparts and are rightly considered to be the king of men's casual wear, they still can be made to look hip and current. A clean shirt under a slim-cut tee (not body hugging) plus a tailored jacket would do the trick.

The black jeans are a little tricky. They are not as interpretation-friendly as the blue or faded jeans because black does not work its magic the same way it does to, say, the ladies' little black dress. When it comes to jeans, black is not the staple or the neutral palette you might imagine it to be because although black jeans can be worn like the deep blue or washed jeans, they are more selective of the color you would pair them with and moreover, they hate repetitiveness - meaning, their recall is stronger.

Gray jeans on the other hand are a good alternative as office wear or costume to formal events. Their sense of edginess is turned off when they're worn with the proper elements of a suit like a dark, streamlined dark jacket, a less ostentatious-looking belt (yeah, the buckle mostly), a silvery tie and a complementary shirt. A word of caution - make sure the jeans aren't too tight or too loose either.

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some tender loving care

So how do you care for something that in all probability will outlive you? Easy. Try these tips.

Do not iron your jeans. Other than the fact that it is so not fashionable to wear jeans that have creases running from the thigh down to your shoe, ironing deadens the texture and dulls the color.

Avoid sending your jeans to the washer as frequently as you would the rest of your clothes. Jeans feel and look better when they're sort of aged. But this does not mean you should not wash them. And when you do, wash them inside out (to protect the color) and preferably with no other articles of clothing going with them in the tub to shun lints and maintain their overall form (ie, less tangling). And do not use bleach!

Since we've agreed that good looks only comes next to the rights of your neighbor, there are ways to keep your unwashed but not soiled jeans from stinking. First is to wedge a sheet (a towel would do) laced with fabric conditioner/softener inside the jeans. This would not only eliminate unwanted smell but will also soften the denim. Second is to put your jeans in a plastic wrap and place them in the freezer. The cold will exterminate odor-causing (not to mention overly ambitious) bacteria from coming to life.

And lastly, do not put your jeans in the dryer. Tumble drying them will also mangle their shape. Instead, put them on a towel to dry or if at all possible, hang them so that no part of the jeans will need to be folded over.

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the fly debate

Contrary to popular belief, the first pair of Levi's came with a button fly. It is said that the button fly was used to give the kind of support that the copper rivets provide - longevity. When the zipper fly was introduced, it somehow eclipsed the popularity of the buttoned variety which, until now, is commonly believed to be a late innovation in jeans fashion. But I digress. This is not a chicken-or-the-egg sort of discussion. This is about what makes the other the better option.

• Zipper shortens the time it takes to open and close the fly. Highly important when you go drinking often. Conversely, buttons can sometimes be too cumbersome.
• You lose one tooth of the zipper, you have to replace the whole darn thing.
• In the battle of the bulge, a button fly enhances what's real or imagined (unless you don't want that extra bulk). And if you gain weight, chances are, you might put more stress on the fabric that holds the zip.
• The button fly is the safer choice when you let nothing comes between you and your favorite blue jeans.

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these shoes are made for walking...with jeans

When you think of jeans, chances are sneakers come immediately to mind. And there's nothing wrong with that. For jeans and sneakers form an unbreakable affinity. But give your jeans more credit (and your sneakers a break) - they can be as versatile as your white shirt. They can take on a different look when you pair them with other kinds of footwear. Imagine if you will...

A brand new pair of sneakers! Yeah, give your classic white trainer the time off and get yourself a new pair. Sneakers have evolved from being strictly sporty to interesting and fashion-conscious. Experiment with color, texture and design. An au courant pair should only elevate your style status. And I trust you know the difference between tacky and fashionable.

Many things have been said about spaghetti westerns but I have yet to read some writeup that criticizes cowboy boots. That is because boots and jeans are another match in men's fashion heaven. But since this is the real world, and I assume you don't actually ride a horse to work, try to go less conventional. Forgo the studs, the chunky hiking soles and tame that passion for straps and buckles. Instead, opt for the mid-high variety with trendy square toes.

Slip-on shoes like loafers and moccasins can help you in taking your jeans to a casual meetup or a dressier social. There are a variety of styles and the possibilities are endless. But the key to finding the right pair lies in the shirt you will be wearing. Classy-looking loafers should work well with any button-down shirt while driving shoes are ideal for golf shirts and the likes.

Oxfords is the term for sturdy lace-up shoes that are not sneakers. They are an icon among shoes and every man should at least own a pair. As there are an abundance of styles, again, you should take into account the shirt you will be wearing and the occasion you will be going to. A pair with trendy detailing (look for those European labels) should make you a hit in clubs while a more conventional-looking pair should help you fit right in at a more formal affair.

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And I almost forgot - nowadays, men's waistline, or where the band falls on the torso, is no longer aligned with the belly button in such a way that it's covered as was the norm in the past. Your jeans' top most button should now fall an inch or two below it.

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