Distressed Denim

The distressed denim trend dates back to the 1970s, when Punk culture was beginning to take off. Many punks in Britain began distressing the majority of their clothes; punks were tearing sleeves off of jackets, putting pins in their tops and pants and of course, distressing their jeans. Some saw the act of distressing as a symbol of the punk commitment to deconstructing British conservative structure. The trend carried on from the seedy Punk Rock venues, to the big stages of hair metal acts and grunge bands. For a time, distressed denim was a more common sight than new, non-distressed denim. Though the trend has died down a bit in recent years, plenty of distressed jeans and jackets still look great, whether you’re looking to dismantle the establishment or just get a fit off.

Where did distressed jeans come from?
Distressed jeans first became trendy in Britain in the 1970s.

What was the original name for jeans?
Jeans were known as “waist overalls” until the 1960s.

Where can I buy distressed denim?
Many brands use distressed denim in their clothing and a lot of it is available on Grailed.