<P> Jeans are a type of trousers, typically made from denim or dungaree cloth . Often the term "jeans" refers to a particular style of trousers, called "blue jeans", which were invented by Jacob W. Davis in partnership with Levi Strauss & Co. in 1871 and patented by Jacob W. Davis and Levi Strauss on May 20, 1873 . Prior to the Levi Strauss patented trousers, the term "blue jeans" had been long in use for various garments (including trousers, overalls, and coats), constructed from blue - colored denim . Originally designed for cowboys and miners, jeans became popular in the 1950s among teenagers, especially members of the greaser subculture . Jeans were a common fashion item in the 1960s hippie subculture and they continued to be popular in the 1970s and 1980s youth subcultures of punk rock and heavy metal . Nowadays, they are one of the most popular types of trousers, especially in Western culture . Historic brands include Levi's, Lee, and Wrangler . </P> <P> Research on the trade of jean fabric shows that it emerged in the cities of Genoa, Italy, and Nîmes, France . Gênes, the French word for Genoa, may be the origin of the word "jeans". In Nîmes, weavers tried to reproduce jean fabric but instead developed a similar twill fabric that became known as denim, from de Nîmes, meaning "from Nîmes". Genoa's jean fabric was a fustian textile of "medium quality and of reasonable cost", very similar to cotton corduroy for which Genoa was famous, and was "used for work clothes in general". The Genoese navy equipped its sailors with jeans, as they needed a fabric which could be worn wet or dry . Nîmes's "denim" was coarser, considered higher quality, and was used "for over garments such as smocks or overalls". Nearly all indigo, needed for dyeing, came from indigo bush plantations in India until the late 19th century . It was replaced by indigo synthesis methods developed in Germany . </P>

Where did the term blue jeans come from