Research Project Cont’d
1. The arguement that I am making about jeans is that their value has changed over time. It used to be that jeans were worn as a sturdy pant that would hold up in treacherous conditions such as mining and things of that nature. But now you can look in any fashion magazine and see that wearing jeans with a sweater or jeans with a sport coat can be fashionable and hip. And refering to their actual value, jeans used to be cheap but now you can spend $100 on a pair of jeans because of the designer that made them. They used to be a symbol of what class you belonged to. If you wore jeans you were lower or middle working class and if you were above that you wore slacks. But now you can come across some of the hottest actors and actresses in a pair of jeans.
2. I expect to learn a lot about the history of the blue jeans as we know them today. Levi was the first to make many advancements in the jean industry such as putting the rivets on jeans for more strength. They are also responsible for the first de-segregated factories as well as the first jeans for women. As a matter of fact Levi desegregated before The jeans first started becoming “fashionable” in the 50’s when they were used in movies and TV shows to give the character a rebellious and “bad boy” role. In 1966, Rock-and-Roll groups recorded radio commercials for Stretch Levis and White Levis. I expect to continue to find more and more connections between Levi and the fashion market.
3. The main source of information that I have used this far is a timeline that I found on the Levi Strauss & Co. website. It has given me all of the information that I just gave in question #2. I haven’t really read anything else but I have looked through magazines to find good examples of popular people wearing jeans.
4. I still need to look at some of Levi’s competition to see if there is anything that has to do with jeans that Levi did not invent. I would also like to consult some really old catalogues that you could buy jeans from to see how drastic the change of price is. I guess one thing I’m not clear on is what the goal of the research is. Should I just be trying to find as much as I can to support my arguement? And am I using this research to inform just the class? or perhaps the World?
kkey said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:25 pm
Your argument is pretty clear- over time, the use and appeal of jeans have changed depending on the decades. I know this might be a hard thing to research, but I’m wondering- what triggered this change? If you could find some occasion that first transported jeans from work clothes to fashion, that might be interesting. You’ve done a good job of research thus far with the website, though I’d recommend having a few more primary sources to back it up, as well. Your research is reliable, since the information is coming directly from the Levi site, and it makes sense w/ your argument. I guess I would just recommended doing more research and making a clear, defined thesis. Other than that- good job, seems like you’ve done quite a bit of work already, and it’s an interesting topic
kfitz said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:53 pm
It’s so weird to think that once jeans were used just for like, dirty jobs. Especially since now Paris Hilton spends $500 on a pair she may never wear… because I don’t think I’ve ever seen her wearing pants… ANYWAY your topic sounds good, and you’ve found a lot of good information already. I would check out the library, there has to be some books on jeans somewhere. I’m interested to see what other information you will find, your paper will be really intruiging.
kfitz
khj1202 said,
November 15, 2006 at 11:56 pm
I think your argument is pretty clear and I think your topic is pretty interesting. Also, you have found good sources. I just found my resources on library web site. I used like Thompson Gale data base? I think that one is really good.
Anyway overall, you have been pretty good job!
acrerie said,
November 16, 2006 at 5:10 pm
This is a great topic… on my favorite clothing item of all time! I never really thought about the “rivets” on my jeans, you just blew my mind. Your argument seems clear, but you have a lot of work ahead of you. The history of jeans is loooong and ever changing, it’s best that you just choose one company. Make sure that your research is focused, because otherwise you’ll be swamped. Good luck, this has the potential of being a realy good project!
Vincent Noori said,
November 29, 2006 at 11:20 pm
Looks good. It is a great topic. Good ideas and an interesting argument. Maybe do a little more research, look up competing brand names, and show some sources. Paper looks ready to be written. Elaborate a little more other than that great.