When Denim gives a Pop

ICONIC DENIM MOMENTS IN POP CULTURE Written by Ashley Glass, Fashion Staff Writer Graphic by Emma Gray, Arts Curator

Whenever I watch an episode of “Friends,” I find myself having the urge to recreate Rachel Green’s organic ‘90s persona. Jennifer Aniston’s natural beauty along with her character’s emblematic denim looks represent timeless garment pieces through the decades. However, “Friends” only sheds a small glimpse on denim’s true influence, as countless celebrities including Justin Timberlake, Britney Spears and Princess Diana have helped shape our understanding of denim as a timeless staple. Airing in 1994, “Friends” envisions raw denim through a ‘90s point of view. By employing the ageless fit of denim into the fashion pieces of its main female lead, Rachel Green, the show institutes the rise of denim overalls. As shown in season one, episode two, “The One With the Sonogram,” Rachel is sporting classic denim breeches with a white tank underneath.1 Even though overalls can be portrayed as manual work attire, Rachel shifts the laid-back look into a more desirable, fashionable one.

Television is not the only means of media swept into the movement of Wranglers, Levi’s and dungarees. In the 2001 American Music Awards, Justin Timberlake and Britney Spears gave the public one of the most iconic red carpet couple looks. Repping a sweetheart neckline denim floor dress, accompanied by a petite denim purse, Spears complemented her at-thetime-boyfriend Timberlake’s head-totoe denim suit. The astonishing look inspired other celebrities’ future denim outfits, such as Katy Perry and Riff Raff at the 2014 MTV VMAs.2

The entirety of denim is centered around the rise of vintage. However, denim can also be a symbol of regalia. Princess Diana did not only dress to impress—rather she used her clothing as a means of expressing herself. By doing so, her people saw her as downto-earth, approachable and honest. While giving a speech in 1997 in Angola, for example, Princess Diana sported vintage denim jeans with an appropriate black blazer.

One of my favorite Diana denim looks is from 1988, when she displayed the fashion of upper-class English with straightlegged jeans tucked into tall brown boots, a blazer and a baseball cap.3 A princess in blue jeans and a baseball cap? Denim has a way of returning everyone to a fundamental state. Jeans can emphasize the normality of anyone, whether it be a princess, music artist or actor. We can all capture the finery of royalty fashion, the styles of top-chart artists and the flair of our most beloved sitcom characters through a pair of classic, organic denim jeans. These iconic denim moments act as timeless muse for the classic raw look. ■

¹ Brenna Opelka, Chloe Pantazi, Susanna Heller, “Rachel Green’s 35 Best Outfits on ‘Friends’,” Insider, Feb. 2018. ² Julia, Hays, “Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake’s Denim Date Happened 15 Years Ago Today,” Eonline, Jan. 2016. ³ Alice Newbold, “When Princess Diana Did Denim: These 15 Royal Looks Will Inspire You To Go Vintage Jeans Shopping,” Vogue, July 2020.