Denim was not always as refined as OB’s Cavalry Twill — it took over a century to go from heavy, unflattering workwear to the wardrobe essential it is today.
Denim, at its most basic, is a simple cotton weave, but it has become one of the most ubiquitous materials in wardrobes across the world. From miners to musicians, cowboys to celebrities, the humble fabric has changed a lot since the first pair of trousers that vaguely resemble jeans were made 140 years ago.
While the forerunners to modern denim had been used for everything from sails to workwear, the weave we know today started life when Jacob Davis was asked to make a pair of trousers for an unusually sized worker. The sewn bindings were not strong enough to hold the heavy weave sold by Levi Strauss, so he riveted it together – a design still used to this day.
Image courtesy of Levi Vintage.
As the 19th century gave-way to the 20th, denim in its still unrefined form moved from factory worker and ranch hand to the wardrobe of the everyday person thanks to Hollywood. The life of the American frontier changed from a harsh reality into a romanticised facsimile of a memory. John Wayne became the archetype: a revolver totting denim wearing anti-hero that always got the girl.
It was not until the 1970 that the weave became anything close to refined. Focusing on more flattering fits and lighter materials, Calvin Klein created the first of many examples of designer denim that would become the forbearer to the twill used today. For the next 30 years, denim would follow the format laid out by Calvin Klein with little alteration.
In the last few years, with the domination of dapper and sophistication in men’s clothing, denim has started to evolve again. At OB, we believe that the classic denim garment can be improved with tailoring and attention to detail.
Our Cavalry Twill range features a lightweight version of the classic weave in a flattering jacket, two lengths of shorts, and a pair of trousers. Available from OrlebarBrown.com, in stores, and at stockists across the world.
UPS Standard (2-5 Business Days) $10.00
UPS Express (2-3 Business Days) $15.00
UPS Next Business Day $50.00
UPS Standard (2-5 Business Days) $17.00
UPS Standard (3-5 Business Days) $60.00
UPS Standard (4-5 Business Days) $90.00
UPS Standard (4-5 Business Days) $90.00
UPS Standard (3-5 Business Days) $100.00
UPS Standard (4-5 Business Days) $150.00
Orders made by midday (EST) will be despatched the same working day.
Orders are despatched Monday to Friday and delivered on working days. (Please get in touch if you require a Saturday U.K. delivery.)
If the goods are returned to us, a second redelivery charge will be incurred.
If no one is available at the delivery address to sign for the goods a card will be left with details for re-delivery and/or collection. Organising a redelivery is the responsibility of the customer.
Handling and custom fees may apply to packages sent outside the E.U. Any duties payable will be the sole responsibility of the customer and may need to be paid at the time of delivery.
Items sent outside the U.S. will incur a handling fee from the carrier not included in the postage price.
We do not deliver to P.O. Box, BFPO or freight forwarding addresses.
Depending on the policy of non-UK banks in some cases we are only able to deliver to your debit/credit card billing address.
