American Experience

Riveted: The History of Jeans

Riveted: The History of Jeans reveals the fascinating and surprising story of the iconic American garment. They’re more than just a pair of pants — America’s tangled past is woven deeply into the indigo fabric. From its roots in slavery to the Wild West, youth culture, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics are writ large.

Riveted: The History of Jeans

52m 39s

Riveted: The History of Jeans reveals the fascinating and surprising story of the iconic American garment. They’re more than just a pair of pants — America’s tangled past is woven deeply into the indigo fabric. From its roots in slavery to the Wild West, youth culture, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics are writ large.

Previews + Extras

  • Trailer | Riveted: The History of Jeans: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Trailer | Riveted: The History of Jeans

    S34 E1 - 1m 45s

    Discover the fascinating story of this iconic American garment. From their roots in slavery to the Wild West, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics is writ large.

  • When Blue Jeans Got a Bad Name: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    When Blue Jeans Got a Bad Name

    S34 E1 - 7m 14s

    Over the fourth of July weekend in 1947, 4,000 motorcycle riders, wearing leather jackets and blue jeans roared into Hollister, California for a three-day rally. The small town woke to motorcyclists in an unusual uniform: leather jackets and blue jeans.

  • Levi Strauss: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Levi Strauss

    S34 E1 - 53s

    You might think that Levi Strauss invented jeans. In reality he is the man who brought them to market and made millions.

  • Origins of Denim: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Origins of Denim

    S34 E1 - 54s

    Denim is the quintessential American fabric. Yet its possible origins are spread across the globe.

  • Chapter 1 | Riveted: The History of Jeans: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Chapter 1 | Riveted: The History of Jeans

    S34 E1 - 11m 41s

    Riveted: The History of Jeans reveals the fascinating and surprising story of the iconic American garment. They’re more than just a pair of pants — America’s tangled past is woven deeply into the indigo fabric. From its roots in slavery to the Wild West, youth culture, hippies, high fashion and hip-hop, jeans are the fabric on which the history of American ideology and politics are writ large.

  • Black Cowboys on the Silver Screen: asset-mezzanine-16x9

    Black Cowboys on the Silver Screen

    S34 E1 - 6m 39s

    Take a minute and picture the cowboy. He’s got on his hat and boots, maybe a gun on each hip, and, of course, his well-worn blue jeans.

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