Denim has been at the center of several disputes in America for decades. The controversy surrounding American Eagle Outfitters’ “Good Jeans” ad sparked outrage from Dr. Phil, who plans to buy blue jeans for his family after learning they were criticized by liberals. While some see this as a sign of degraded civic discourse, others view it as part of a long-standing battle over the meaning and cultural significance of blue jeans. The origins of these jeans date back to 1873, when Levi Strauss partnered with tailor Jacob Davis to create the first blue denim pants. This partnership ignited a debate that continues to this day, as various groups vie for ownership and control of the clothing’s cultural identity.
Source: https://www.bloomberg.com/opinion/articles/2025-08-16/sydney-sweeney-american-eagle-controversy-isn-t-the-first-about-jeans