Daisy Dukes’ eponymous denim shorts from “The Dukes of Hazzard” have been named the most iconic moment in denim history.
A survey of 2,000 Americans has revealed some of the key moments in pop culture when denim played a major role.
“The Dukes of Hazzard” TV show celebrates its 40th anniversary in 2019, and its legacy continues thanks to the iconic denim shorts of Daisy Duke, played by Catherine Bach.
James Dean’s effortless blue Levis look, which helped to cement jeans as a signifier of “cool” — also appeared in a high position.
The “Rebel Without A Cause” star, who popularized the now quintessential “white T and jeans” look, took the second spot in the national poll.
Jennifer Lopez’s attention-grabbing denim boots were also held in high regard, along with Bruce Springsteen’s form-fitting jeans which graced the artwork for 1984 hit album “Born in the U.S.A.”
The findings were uncovered as part of a larger study into the prominence of denim across the globe, both at home and in the workplace, conducted by global fashion search platform Lyst.
Eighty-four percent of the 2,000 adults surveyed believe their jeans are a key component of their style, owning nine pairs on average — four of which they regularly wear.
And one in 12 live in their denim every day.
Such a popular item of clothing requires regular washing, with the average “favorite” pair of jeans seeing the wash 20 times a year, or once every 18 days.
But one in nine adults admit their go-to jeans will only see the wash once a year.
Despite their position as an indispensable item of clothing, only seven in 10 of those surveyed believe they have ever owned a pair of jeans which was “perfect” for them with regards to fit, style and wash.
The “perfect” jeans have a straight leg, a light wash finish, and cost $79, according to denim-clad Americans.
The most popular fit for jeans is the straight-leg look, with over a third opting for the classic style.
Over a third prefer a slim leg profile in their jeans, and one in four take the silhouette even closer with skinny-fit jeans.
Other popular fits include the bootcut look, which resonated with 27% of Americans, and high-rise jeans, which were the preferred style for one in seven shoppers.
The research, conducted by OnePoll.com, also explored the extent to which denim has infiltrated our wardrobes beyond jeans ownership.
The most popular denim product after jeans is the denim jacket, which hangs in half of all wardrobes across the country.
Two in five Americans own a denim shirt, and one in four have a denim skirt in their clothes drawer.
A spokesperson for global fashion search platform Lyst, which commissioned the study to support its comprehensive assessment of denim in 2019 — “The Denim Report” — added: “Jeans have become so indispensable an item that millions of Americans are wearing a pair every day of the week, at work and at home.
“That’s why we thought it would be fascinating to take a deep look into denim trends, culture and significance in 2019, using global fashion search data and consumer opinion to build a comprehensive assessment of denim today.”
Top 10 most iconic denim moments
- Daisy Duke in her ‘Daisy Dukes’ — “The Dukes of Hazard”
- James Dean — Levi blue jeans
- Jennifer Lopez — Denim boots
- Elvis — Denim style
- Brooke Shields — Calvin Klein ad
- Princess Diana — Denim overalls
- Britney & Justin — Denim Date at 2001 American Music Awards
- Bruce Springsteen — “Born in the U.S.A.” album cover
- Cindy Crawford — Denim shorts
- Pamela Anderson — Double denim