Ripped jeans and rock and roll go hand in hand. — Steven Tyler

The main reason that this classic Weblog is offered to you again five years after it was published the first time is because of the new ripped jeans photos I've collected, including one to go with the beloved surprise photo at the end.

So even if you don't read the whole thing again, I encourage you to look at the photos.

For several years, as many readers know, I have been fascinated by ripped jeans, and they have potentially inspired me to start my own non-traditional clothing business. I re-share my concept at the end of this updated Weblog, for those unfamiliar with my idea.

Each year, due to the high volume or country music events I attend, I get to see more of the ripped jeans generation than most. This year will be no exception.

On trips to Nashville, and trips to the Xfinity Center in Mansfield, and on trips to Loretta's Last Call in Boston, Off the Rails in Worcester, Kowloon's Country Fest, and assorted other venues, I am duly impressed with the increased range of ripped clothing I observe each year.

I personally do not own a pair of torn, distressed, or ripped jeans or whatever your personal preference is for naming them.

Recently, I saw an ad for 'Destructed Jeans,' kind of a cool name.

What prompted my original research was the fact that I had seen so many ripped jeans, with so many different sized holes, locations and tears, and I wanted to research the style and share that knowledge. Why wouldn’t everyone in the world want to be an expert on this social and fashion phenomena?

And of course, when it comes to fashion, who wouldn’t like to know my thoughts? Right?

If you currently wear ripped jeans or, like me, have always wondered why people do, then read on, because in a few short paragraphs, I will share my extensive research on ripped jeans and some of my observations about the style.

Ancient History

In case you didn’t know, a couple of guys named Levi and Strauss were early American fashion magnates and created what we refer to today as blue jeans. Raise your hand if you knew that? Very good class.

Historically, dating from the Levi and Strauss era, jeans were for workingmen and were actually dyed blue so everyone would know that the wearers were workingmen. Kind of a class distinction not unlike today’s hard hat?

Torn jeans happened in those days because of repeated use or an accident and remain torn or ripped because the primarily poor folks wearing them couldn’t afford to replace them. But It wasn’t cool then to wear ripped jeans, it was embarrassing.

Recent History

The whole modern ripped or torn jeans look started as part of the Punk Rock movement, (see my brother’s Wikipedia page here. Chris Doherty and his band Gang Green were early pioneers of the genre).

The style was borrowed by the Grunge movement a decade or two later and surfaces every now and then, seemingly more ‘now’ than ‘then.’

Originally, the 20^th century incarnation was one of those signs of defiance and rebellion that young people engage in. (Just repeating what I’ve read). Like Rock ‘n Roll and Butterfly tattoos. For more information check out this site pagalparrot.com

That’s all you need to know about the history.

Ripping for Style

Our next lesson is on ripping jeans. Some sources indicate there are established ways to reach ripped jean fashion heights.

• You can rip at home on your own. Clever concept.
• They can be ripped by things that rip things. Knives, ex-girlfriends, hand saws.
• You can obviously buy them ripped.
• And in answer to your question, sometimes they are pre-ripped by hand (very expensive because ripping jeans is obviously a talent). 
• Or they can be, are you sitting down? Lasers. That’s right, you can wear laser ripped jeans. Who knew?

Why did my mother get mad when I was a kid and ripped my jeans?

Ok, so she had limited fashion sense. Why couldn’t I wear torn anything to school? This was the first known suppression of my fashion sense by a parent. If I ripped something, she sewed it, or it didn’t go to school.

How many cuts or rips are cool? 

The more cuts the better? Is there a level of tearing of the jeans that makes them ‘mesh jeans’ like mesh stockings? Can you wear mesh stockings under mesh jeans? Asking for a friend.

Are ripped Jeans like snowflakes? 

Absolutely. No two are the same. If I had a pair of ripped jeans and I saw someone else with the tears in the same place, I’d rip another hole on the spot.

Do you wear ripped jeans in the winter? 

If so, you’re going to have to explain that one. Isn’t that like turning the air conditioning on in the winter? Wouldn’t you call ripped winter jeans, ‘air-conditioned jeans?’

Are ripped shirts and tops next? 

They exist? What will they think of next?

How about ripped dresses? 

Maybe too hard to see the tears among the folds?

Ok, torn hats, shoes, or underwear? 

Maybe not, but after thinking about it, why not?

They put holes in jackets, too? 

A complete line of air-conditioned winter wear. Something is wrong here.

Are shorts as cool?

Well, they are cooler than full length jeans, because they are shorts, unless those jeans are ripped extensively making them air-conditioned pants. Where do you think the best place to rip shorts might be?

Why are all the cuts in the front? 

I don’t even see much action on the back or the side. I guess no one wants a butt cut. Forget the question.

Are there age restrictions for ripped jeans?

I’m not sure that an 8-year-old or an 80-year-old could look as cool in them as an 18-, 28-, or 38-year-old.

My number one question: are vertical rips or horizontal rips cooler?

I stared at a lot of legs for this project and horizontal rips way outnumber verticals. I wonder why?

New Fashion Statement?

As a result of the extensive research I've conducted, I am still planning to launch my own line of clothing that follows in the tradition of ripped jeans: stained shirts.

That's right, I am planning to launch a line of dress shirts and tops that have been pre-stained with soup, coffee and salad dressing.

What was formerly a garment taken out of circulation with a stain, will soon be considered cool, just like ripped jeans. And, like ripped jeans, my clothing line will have both horizontal and vertical stains, in a variety of hues.

My wife says I've already acquired quite a collection.

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