Once a sign of poverty, then a symbol of rebelliousness, but now just ordinary

There’s a lot to learn about ripped jeans by glancing at the Google News archives. Although relatively few physical newspapers have been scanned, plenty of information on fashion and style is available from the past couple of decades. Generally speaking, ripped jeans were fashionable in the music crowd from the 1970’s onward, but the masses did not see the style until 1984 or so. Ripped jeans were explosively popular until the very early 90’s where they were put on the back burner for a couple of years until the grunge movement took off.

A detailed timeline:

• 1950-1970: 99% of mentions are associated with murder or sexual assault.
• Aug 30, 1955: Ripped jeans signify poverty: “As Genial Gene Biscailuz walked out of the Coliseum resplendent in his posse regalia with the red jacket, happy at the success of his annual rodeo, a ragged little urchin in ripped blue jeans ran up to him.” (CITYSIDE with GENE SHERMAN)
• Jul 12, 1971: Patching is becoming popular: “Hollywood boasts a shop, the Liquid Butterfly, that specializes in the custom patching of jeans. Owner Charlotte Stewart says she is ‘trying to get people to recycle their clothes. Instead of throwing out a ripped pair of jeans, we think it’s nicer to put a pretty patch on them.’” (Patchwork Fashions)
• 1974: The Ramones wear ripped jeans.
• Oct 22, 1977: At an Iggy Pop concert: “Safety pins adorned the deliberately ripped jeans of others.” (Music - Milwaukee Sentinel)
• Nov 16, 1980: The college generation sees a return to conservatism: “Images of the long hair and ripped jeans of their older brothers and sis- ters have faded, replaced by design- er clothes. If allied to anything, the college student of today is linked to the campus of the 1950s.” (‘TV Generation’ Hits College Like a Rerun of Pragmatic 1950s )
• Sept 7, 1984: Pre-ripped jeans appear on the market: “The jeans are fashionably pre-ripped above the right knee and at what would be the panty-line if Calvin still believed in women’s underwear. They also are worn with a denim shirt unbuttoned to the waist and pre-ripped above the left breast pocket.” (Terrorist chic invades fashion field)
• May 15, 1986: Ripped jeans are fashionable in Europe: “Some predict the newest trend will be stone-washed jeans with holes worn into pockets, derriere and knees. Dick Gilbert, president of Zena jeans, said he was surprised and more than a little skeptical when his design team told him the ripped jeans were the hottest look in Europe.” (Hottest new jeans now include holes)
• Jun 11, 1986: The first in-depth newspaper article on ripped jeans: “” (Fashion trend full of holes Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)
• Dec 13, 1987: Casual jeans are now ripped: “Yet another twinge, she allowed, was when she dressed casually in jeans only to discover that casual to the crowd around her meant ”people dressed like Halloween in ripped jeans with holes.” (NEW YORKERS, ETC)
• Apr 7, 1988: “Ripped jeans are not my kind of fashion statement, but they are indeed seen as fashionable in circles of the young and hip.” (OFF THE RACK Dad finds out that holey jeans are sacred)
• Mar 20, 1989: “Parents (usually say) they can’t believe they are paying that much for ripped, slashed jeans,” said Stein.” (Out At The Knees)
• 1989: Ripped jeans are all over the fashion news. They go well with friendship bracelets and untied shoes. High schoolers, especially those in California seem to enjoy the fashion, although some disagree. Most school dress codes allow for ripped jeans.
• June 1990: Madonna wears ripped jeans.
• Jul 14, 1991: “This is not to say one should buy pre-ripped jeans — tears must be custom-made for the body.” (DENIM AIN’T SINGIN’ THE BLUES)
• Oct 2, 1991: “But you should throw away ripped jeans from last season. They’re definitely out. Ripped and torn jeans are over, finished.” (Campus Gainsville Sun)
• Jan 28, 1992: “Actresses like Julia Roberts, Michelle Pfeiffer, Winona Ryder, Daryl Hannah and Meg Ryan often parade in front of paparazzi at premieres and events wearing ripped jeans and T-shirts, oversize baby-doll dresses, combat boots, uncombed hair and not a spot of makeup.” (Recession Chic: If You’ve Got It, You Don’t Flaunt It)
• Jun 22, 1992: “There were 10 men-all large-wearing black boots, frayed and ripped jeans and belts with large silver buckles.” (Have Bris Bag, Will Travel-Even to Bikers’ Desert Outpost Series)
• Jan 24, 1993: “Grunge means ripped jeans and flannel shirts. Of course, here in New York, its stripes and plaids.” (MASS-PRODUCER HIPNESS)
• Sept 3, 1993: “Do they draw the line when it comes to ripped jeans or a nose ring? Suzy Gershman, parent and author of the “Born to Shop” book series, believes in flexibility. “It is one of the few areas of control where little damage can be done,” she says.” (The Fashion Fight How much control should youngsters have over their)
• May 24, 1994: “Grunge or grungie: Jeans, flannel shirts, ripped jeans, dyed hair, dark makeup (for girls), Doc Martens shoes. Metal heads: Long hair, jean jackets, ripped jeans.” (AN INFORMAL GUIDE TO TEENAGE CLOTHING AND MUSIC STYLES)
• Nov 7, 1996: “‘So many kids all dress the same – usually in trashy jeans that are ripped on the bottom, flannels and baby T’s,’ says Molly. ‘They’re pretty much like clones.’” (Ripped Jeans Don’t Cut It)
• May 19, 1997: “Most fast-growing software companies are a bit disheveled: empty computer boxes piled in hallways, offices littered with soda cans and pizza crusts, college-age programmers in T shirts and ripped jeans.” (The hardwiring of a salesman – Forbes.com)
• Late 90’s-Present: Ripped jeans are mostly seen on celebrities or are reserved for designer brands. Ordinary wearers are no longer seen as rebellious.