What Decade Did Acid Jeans Come Out?

Sometimes, buying jeans seems like it requires a field manual -- from color-blocking to vintage wash, the lingo really runs the gamut. If you remember the '80s, however, you probably remember the term acid wash. Also known as stone wash, the acid-wash technique uses bleach and pumice stones to give the jeans a splattered, irregular or distressed look. Surprisingly, acid-wash jeans were actually born well before the 1980s.

Creation

Reports vary as to the actual creation of acid-wash jeans. Levi Strauss & Co. claims that jeans-maker Donald Freeland invented the stonewashed look in the 1950s. However, an April 2011 interview in The Tasting Panel magazine claims that French textile designer turned vintner Claude Blankiet came up with the technique in the 1970s. Blankiet is also credited with other artificial distressing techniques, including hand-tooling and sandblasting.

Initial Popularity

Despite the somewhat foggy details surrounding the invention of acid-wash jeans, no one argues that they enjoyed most of their popularity in the 1980s -- in this decade of daring fashion, the acid-wash style really came out into the spotlight. The trend continued into the early 1990s, priming it for a comeback in the late aughts and early 2010s.

Comeback and Pairings

In 2013, Emily Winter of Primer magazine wrote that acid wash was enjoying a comeback among the fashion forward. Likewise, Deej Walit of AMI Clubwear's official magazine said that stonewashed jeans were definitely back in action in 2012, especially for women and especially in skinny and carefree boyfriend styles. Winter recommends pairing the bold, extreme look of acid-wash jeans with something simple, such as a solid tee in red or black. Walit has similar suggestions, but also encourages acid-wash pairings such as a collared blouse and camel coat or even acid-wash cutoffs with black stockings.

Acid Jeans Company

Not to be confused with acid-wash jeans, the Acid Jeans company is a boutique designer and retailer of urban-style jeans and couture, including hats and shirts. This small company opened its doors online in the spring of 2013. Acid Jeans also has a storefront in Chicago, Illinois.

---