An Illustrated History Of Skinny Jeans

It’s hard to remember a time when skinny jeans weren't the standard pants. But, the skin-tight, denim skinnies we know today haven't always been a wardrobe staple in ladies' closets. In fact, their evolution has been a long road — one that includes gender bending, political protests, and textile innovation (because denim itself is a relatively new material). From the clingy, white trousers worn by French noblemen, to the spandex leggings of the '80s, skinny pants have been around for a long time. We took it upon ourselves to investigate just how body-hugging pants became the ubiquitous skinny jeans we know today. Trace their assorted history, ahead.