The Evolution of Acid Washed Denim

It’s no secret that a denim jacket is a staple in most people's wardrobe. Honestly, who can blame them? Comfortable, easy, and literally goes with everything. Not to mention that there are a million different shades and variations of denim to choose from. Today in honor of one of our favorite decades, the 80’s (duh), and we are diving into the history of acid wash and seeing how it became a classic. 

Inspiration for this worn-in approach to denim came from California surf culture starting in the 1960’s. Think old Levis naturally bleached and softened by hours spent by the surf and on the sand. Though this process happened naturally over time, techniques were eventually used to get the desired effect quickly. They would take diluted bleach and some sand to fade out the denim and create a slight texture on the material. 

Flash forward to the 80’s when this wash really took on a life of its own. It was first popularized by punks and then adopted into mainstream culture throughout the next decade. Worn by icons like The Ramones, Blondie, and countless others. Part of the reason why this became so popular worldwide was because it was so easy to DIY. People would often dip or spray their denim with a diluted blech solution to get the look. Soon companies started selling this style as “pre-washed” and in 1986 the process was industrialized and truly cemented into fashion history.  

Back in the present day, acid wash denim kind of feels like it’s always been there. An alternative, more relaxed wash when you’re throwing together your look for that day. It's insane to think that it was only about 35ish years ago that it came onto the scene and was something revolutionary. It’s a total classic now and something everyone needs in their closet.  

Shop the Acid Wash Denim jacket from Members Only here.