Few garments can boast a journey as long as jeans. They were born to withstand the harsh days of workers in the American West, later became a symbol of youth rebellion, and ended up conquering runways, offices, and even the wardrobes of royal families. The latest proof came this Tuesday from King Felipe VI, choosing a pair of jeans to accompany Queen Letizia, Princess Leonor, and Infanta Sofia the FIFA World Cup semifinal between Spain and France.
The Royal Family watched the match from Barcelona, the city where they stayed after attending the Princess of Girona Awards. The Royal Household later shared a video in which the four appear following the match, celebrating the goals and embracing after Spain won 2-0 and qualified for the World Cup final.
King Felipe VI wore the white shirt of the Spanish national team, personalized with his name and the number 26, and paired it with classic-cut blue jeans. There was no blazer, nor any of the codes that usually accompany the monarch’s official wardrobe.
King Felipe VI celebrates one of Spain’s goals with his daughters and Queen Letizia.
The choice may seem insignificant. However, that a king uses the same pair of jeans, which is part of the daily uniform of millions of people, demonstrates to what extent jeans have managed to erase the barriers of age, class, and protocol.
The History of Jeans: A Pair of Pants Created in Their Origins for Work
Jeans emerged around 1873. On that day, Levi Strauss and the tailor Jacob Davis obtained in the United States a patent to improve the durability of work pants by placing metal rivets at their most vulnerable points, especially around the pockets and the fly.
Davis had found that the seams of the pants used by workers, miners and railroad workers broke easily. His solution was to reinforce them with small copper rivets. Since he needed financial support to patent and produce the idea, he turned to Levi Strauss, the supplier of the fabrics he used in his workshop.
Those first pants were not designed to be elegant or flattering. Their main quality was durability. They had to withstand physical work, dust, and prolonged use. The very image of two horses trying to tear a pair of pants, incorporated by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1886, was meant precisely to communicate the garment’s strength.
The model that would eventually become the famous Levi’s 501 received that numbering in the late 19th century. Its basic structure — five pockets, denim fabric, rivets, and a straight cut — has remained recognizable for generations, although its proportions have adapted to trends.
Why Felipe VI’s jeans are a timeless classic
The jeans chosen by Felipe VI to watch the match are a Levi’s basic. A pair of jeans washed in classic blue, with no ripped details, no heavy wear or visible embellishments, and a straight silhouette. It is a type of jeans that is incredibly comfortable and perfect even for summer.
Although the brand of the jeans Felipe VI wore has not been confirmed, in one of the images broadcast by the Royal Household the iconic red Levi’s tag is clearly visible. As for the model, they appear to be the iconic Levi’s 501 Original. Considered the archetype of modern jeans that retain the straight silhouette that has defined jeans since Levi Strauss and Jacob Davis patented the first riveted pants in 1873.
This iconic pair is made of denim and maintains the brand’s characteristic straight design. A simple construction that explains why, more than 150 years later, it continues to work, adapting to different generations.
It isn’t the first time Felipe VI has worn jeans at informal events
Felipe VI had previously turned to jeans, both before and after becoming king. He uses them mainly in informal appearances, sports activities, family vacations, or cultural events where protocol allows relaxing the dress code.
King Felipe VI and Queen Letizia with jeans in 2004.
His way of wearing them tends to follow a fairly stable formula: plain designs, traditional blue colors, a belt, and slightly more structured upper garments. He does not use denim as a fashion trend, but as a practical base that updates his image without moving away from the sobriety demanded by his position.
Prince William with jeans in 2010.
Nor is he the first member of a royal house to incorporate this garment into their wardrobe. Prince William and other members of the British royal family have been wearing denim since the mid-20th century. Over time, many royal women such as Diana, Princess of Wales, Kate Middleton, or even Queen Letizia have gradually normalized jeans at sporting events or less formal engagements.
Kate Middleton with light blue jeans in 2021.
The garment that finally beat the protocol
The arrival of jeans into royal wardrobes does not mean that dress codes have disappeared. Jeans still have no place in solemn ceremonies, official receptions, or gala dinners. Their use depends on the context and the image the institution wishes to project.
