James Dean first wore the look in Rebel Without a Cause

James Dean first wore the look in Rebel Without a Cause

The classic blue jeans and plain white t-shirt has been voted the must-own outfit gor every amn's wardrobe. 

Research has revealed that six decades after it was first pioneered on the silver screen and adopted the as definitive outfit for teenage boys across the globe, this look has been noted as men's most stylish outfit... Ever. 

56% of Brits, who were questioned on iconic fashion trends, voted a plain white T-shirt and jeans the ultimate classic yet current look for guys today and over half named 1950’s heartthrob James Dean as the trendsetter for the iconic style.

David Beckham has worn the look plenty of times

Despite being staple wardrobe essentials since the 1950s, British women are still crazy about guys who dress in timeless jeans and tees. 43% of the women questioned admitted to thinking that men look their hottest when wearing the simple outfit, with half describing the clothes as sexy or classic and 39% of women revealing that wearing a plain white T-shirt is the perfect way to melt a girl’s heart on a first date. 

When it comes to men, 38% picked a simple white T-shirt and a pair of jeans as the one outfit they’d chose to wear for the rest of their life, with over a third of men opting for the chilled out look over the comfort of a onesie, or the superstar quality of a dapper suit. 

Of the 1000 Brits that were asked who originally inspired the plain

Ryan Gosling keeps his style simple too

white T-shirt and blue jeans outfit, 55% voted 1950’s Hollywood star James Dean, as the true pioneer and classic inspiration for a style that’s stood the test of time. However, as the style is still sported by so many popular and lusted after celebrities today, including Ryan Gosling, Harry Styles and Jay-Z, 6% of Brits admitted to thinking that it was actually David Beckham who created the casual but cool look.

The research shows that the endless appeal and remaining popularity of the look is all down to ease, with two thirds of men agreeing that they always keep plain t-shirts in their wardrobe because they’re so versatile. 

JEANS THROUGH THE AGES

Ever since James Dean rocked the classic style whilst playing his iconic role in 1955’s Rebel Without a Cause, the look has changed effortlessly decade by decade, with jeans in particular constantly adapting to current trends, meaning the outfit may never go out of fashion.

  • In the 1950’s, light washes or dark denim and cuffed jeans were all the rage with James Dean and his generation of teen fans
  • The sixties whirled into a decade of flares and bell bottoms, keeping in theme with the relaxed hippie period
  • The seventies saw the flared style replaced by a tighter leg, owing to the edgy punk era
  • The 1980s saw stonewash and acid wash jeans hit the high streets and nightclubs across the UK
  • Baggy jeans from hiphop influencers hit the scene in the nineties
  • The noughties were all about the low rise and re-introduction of the skinny jeans, favoured fashion-conscious women and indie teen boys across the UK

The research was commissioned to mark the Blu-ray release of James Dean Ultimate Collector’s Edition on 28th October, 2013. The limited edition set includes all three of James Dean’s iconic movies: East of Eden, Rebel Without a Cause and Giant (a George Stevens production), on remastered Blu-ray with UV copy. 

by for www.femalefirst.co.uk
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