If you are looking for an actual history of blue jeans, don't bother with this "documentary". Instead of a history covering all aspects of the topic, this show spends more time discussing a one-sided social and political aspect of jeans. Instead of discussing how they have been manufactured through the years, we are told about slavery relating to Indigo dye. Instead of discussing the history of the major manufacturers, we are told they either were or were not made by black labor. One moment they say jeans were almost exclusively worn by black slaves in America, then we are told EVERYONE did, even the Chinese railroad workers. Wearing jeans were a symbol of rebellion for civil rights fighters in the 1960s, were a slap in the face to rich whites when worn by rappers, etc. What about jean culture in other countries? Not covered. While it is good to learn different things about a topic, it is very obvious that in this case PBS cared more about race than the overall history of blue jeans.

The title is very attractive, but regrettably the substance is framed within a racial lens. It's disturbing that this was funded with taxpayer dollars and disappointing that the actual history of jeans and denim took up about 10 cumulative minutes-the rest was dedicated to differences in race and class. The brushed up against the tip of the iceberg of the 1960s, but shifted focus to the civil rights movement and landed on black rappers in the 90s. "People started actually verbalizing what everyone had known for a hundred years... that blue jeans are sexy" was one of the cringiest, most poorly timed and ridiculously canned moments in this disaster which I regrettably cannot recommend to anyone who's looking for a legitimate historical perspective on jeans or denim.

Once you get through the obligatory liberal white guilt and the use of ancient slavery history to bludgeon the audience there really isn't much there. 15 min in the real story begins to be told. So in.teresting facts about racism in the manufacturing process are explained then later on some interesting facts on diversity or the lack there of are explored. Oh yeah jeans, this is a story about jeans.... i think. Well jeans and misogyny that is. Women's rights through jeans.. apparently.