Fashion trends are ever changing, but acid wash jeans have been making a return since the 1980s.

History behind acid wash denim/jeans

Acid wash jeans go back to the 1960s when they emerged from Californian culture. 

The style came from surfers who grew tired of fading their jeans in the sun and turned to chlorine bleach instead, according to CR Fashion Book. 

Claude Blankiet is also said to be an inventor of acid wash jeans in the 1970s.

But acid washing comes from stone washing, which was used to produce a fade in clothing. It was invented by Donald Freeland in the 1950s, who worked for the Great Western Garment Company, according to Medium. 

The Great Western Garment Company was eventually taken over by Levi’s (Levi Strauss & Company). 

Popular in the '80s

Acid wash jeans were first used by the Italian company Rifle Jeans and became very popular in the '80s. 

Soon after, Z Cavaricci was the largest distributor of acid wash jeans in the U.S., according to The Jean Site. 

“Once they were introduced, all types of fashion variations were available from stone wash denim jackets to skirts and shorts. You could even find acid wash socks, canvas sneakers and hair scrunchies with the signature look,” according to The Jean Site. 

Denim began to gain popularity for women in the '80s as well, especially denim jackets worn with tight jeans and a T-shirt or ruffled shirt. High-waisted acid wash jeans were also one of the most iconic styles.

Since taking off in the '80s, acid washed jackets have become unbeatable as part of a classic American look, according to The Pearl Source. 

Who in the '80s were wearing acid wash jeans

Hip hop innovators Eric B. and Rakim were some of the decade's best trendsetters of acid wash jeans. 

American tennis star Andre Agassi wore acid wash jean shorts to compete at the ATP Lipton Tennis Championship in 1988.

Sonny and Cher’s All I Ever Need is You album art featured embellished acid wash denim.

Singer Janet Jackson wore acid wash jeans in the '80s with a collared shirt over a colorblock sweater.

How celebrities are styling acid wash denim today

Other celebrities such as Deepika Padukone, Ananya Panday, Katy Perry and Bella Hadid are wearing acid wash denim.

Deepika Padukone and Ananya Panday were spotted wearing acid wash denim in the airport, with Deepika wearing an acid wash denim trench coat by Alexander Wang, according to Vogue. 

Katy Perry styled her acid wash outfit by wearing acid wash jeans from Juicy Couture with a white crop top and pink jacket. 

Bella Hadid had a similar outfit to Katy Perry - a cropped pair of jeans and white tank top.

Style tips for acid wash according to Who What Wear

1. Acid wash naturally evokes a rebellious, punk vibe, so choose more structured pieces like a blazer

2. An acid wash jumpsuit to pull off the trend 

3. If you wear all black, try darker acid washes

4. Wardrobe basics are the perfect way to anchor an acid-wash piece

5. Pretty accessories downplay the denim's punk feel

6. Tie-dye and acid wash

Create acid wash denim

What you’ll need:

Pumice stone 

Chlorine 

Bleach 

Antichlor 

Washer

Dryer

First things first:

1. Soak pumice stone in the chlorine along with the jeans in the washer

2. Check in 15 minutes to see if desired look, according to the Jean Site

3. Wash jeans with antichlor to get excess chlorine and bleach out

 4. Lastly, dry jeans