Writers often deploy denim as a distinctive color to evoke a sense of everyday ruggedness and authenticity. In many literary passages, “blue denim” appears to capture both the worn, faded charm of working‐class attire and a broader mood of casual resilience—as seen in descriptions of faded blue denim trousers ([1]), blue denim overalls ([2], [3], [4]), and even the striking visual of a denim‐clad cottage ([5]). Variations abound as well: bright green denim ([6]) and sky blue denim ([7]) lend unexpected hues to mundane objects, while “gray denim” emerges in titles and character portraits, suggesting an austere or reflective quality ([8], [9], [10], [11]). Through these color-specific references, denim becomes more than a fabric—it stands as a vivid marker of character, atmosphere, and the texture of daily life in literature.
- He was wearing faded blue denim trousers, ragged at the knees, and a shirt that matched it in color and tattered sleeves.
— from Brazilian Gold Mine Mystery: A Biff Brewster Mystery Adventure by Andy Adams
- Now, in that big box from Sears, Roebuck there would be blue denim for homemade overalls.
— from The Life of Me: An Autobiography by Clarence Edgar Johnson
- As had the Army, the Marine Corps had used a loose-fitting blue denim fatigue uniform for work details and some field exercises since the 1920s.
— from First Offensive: The Marine Campaign for Guadalcanal by Henry I. Shaw
- Behind them came the dead man’s son, apparelled in a pair of blue denim trousers.
— from A Woman's Impression of the Philippines by Mary H. (Mary Helen) Fee
- All draped with blue denim—the seaside cottage of my friend, Sara Pyne.
— from Twenty-Five Ghost Stories
- The tablecloth was of bright green denim and the decorations were all of green leaves.
— from Bright Ideas for Entertaining by Linscott, Herbert B., Mrs.
- I had a very stout piece of sky blue denim, and his first trousers were made of 359 that, and with a blue and white shirt he is quite startling.
— from A Woman Rice Planter by Elizabeth W. Allston (Elizabeth Waties Allston) Pringle
- Other stories of merit are "Gray Denim," by Harl Vincent and "Slaves of the Dust," by S. W. Ellis.
— from Astounding Stories, March, 1931 by Various
- 354 Gray Denim By Harl Vincent There came a stabbing pencil of light from over Karl’s shoulder.
— from Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930 by Various
- A suit of gray denim awaited him there and he’d never discard it.
— from Astounding Stories of Super-Science, December 1930 by Various
- In the current edition I think "The Pirate Planet" is going strong; and "Gray Denim" is a peach of a story, as is also "The Ape-Men of Xloti."
— from Astounding Stories, March, 1931 by Various