DESCRIPTION
Daisy Dukes are extremely short and form fitting denim shorts usually worn by younger women, generally beginning at teenage years. These shorts were named after the character, Daisy Duke, in the 1980’s television show, “The Dukes of Hazzard”. Daisy Dukes can be described as very short and cheeky cut off shorts consisting of distressing as well as fraying around the edges. The original style of this item was simply portrayed with the use of blue denim, however today the shorts can also range in black denim and many other color ways. The Daisy Dukes used to provide a shock factor as they were a new and fresh item on the runway, however today they are a main contribution in nearly every girl’s wardrobe causing them to no longer be a fashion statement but rather a stable piece. The Daisy Dukes, or otherwise simply known as cutoff shorts, are a simple piece to style; they can be worn casually or even dressed up.
HISTORY
Imag(s) 1-4: Actress Catherine Bach as ‘Daisy Duke’ in The Dukes of Hazzard
The Daisy Dukes were the signature attire for the heartthrob of the same name on the 1980’s popular television show know as, “The Dukes of Hazzard”. These cut-off and frayed denim shorts made a wild statement when the southern temptress entered the scene in shorts with a hem line high enough to see her buttocks. Daisy used her southern charm, pretty face, and short shorts to con her way out of trouble and to turn almost any ‘no’ into a ‘yes’.
Image(s) 5-7 Clockwise from the top left: Image 1 -Singer Debbie Harry at the beach in Daisy Dukes, Image 2 -Supermodel Cindy Crawford in cutoff shorts modeling for Pepsi, Image 3 -Metal legend, Lemmy Kilmister in his extreme denim cutoffs
The Daisy Dukes retained their appeal (and their name) as they shifted into the rock and roll scene. Rockers like Patti Smith and Debbie Harry of “Blondie” were frequently seen in their cut-off denim shorts and were known to mix them with pieces such sport coats and leather jackets. Even metal legend Lemmy Kilmister, bassist for Motörhead, was know to wear his denim shorts peculiarly small. In 1992, Daisy Dukes made the cover of Vogue with Cindy Crawford looking svelte in a pair of fringed cutoffs. The trend has maintained over the last several decades, even gracing the runway by designers like Stella McCartney, Alexander Wang, and the House of St. Laurent.
Image 8: Rocker Patti Smi
Image(s) 9-11 clockwise from top left: Image 1 – Actress Jessica Simpson, as Daisy Duke, in the Dukes of Hazzard Movie, Image 2 – Jessica Simpson in different scene in the movie Image 3 – Singer Beyonce Knowles in Daisy Dukes
It seems despite the effort put forth by Strauss himself to create the most durable wearable fabric for laborers to wear, even it was no match for the ever-constant human desire to rebel against their establishment; the systematic tearing and distressing of the jeans into a pair of Daisy Dukes (or other cutoffs) is a physical challenge paired with a bold statement against dress conformity and human sexuality packaged as a shockingly short pair of pants.
CULTURAL SIGNIFICANCE
The rise of the Daisy Dukes began when it was worn in the 1980’s where the shorts got their first recognition through media. While some may see the Daisy Dukes to represent a “southern peach” culture in which they sexualize women (particularly stereotyped with the South) with it’s short cutoff that exposes a decent amount of skin, the Daisy Dukes can also be traced back to the rise of punk era. While the trend may have faded, it has resurfaced in the past few years and today can be seen being worn by teenage girls and young adults as a staple for one’s summer wardrobe.
CONTEMPORARY USAGE
Image(s) 12-13: Denim cut-offs like these are frequently found on retail sites
It seems as though denim has been conquering fashion since the 1970s. From jeans, to jackets, to shorts, denim is a key must-have to any wardrobe. Amidst the rise of summer clothing that comprises an array of flowing cotton shorts, dresses, skirts, and rompers, denim short shorts, or previously known and loved as “Daisy Dukes,” have remained popular among young girls and women. Each season these shorts are still sold at various clothing stores such as Aeropostale. On the website the hem lengths are called “Midi” length and are less revealing than Daisy Dukes, however there is still a common trend and demand for denim short shorts. Levi’s also offers denim short shorts that look like could fit right in with the old Daisy Dukes with the styles that they sell for women on their website. Some have frayed hems and rips in the pockets to add style to them. GRLFRND high rise denim Daisy Dukes are a favorite among celebrities and models such as Chanel Iman and Hailey Baldwin, so the style of short shorts is still popular among women and girls today.
Image(s) 14-15: Denim cut-offs like these are frequently found on retail sites
TMD 224 Group 2 