Lee vs A BATHING APE: similarities and differences

Compare brand traits, similarities and differences.

Reference brand: Lee Swap brands

Lee

United States Founded 1889

Streetwear · Outdoor & functional · Trends & youth culture

A BATHING APE

Japan Founded 1993

Streetwear · Decoration & playfulness · Trends & youth culture

Similarities and differences

Shared traits

No shared traits are available.

Different traits

Decoration & playfulness
A BATHING APE shows a stronger emphasis
Streetwear
A BATHING APE shows a stronger emphasis

This pair is not included in the similar brands recommendations.

Trait comparison

Lee (solid line, circles)
A BATHING APE (dashed line, squares)

How to read the chart

Traits farther from the centre are more prominent within each brand. The chart uses the same relative display as the brand profile. Area does not indicate brand quality or absolute differences between brands.

Traits by category

Bar lengths show how prominent each trait is within each brand.

Lee
A BATHING APE

Minimal & basics: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Polished & dressy: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Luxury & heritage: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Avant-garde & designer: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Decoration & playfulness: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Streetwear: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Trends & youth culture: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Sporty & sportswear: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand
Outdoor & functional: Lee：Relative prominence within the brand

A BATHING APE：Relative prominence within the brand

Basic information

Field	Lee	A BATHING APE
Country	United States	Japan
Founded	1889	1993
Category	Clothing	Clothing
Other categories	Bags Accessories Footwear	Bags Accessories Footwear Eyewear Watches Fragrance Beauty and cosmetics Lifestyle products

— indicates information that is not available.

Brand profiles

Lee

United States Founded 1889

Lee is a denim and workwear brand that traces its origins to H.D. Lee Mercantile Company, founded by Henry David Lee in Kansas, USA, in 1889. In 1912, the company opened a sewing factory in Salina and grew from manufacturing overalls, work...

Compare Lee with other brands View brand profile View similar brands

A BATHING APE

Japan Founded 1993

A BATHING APE (BAPE) is a Japanese streetwear brand founded by NIGO (長尾智明) in Harajuku, Tokyo, in 1993. Guided by its founding motto, “NOWHERE, NOW HERE,” it offers a wide range of apparel for men, women, and children, as well as shoes...

Compare A BATHING APE with other brands View brand profile View similar brands

Brand lines

Collaborations

Lee

2026-01-29
FREAK'S STORE
A special-order project featured in an official feature as “Lee for FREAK’S STORE.” Lee is an apparel brand focused on denim, but the available feature listings do not disclose details about individual products or their release dates.
2025-10-10
BEAMS
A lamb leather jacket in the “DUNGAREES” style, which originated in the 1950s, was released as a Lee × BEAMS exclusive. It launched in October 2025.
2024-11-14
Alpha Industries
A 2024 global collaboration with Lee, centered on the heritage of American workwear and durable everyday clothing shared by both brands. The collection features outerwear and pants combining denim, Alpha ripstop, and military specifications.
2023-12-15
DIESEL
Following a December 2023 preview for Europe and Japan, Lee released hybrid jeans made from upcycled and deadstock materials as the first installment of DIESEL❤VES.
2019-09-20
TOGA
A collaboration between TOGA and Lee. Based on the style of 1950s Lee shirts, it incorporates TOGA’s Western elements and includes Western shirts, docking jackets, and pants.
2010-01-01
Vivienne Westwood
A collaboration with Lee under the name Vivienne Westwood Anglomania. The collection focuses on denim and jeans, and also includes T-shirts and jackets.

Lee collaborations

A BATHING APE

2025-04-22
PORTER
A new A BATHING APE® × PORTER collection announced on April 22, 2025. Presented in the context of a trunk show commemorating the opening of a new PORTER STAND store, it features four bag styles with travel-themed souvenir bags.
2025-04-01
COMME des GARÇONS
In 2025, a commemorative capsule collection with CDG was released in two installments to mark BAPE OSAKA’s fifth anniversary. It featured a wide range of items, including T-shirts, check shirts, and bags.
2024-07-26
VANS
A 2024 collaboration between A BATHING APE® and Vans. Announced on 7/25, it was released through Vans Family on 7/26 and at BAPE stores on 7/27. Old Skool and Sk8-Mid were reinterpreted with camouflage patterns.
2023-12
Alpha Industries
The second collaboration with A BATHING APE features MA-1 jackets, reversible kimono jackets, and N-3B-related items decorated with ukiyo-e and sashiko-style motifs, along with shark hoodies, pants, T-shirts, hats, and more.
2022-09-03
A.P.C.
A.P.C. and BAPE’s first collaboration in 2022 (INTERACTION #15). A diverse range, including denim, workwear styles, and BAPE camo patterns, with items for kids.
2021-10-16
Barbour
In 2021, a capsule collection was offered for AW21, featuring a Bedale in BAPE camouflage, as well as T-shirts, sweatshirts, and caps.

A BATHING APE collaborations

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