Lee

Country

United States

Founded

1889

Category

Clothing / Bags / Accessories / Footwear

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 jackets, and other items. Today, the brand offers casual and workwear globally, with a focus on jeans as well as jackets, tops, and other apparel. As a brand of Kontoor Brands, it also upholds the sustainability standard “For A World That Works™.”

We passionately challenge ourselves and bring people together to create a stronger, more sustainable future.

FOR A WORLD THAT WORKS™

• Lee 101 1925

  A premium line built around selvedge denim and workwear- and Western-inspired items, based on Lee’s archives. Officially positioned as “the pinnacle of craftsmanship,” it reworks Lee’s historic classics, such as the 101Z and 101 Rider Jacket, using contemporary materials and specifications. With an emphasis on detailed construction, including some items made in Japan, 101 presents Lee’s heritage at its fullest, in contrast to Vintage Modern / REISSUE, which focus on planned reissues and reinterpretations.

  Lee’s highest-tier heritage premium line

• LEE SPORT 1995

  A sports-casual offshoot line developed under the LEE name. Introduced in the 1990s, it combined the use of professional and college licensed logos with casual-dress offerings such as chinos and polos. It targeted uses and occasions different from those of the Lee core brand, which centered on denim. As an offshoot of Lee, it was positioned as a line that extended into sports and team-logo contexts.

  An offshoot line extending into sports contexts

• LEE PIPES 1997

  Introduced by Lee in 1997, the “LEE PIPES” line targeted boys aged 8–12. It specialized in denim fit and style recommendations for juniors and was developed as a product line against the backdrop of the extreme sports culture of the time. In contrast to the main line for adults, it provided a separate point of entry for junior customers and was positioned as a derivative line intended to expand the target market.

  A style proposal line for juniors

• Lee Extreme Motion 2016

  Lee’s “Extreme Motion” collection is developed around stretch and mobility. It applies the same concept not only to jeans but also to pants, shorts, shirts, and jackets, forming a line designed with an emphasis on comfort during everyday movement. While 101 / Vintage Modern / REISSUE are centered on archives and reissues, Extreme Motion is positioned to address current functional needs and expand the options in the basics category.

  A core stretch line focused on mobility

• Lee Vintage Modern 2017

  A specialty denim collection rooted in archives, launched by Lee in 2017. Its core design approach is to “re-edit” archival details such as stitching and hardware by combining them with contemporary fits, finishes, and trend elements. While 101 prioritizes materials and construction to distill the brand’s heritage, Vintage Modern translates archival elements into forms that are easier to incorporate into everyday wear, serving to broaden the brand’s entry point.

  A limited denim line centered on reworking archives

• Lee REISSUE 2019

  Announced by Lee in 2019, this limited reissue collection selects early women’s products (models first introduced in the 1940s–50s) from its global archive and “faithfully reproduces” them. Whereas Vintage Modern reinterprets the past in a contemporary way, REISSUE is characterized by reproducing products based on the details and construction of the period, serving to provide a direct experience of Lee’s women’s heritage. Alongside 101, it is a derivative line that presents the brand’s historical assets in concentrated form.

  A limited reissue capsule drawn from the women’s archive