By Robin | April 18, 2019

Lee 101 SS19 – Presenting history refreshed

By @rugged_style 

 

With a vast archive from which to draw inspiration, Kansas based denim giant H.D. Lee are delving into the history books once again for their SS19 Collection for the 101 range. With over 130 years’ experience in the denim business, the brand has an awful lot of heritage to draw upon. However, with a true spirit of innovation and forward thinking, Lee aren’t sitting still and SS19 exemplifies this.

Lee 101 is a “premium denim collection that showcases the lines, cuts and detailing of years gone by” and allows Lee to emphasise vintage detailing and historic silhouettes.  With jackets cut wide at the shoulder with a taper to the waist and jeans in relaxed, slim and tapered fits, it’s inherently iconic. Often using selvedge denim fabrics or authentic washes, the collection challenges Lee’s history as a brand but looks forward with a contemporary edge.

For SS19 the brand has channelled classic Americana and campus style, with reference to off-duty football players and prototypal workwear. With a distinctly collegiate yet rugged aesthetic, you can expect some classic staple pieces like the Rider Jacket, alongside some more colourful varsity graphic sweats and t-shirts. Think college campuses, American sportswear and a healthy dose of western inspired denim icons.

A first for SS19 is the reintroduction of a non-denim range inspired by Lee’s archive; LEEsures. In the 1950’s non-denim tapered slacks and rider jackets were a popular part of the collegiate and Ivy League aesthetic. Providing a sharp and smart look, Lee have replicated the iconic Western Weave fabric which is a durable and heavyweight polished cotton.

The collection also includes the classic 101 Zip Jacket which has its roots as far back as 1936, taking inspiration from the famous 191J. With a zip front, two hip pockets, sharp collar and chest pocket with ‘bell’ zipper, it’s a piece which is distinctly ‘heritage’ but never goes out of style. Available in an olive green, it works perfectly with denim or chinos. Another piece which caught our eye was the white selvedge 13.5oz left hand twill Japanese indigo denim used on the Rider Jeans, Jack and 101-Z jeans.

If you like the sounds of this and want to see more, shop the collection here.

Images via Lee Jeans