Lady Lee Rider

first introduced in 1948

The first pants made by the H.D. Lee Company for women were Lady Lee Riders. The button-fly front style was made from 1947-1950 and they were advertised as “Authentic Cowboy Pants, Button-Fly, Sanforized, 8 oz. coarse weave denim.” The fabric and 5-pocket construction were identical to men’s Lee Riders with the same red and gold thread, bar tack stitched rivets on back pockets and topstitching, and came with the same guarantee to fit, or your money back. Lady Lee Riders were made with a small dart in the yoke to create a more fitted waist for the female physique, with a fuller seat and hips than men’s Riders.

101J Rider Jacket

first introduced in 1948

Lee did not introduce a Lee Rider Jacket for women until 1973. Until then, women bought smaller men’s jackets or youth sizes. For this reason, the original 1948 101J has been reissued for this collection.

All Purpose Blue Jean

first introduced in 1949

In October 1949, Lee introduced a second style of pants for women, “Ladies Dungarees, sizes 8-20 side-opening zipper.” By July 1950, they were listed in Price Lists as Ladies’ and Misses All-Purpose Blue Jeans with a side opening zipper. The pants were a fuller, looser fit than Lady Lee Riders, made of 8 oz. Sanforized denim with a smoother hand than the coarse denim of Lady Lee Riders.

Frontier Lady

first introduced in 1952

Lee introduced a third denim pant style for women in March, 1952. Frontier Lady pants were tapered trousers made of 8 oz. Sanforized denim. Distinguishing features of the Frontier Lady included a side zipper closure, tapered legs, and two small flap pockets terminating at the hip, forgoing the five-pocket construction of the Lady Lee Rider for a flat front.