The legacy of Lee‘s Rider and Storm Rider jackets live on.
This week, the heritage denim brand released a limited collection of vintage Lee Rider and Storm Rider jackets through its Lee Archive platform.
The capsule collection features men’s jackets from the ’70s and ’80s. Highlights include black and light and dark wash indigo Rider jackets with orange peel effects, a rare version of the Rider jacket with frayed cuffs and only two chest pockets and Storm Rider that’s over 40 years old and is in perfect condition.
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Jackets retail for $200-$225 and are available on Lee’s website.
The Kontoor Brands-owned label launched Lee Vintage in 2022 with a selection of Lee Storm Rider jackets from the ’60s and ’70s. Other Lee Vintage collections have focused on women’s and men’s denim vests and jean shorts.
“Lee works with verified vintage resellers to source pieces for our archive drops. Each piece then goes through an internal check with our design and quality teams,” Joe Broyles, Lee’s VP of global collaborations, told SJ Denim.
The brand is seeing strong demand for pre-owned apparel. “Lee is one of the original denim brands, and we’re known for our timeless styles and lasting quality. These denim pieces are actively being sought after by denim and vintage fans,” Broyles said.
Additionally, many younger consumers are discovering Lee in the secondhand market. “These types of curated capsules offer another way for us to connect to that consumer as well as introduce them to the brand in a larger way,” he said, noting that most Lee Vintage consumers are new to the brand and tend to be younger that its current customer.
The Rider Jacket dates to 1948 when it was originally designed and advertised to cowboys. The denim jacket features a shorter cut for movement, slanted pockets for ease and reinforced zigzag stitching for durability. A lined version, the Storm Rider, was introduced in 1953. Defined by signature details including a corduroy collar and blanket lining, the Storm Rider jacket is the one Marilyn Monroe wore in one of her most famous photos taken while filming “The Misfits” in 1961.
The jackets continue to resonate with celebrities like Kevin Bacon, Post Malone, Kevin Jonas and Travis Kelce. New versions of the Lee Rider and Storm Rider jackets are featured in the “Built Like Lee” brand campaign, underscoring the styles’ timeless appeal.
