In Wrangler’s 13MWZ jeans code, what does the number 13 refer to?

In Wrangler’s 13MWZ jeans code, the number 13 refers to 13-ounce denim.

Wrangler introduced the 13MWZ cowboy jean in 1947, designing it for rodeo riders and other western wear customers. The model’s name combines several identifiers: “13” refers to the denim weight, “M” indicates men’s styling, “W” indicates western wear, and “Z” identifies the zipper fly.

A denim ounce is a fabric-weight measurement, not the weight of an individual pair of jeans. Denim weight can vary by production and market conventions, but the number in this model name is traditionally associated with the fabric used for the 13MWZ.

The model became one of Wrangler’s best-known products and remains closely associated with American western clothing. The code is sometimes mistakenly read as a size or a count of hardware components.