Lee introduced the 101 cowboy jeans that became a landmark Lee model.
The Lee 101 line developed from the company’s workwear business and became strongly associated with western clothing. Lee began making denim garments in the late nineteenth century, and its products gained attention among workers, ranchers, and consumers seeking durable clothing.
The 101 designation became one of Lee’s best-known model names. Lee later promoted its jeans through western imagery, specialized cuts, and connections with rodeo and cowboy culture. That history helped distinguish Lee from Levi Strauss and Wrangler, even though all three brands became major American denim names.
The date attached to the 101 line can vary by model and historical account, because Lee revised its products over time. The important identification is the brand: Lee, not Wrangler or Levi Strauss, made the 101 line a signature model.