Lee introduced the 101Z jeans, one of the earliest widely marketed zipper-front jeans.
The 101Z was introduced in 1926 by the H. D. Lee Mercantile Company, which had begun making workwear in Kansas. Its zipper fly offered a practical alternative to the button-fly construction associated with many earlier work trousers.
Lee’s history began with Henry David Lee, who established the company in 1889. The brand became known for durable work clothing, including overalls, jackets, and denim trousers. The 101 designation became an important part of Lee’s product identity.
The 101Z is sometimes confused with later western and fashion jeans, but its importance lies in its early use of a zipper closure in a major American denim brand. Zipper-front jeans eventually became common across the industry.