James Dean Lee Riders appreciation
Question about these Lee Riders I found
Mail day: NOS Made in the USA Lee riders
Is there a difference between Lee and Riders by Lee jeans?
Videos
James Dean who would have been 93 years old a couple of days ago was known to be a big Lee jeans guy. I think most probably assumed he wore Levi's but it was actually Lee Riders. Lee of course in the 50s were more popular east cost with their sanforized and zip fly denim. The jeans almost look pretty slim straight in some pictures but you can see from the ones that went on auction in 2006 (last photo) they were quite wide.
In his second film Rebel without a Cause his Lee jeans really pop off the screen with their vivid blue colour in contrast with the red Harrington jacket. Interestingly the gang he finds him self up against all wear Levis 501.
The jeans he wore in Giant, his third and last film, are clearly worn in, I assume by the costume department. Lee archives actually have a made in Japan with a similar fit and wash. I love raw/one-wash denim but it's tempting to add them to my collection.