LEE TEAMS UP WITH PENDLETON WOOLEN MILLS

Lee x Pendleton Woolen Mills
by Stephen Garner
Lee x Pendleton Woolen Mills

Lee has teamed up for the first time with Pendleton Woolen Mills on a curated capsule that celebrates American craftsmanship.

This limited-edition drop reimagines essentials from the brands’ almost 300 years of combined apparel experience. Original Lee styles such as the Lee 101 Jean, Union-Alls, and Storm Rider Jacket have been remixed with exclusively designed Pendleton patterns. Each legacy pattern has been reimagined in new colorways with fabric produced in the U.S.

Adding to the capsule’s uniqueness, the jeans are crafted and sewn in Greensboro, North Carolina. These styles feature some of the last remaining American selvedge denim from Cone Denim’s White Oak Mill, which closed in 2017. Woven on vintage Draper shuttle looms that only produced 100 yards a day, the fabric is another thread in this capsule’s link to American textile history. 

The collection includes men’s and women’s jeans, shirts, jackets, and Union-Alls, as well as a limited-edition woolen blanket made of an exclusive Pendleton stripe design. Prices range from $175 – $400.

“Pendleton’s use of beautiful color and pattern has always been a source of inspiration. Working together is a dream come true,” said Betty Madden, vice-president of global design at Lee. “We’ve taken a fresh design approach and incorporated Cone Mills’ selvedge denim to make this collection heirloom quality with stunning craftsmanship. I’m thrilled with this collaboration.”  

“Working with Lee was a perfect pairing for Pendleton,” added Peter Bishop, executive vice president of merchandise and design at Pendleton. “Their authentic American heritage brand echoes Pendleton’s dedication to quality, design and textile innovation. With so many years of combined craftsmanship and expertise, we’re excited to see this unique apparel and blanket collection come to life.”

The collection is now available on Lee and Pendleton’s websites, and later this month in select Pendleton retailers and independent boutiques.