I almost forget that Buck Mason has only been around a little over a decade. The Southern California-based clothier has such an appreciation for classic styles and vintage Americana that their products reflect the passion of their creators. And with several collaborations in recent vintage — such as ones with English shoemaker Sanders, prepwear favorite J. Press, and Japanese firm 35 Summers — it’s easy to see why they’ve become a go-to for both inspired designs and old-school revivals.
But now, Buck Mason has partnered with one of its biggest names yet, debuting a six-piece collection with denim legend Lee.
The Collection Overview
While Buck Mason has just been around since 2013, Lee got its start in the late 19th century during the denim boom. And for this latest collaboration, Buck Mason has performed “nearly stitch-by-stitch reconstructions” of some of Lee’s most iconic pieces from the 1940s, including the 101B jean, 101J Rider jacket, and 91B zippered work jacket.
Let’s Talk About Denim
Right out the gate, the 101J Rider jacket is a “true ‘40s reproduction” that includes the same cropped and pleated design, the same zip-zag stitching down the front, and the same two chest pockets with metal tack buttons.
Meanwhile, the 101B jeans are also true to the ‘40s silhouette, featuring a high, scooped back rise and button fly like the original. And best of all, these bring back the X bar tracks on the back pockets that were introduced in 1938 rather than the “lazy S” design from the ‘40s that were arguably less desirable.
Both the 101B and the 101J come in 3 variants. Both the dark blue and washed denim versions feature 12-ounce Japanese loomstate selvedge denim from Kaihara Mills while a third herringbone twill version uses 10-ounce Japanese herringbone twill. All three are finished with Japanese hardware and given a classic black and gold Lee label. All of these items are made in the USA.
The Headliner
While the recreations of vintage jean jackets and pants are spectacular, many shoppers will undoubtedly gravitate towards the suede version of Lee’s iconic work jacket, the 91B Rambler, originally made with denim but now sporting a beautiful 100% cowhide suede shell. Only available in one variant, this is presented in the same design as the original from 1940, including a pair of D patch pockets for your hands, an adjustable hem, a zippered chest pocket, and a zipper down the front — the original 91B was one of the first jackets to feature a zippered front. The corduroy collar of the vintage models has now been given the suede treatment as well.
What Else Is There?
Rounding out the collection are vintage-inspired bandanas made of Japanese rayon and featuring images of Lee’s factories and Buck Mason’s knitting mill. Along with the new items in the collection, Buck Mason is hosting a sale of actual vintage pieces from Lee’s past. These all seem to be one-off items and some have already been marked as “SOLD.”
Spec Sheet
Collection Size: 6 (plus variants)
Fabric: 12oz Japanese selvedge denim (101J, 101B), 10oz herringbone twill (101J, 101B), or 100% cowhide suede (91B)
Limited Edition?: Unspecified
Pricing & Availability
Aside from the one-off vintage pieces, there has been no word on specific edition size for the Lee x Buck Mason Collection, but if you want any of these pieces, I would act fast. Ranging in price from $128 for the rayon bandanas to $898 for the Suede 91B, the collection is now available from Buck Mason’s website.
Recap
Lee x Buck Mason Collection
Buck Mason and Lee have collaborated on this six-piece collection, highlighted with faithful recreations of classic Lee silhouettes form the 1940s, including the 101J Rider Jacket, 101B jeans, and 91B Rambler Jacket.
