Help Needed: Have I Found Vintage Lee Deadstock?

[meshell kangaroo]

Hello everyone, I need some help, please! I’m in Australia and recently came across a pair of Lee jeans. I’m trying to figure out if they’re genuinely vintage deadstock.

I’ve included photos to help with identification—any insights or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Thank you in advance!

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

These are fabulous, what a find! As per our forum rules, we do not do authentications. I can say they look vintage to me and 1960's- If you search "101Z lee riders sanforized", you will find a few.
Here is a great example of the pocket label- https://union-made.blogspot.com/2012/08/1948-lee-riders-pocket-flasher.html
And a couple on Ebay for comparison- Credit to the sellers

VTG 60’s LEE Riders Sanforized Leather Label Jeans Men’s SZ 27”x 30” Union Made | eBay

<p>VTG 60’s LEE Riders Sanforized Leather Label Jeans Men’s SZ 27”x 30” Union Made</p><br /><p>Features:</p><p>42 Talon Zipper </p><p>15 Button</p><p>Sanforized</p><p>Union Made</p><br /><p>Measurements:</p><br /><p>27 Inch Waist</p><p>11.5 Inch Rise</p><p>30 Inch Inseam</p><p>8 Inch Leg Opening...

www.ebay.com

Very Rare 60s Lee 101Z W29L31 Side black tag with ears denim pants Unused F/S | eBay

Listed size: W29L31. Waist 35.5cm Rise 28cm Length 79.5cm Hem width 21.5cm Total length 106.5cm.

www.ebay.com

 

[MimiMae]

I’d say 40s or 50s. There are articles that show how the logo altered slightly between the decades. Apparently, the squiggly lettering was something the Lee company started doing in the 40s.



In the 60s it changed to more straight and neat font. The brought back the squiggly logo in 2016 and it’s been that way ever since. The reason I think it’s 40s or 50s is because of the black label that says “union made”. I don’t think they do that anymore. So it can’t be from the 2000s.

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

Lee began adding the registered trademark symbol "R" to its labels after the Lanham Act of 1946. They largely stopped being labeled as "Union Made" around the early 1980s.
Lee Label Resource

 

[meshell kangaroo]

Thank you for your help! I honestly didn’t even notice the word Sanforized on the label at first. I’m just a bit shocked to have found them. My initial thought is that they must be fake or reproductions—there’s no way I’ve stumbled upon such a rare pair of jeans—but it really seems like I have.

By the way, do you know what the number 70001–0 under 101-Z means? Also, is it normal for them to have a care tag saying ‘Tumble Dry’ attached?

 

[morning-glorious]

I agree with 60s especially because of the boot cut or flare shape - I don't believe they made that prior to mid 60s. Great find!

 

[dollsntrolls]

I actually think these are early 80s, due to all of the lettering styles. If you can make out the lot number, that would have helpful information. The cleaning info is always a tool to compare to other evidence. I don't believe the leather Lee patch was used in the 60s. And, it's only sewn on two sides, making it another belt loop, which is very Urban Cowboy, making it another clue to point to 80s, for me. Either way - they look completely unworn, and the 1980s absolutely count as vintage.

 

[meshell kangaroo]

Apologies about my nail polish.

 

[Midge]

Fab find! I would have said 60s/70s first too, but the cut is more bootcut than flared I think on looking at your photos again, and the tumble dry instructions too sound more like an 80s thing. I had black corduroy flares by Lee ca. from the late 60s or the 70s, that I bought deadstock and wore literally to death... unfortunately that was one of my earliest vintage finds and I did not keep or photograph the label!