From the Hip

Women of Lee | Amber

 

At Lee, we’re completely obsessed with helping women look and feel their best in their denim. That’s why we’re excited to show you a peek at the Women of Lee. From world travelers to fashionistas to mothers of three, the Women of Lee are the ladies behind the label who are actively working to create jeans to fit any shape, size and lifestyle. Stay tuned for weekly musings from the Women of Lee on their personal style evolutions, the Lee styles they love and the process behind creating denim for real women.

 

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Our next Woman of Lee works in Lee misses denim product development. A typical day for her can consist of sales meetings with retailers or managing production to ensure the jeans you see in the store are properly tagged and labeled once they hit the floor. So, next time you check the label on a pair of Lees, you’ve got Amber to thank.

 

 

How do you live your life outside of Lee? To me, family is #1 and every week I look forward to our big Sunday dinners. But, to balance out all those big family dinners, I love to run and go biking with my son. Once he’s in bed, I can be found curled up with some celeb gossip mags, keeping up to date on the latest fashion trends.

 

How do you define “Mom Jeans”? To me “Mom Jeans” can usually be described using three terms: 1) high-waisted, 2) tapered and 3) acid wash.

 

Why do you think women wear “Mom Jeans”? Despite how unflattering they may actually be, they are comfortable. It’s easy for a mom to sort of lose herself, in a sense, by putting so much more importance on caring for other people rather than taking the time to take care of herself.

 

How would you like to see “Mom Jeans” redefined? I’m a mom so I see “Mom Jeans” as cool and fashionable because they’re the jeans I’m wearing that day. To me, great jeans help build self-esteem — if you know you look good you feel more confident.

 

How did your style change once you had a baby? For the most part, my style stayed the same, with just a few tweaks here and there. Now I opt for shorts instead of skirts, which makes it a lot easier to bend and squat while zipping up little coats and combing ratty hairs. And pockets definitely serve a more functional purpose; I think I found a baby rattle in my back pocket once.

 

How does Lee develop product that looks good on all women? With our fit solutions, Lee is helping target consumer-specific fit needs. Do you have a gapping problem? Waistband too tight and uncomfortable? Lee develops product to target specific issues like these, and is there to help women easily find a fit solution that works for them.

 

What new Fall Lee styles are you currently loving? I’m obsessed with our new Slender Secret Morrison. They have this fantastic flap back pocket with gorgeous copper detailing.

 

Why do you love Lee? It’s rewarding to see people looking great in our jeans when I’m out and about on the weekends. I also love that the Lee brand is always evolving — for instance, we pour our hearts into product development, fit testing, production and sales for six months straight to help create and promote a brand new line. Then, we start from scratch and do it all over again to provide our consumers with something completely fresh.

 

Describe your personal style? I’m a skinny jeans girl - through and through.

 

Women of Lee | Whitney

 

At Lee, we’re completely obsessed with helping women look and feel their best in their denim. That’s why we’re excited to show you a peek at the Women of Lee. From world travelers to fashionistas to mothers of three, the Women of Lee are the ladies behind the label who are actively working to create jeans to fit any shape, size and lifestyle. Stay tuned for weekly musings from the Women of Lee on their personal style evolutions, the Lee styles they love and the process behind creating denim for real women.

 

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Get up close and personal with our Merchandising Associate, Whitney. She works closely with the design team from product conception to shipment to sales.

 

 

How do you live your life outside of Lee? A lot of my interests are quite relevant to my job (guess I’m in the right place!) like traveling, shopping and sewing.

 

How do you define “Mom Jeans”? Super high-waisted, tapered and fuller in the thigh and the seat. Oh, and can’t forget the acid wash.

 

Why do you think women wear “Mom Jeans”? I believe there is a lack of awareness – many women simply don't know that there is a product out there that offers the comfort of “Mom Jeans”, while still allowing them to be stylish without looking like they’re trying too hard.

 

How has your style changed as you’ve gotten older?  My style has become more timeless and classic vs. trendy. I don’t want to look back on photos and cringe.

 

How does Lee develop product that looks good on all women? Lee researches like crazy to find fits. We hold national fit sessions for real consumers, with both our product and competitor product. We also do an incredible amount of trend research and make sure that we put every single product on fit models before they get shipped to stores.

 

Which Lee styles are particularly good for new moms? Our Slender Secret line is forgiving and still looks really stylish so you don't have to feel like you’re frumping around. The Lee Comfort-Waist line also has really structured fabric that holds you in, but still has a very flexible waist to accommodate your changing middle while you’re still in between sizes.

 

What new Fall Lee styles are you currently loving? The Steven and the Bennett are really cute — they’re our new skinny styles and we are so excited to introduce a new silhouette our target may not be as familiar with. But, don’t let the word skinny scare you, they’re still forgiving, super stretchy and look good on everyone.

 

Why do you love Lee? Our customer is our main priority! We’re making product for real women with real bodies. Our passion is to make her look and feel her best by creating product that’s stylish and flattering, yet still affordable and obtainable.  I am proud to work for a company with rich heritage that is still going 123 years strong!

 

Describe your personal style? My style is classic/vintage with a dash of trend.  I love to scour vintage stores to find unique pieces that tell a story.  I am lucky to have inherited vintage pieces that I treasure.  I like to layer in trends in a way that doesn’t force me have to throw away my whole wardrobe after one season. My go-to piece? Jeans, of course. 

 

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Stay connected with the Women of Lee by "liking" the Lee Jeans Facebook Page.

 

Women of Lee | Katie

 

At Lee, we’re completely obsessed with helping women look and feel their best in their denim. That’s why we’re excited to show you a peek at the Women of Lee. From world travelers to fashionistas to mothers of three, the Women of Lee are the ladies behind the label who are actively working to create jeans to fit any shape, size and lifestyle. Stay tuned for weekly musings from the Women of Lee on their personal style evolutions, the Lee styles they love and the process behind creating denim for real women.

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Meet Katie, the Product Manager for the Lee Misses Casuals line. She’s constantly scouring the marketplace for the next big casual trend and also works directly with consumers (yes, that’s you!) to turn their feedback into a great pair of pants.

How do you live your life outside of Lee? Well my absolute favorite thing to do is travel, which works out really well because I travel all the time. I love being in new places and experiencing new things. I’m also really into exercise — you can usually find me biking, running or just being outside enjoying the fresh air.

 

How do you define “Mom Jeans”? High-waisted jeans that are voluminous in the legs and tight at the ankle.

 

Why do you think women wear “Mom Jeans”? They don’t know any better.  

 

How would you like to see “Mom Jeans” redefined? Mom jeans should be flattering and comfortable, key is giving her something she’s still comfortable in, but a little more flattering. How you feel when you put on a pair of jeans sets the stage for the whole day. If you put on a great outfit, you feel better. If she moves away from “Mom Jeans”, she’s going to be more confident, feel better about herself and be able to validate her own happiness with the support of her family and kids.

 

Did your mom wear ““Mom Jeans””? No, and it’s funny you ask that because my mom actually works at Lee too. She’s worn Lee her whole life and has never has worn ‘mom jeans.”

 

How has your style change as you’ve gotten older? My style has definitely gotten more mature, classic and less risky. I know what the trends are, but I now prefer classic pieces that I can wear for years.

  

How does Lee develop product that looks good on all women? We do so much work on fit —from prototypes to scaling the product from size 4-30. We have real women try on every style in every size in our comfort wear tests. And, this may surprise some people, but the product designers and managers always make sure to try it on and wear it to ensure we like the styles and fit of what we’re designing.

  

What new Fall Lee styles are you currently loving? I’m loving the trouser look lately. Our midrise Antonia trouser is easy to wear to work, but still screams “style” with a beautiful sateen finish. I also really like our Slender Secret Joplin, with the embellished back pockets.

 

Why do you love Lee? I love Lee because it’s so authentic. Brands come and go these days, but Lee has been around for years. There’s a reason for that.

 

 Describe your personal style? I tend to wear plainer tops and pump up the look with accessories. My go-to look is a clean and classic white t-shirt paired with a great statement necklace.

 

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Stay connected with the Women of Lee by "liking" the Lee Jeans Facebook Page.

 

Women of Lee | Meet Sara

 

At Lee, we’re completely obsessed with helping women look and feel their best in their denim. That’s why we’re excited to show you a peek at the Women of Lee. From world travelers to fashionistas to mothers of three, the Women of Lee are the ladies behind the label who are actively working to create jeans to fit any shape, size and lifestyle. Stay tuned for weekly musings from the Women of Lee on their personal style evolutions, the Lee styles they love and the process behind creating denim for real women.

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 Get up close and personal with our product development assistant, Sara. She works closely with the misses casuals team to develop all non-denim women’s bottoms.

   Hi Sara! How do you live your life outside of Lee?

I have an 8-year-old daughter so I’m running around with her a lot of the time. A *relaxing* weekend may be spent cheering her on at a softball game, doing countless art projects and playing outside.

 

How do you define “Mom Jeans”?

  I think “Mom Jeans” are those high-waisted jeans that hit the belly and (how do you say this politely?) highlight the derriere…in all the worst ways.

 

Why do you think women wear “Mom Jeans”?

It’s what they’re used to. It’s what they’re comfortable doing. They may want to wear something else but are afraid of looking too trendy. They aren’t aware of the fashionable options out there that are - gasp! - flattering, age-appropriate AND comfortable.

 

How would you like to see “Mom Jeans” redefined?

 Your “Mom Jeans” should be the jeans that make you feel your best. They should make you feel like you’re hot, because moms are hot, too! All the time we are evolving and constantly changing as people in tastes, looks and interests — why not do the same with your jeans?

 

Does your mom ever wear “Mom Jeans”?

 Every once in awhile we catch my mom wearing some bad mom jeans…and then I send her some Lee product.

 I actually got her in a pair of skinnies the last time I was home. Baby steps.

 

How did your style change once you had a baby?

 I have to be honest — my style didn’t change when I became a mom. You’re a better mom when you know you look good and are comfortable, instead of constantly preoccupied with what you’re wearing. Every single piece I have is still “me” and they are things I would have worn both then and now.

 

How does Lee develop product that looks good on all women?

 When we develop new fits, we get real women in our building, talk with them at length about their fit needs and concerns and perform full fit sessions from sizes 2-18.

 

Which Lee styles are particularly good for new moms?

We receive a lot of praise from new moms on our styles with the “instantly slimming” technology that holds the belly in, which is something you’re definitely more self-conscious of after having a baby, or two. I also love our comfort waistline. Jeans with the comfort-waist technology move with you but are still fashionable. These styles help hold you in without letting anyone else know that what you’re wearing has a support panel on the inside.  

 

What new Fall Lee styles are you currently loving?

 We have a great new trouser in our No-Gap line called the Antonia. It comes in dressy sateens as well as dressy denim, so it’s a very versatile style that can work double-duty both in the office and out on the town.

 

Why do you love Lee?

I love Lee. I like what Lee stands for. We are truly trying to provide the consumer with what she needs and wants. It’s exciting for me to get the chance to work on delighting her and making sure we are held accountable for giving her those things.

 

Describe your personal style:

 Black’s my favorite color (well, I consider it a color…) so I'm often seen in my favorite pair of black Lee Jett skinnies. I love to pair them with looser tops, tons of accessories, and I always finish the look off with a pair of fun shoes. Always.

 

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Stay connected with the Women of Lee by "liking" the Lee Jeans Facebook Page.

 

 

 

 

 

Introducing: The Women of Lee

 

At Lee, we’re completely obsessed with helping women look and feel their best in their denim. That’s why we’re excited to show you a peek at the Women of Lee. From world travelers to fashionistas to mothers of three, the Women of Lee are the ladies behind the label who are actively working to create jeans to fit any shape, size and lifestyle. Stay tuned for weekly musings from the Women of Lee on their personal style evolutions, the Lee styles they love and the process behind creating denim for real women.

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 Get up close and personal with our merchandising specialist, Robin. She’s one of the first people to view the final products (jealous!) and is also responsible for product development at Lee.

 

Hi Robin! Tell us, how do you live your life outside of Lee?

When I’m not scouring the latest fashion mags, I’m all about my cat, dog and husband (not necessarily in that order…) and watching anything and everything on Bravo.

How do you define “Mom Jeans”?

 “Mom Jeans” are any jean that makes you look or feel, ahem, not your best. In one word - unflattering. 

Why do you think women wear “Mom Jeans”?

There’s nothing easy about denim shopping because, let’s face it, it’s difficult. Well, I take that back, there is one easy thing about shopping for denim…getting overwhelmed and quitting. It’s easy to continue wearing jeans that may have worked in the past, without knowing they’re no longer stylish or flattering on your body. That’s why it’s important to find a brand like Lee that offers a variety of cuts, styles and washes so it’s easy to find a pair that fits your body the best. 

How does Lee develop product that looks good on all women?

This is our primary goal here at Lee, so we do this in a number of ways. First off, Lee labels their products very clearly; for instance a pink tag means Classic Fit, a red tag means Comfort Fit and a green tag means Natural Fit. The colors help you easily identify the right fit solution, which helps get you in and out of the store quickly and looking great. Secondly, there are real women designing the product. What better way to relate to the consumer than to have moms working to develop jeans for other moms? 

How would you like to see “Mom Jeans” redefined?

  I don’t think the word should even be in existence.

How has your style evolved as you’ve gotten older?

My style has definitely become more professional. The waistlines and rises have gone up a lot, and my style goals now are to look put together and sophisticated vs. trendy. 

What Lee styles are you currently loving?

 I love ANYTHING from our Slender Secret line — the skinny and bootcut Slender Secret styles are my personal favs. They’re trendy but in a toned down way, so you can be fashion conscious without looking like you’re trying too hard. 

Describe your personal style:

 Romantic and feminine. I’m a sucker for anything girly – even with a quick glance at my closet it’s hard to miss the ruffles, frills and sparkles.

 

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Stay connected with the Women of Lee by "liking" the Lee Jeans Facebook Page.

 

 

 

 

 

The Volatile Cotton Market

Whether it’s taking your family out for dinner, picking up a few things from the grocery store or buying a new pair of jeans, you may have noticed that prices for everyday items are going up. Here at Lee Jeans, we can relate.

Across the board, we are seeing the costs of doing business increase, and the apparel industry is no exception. The price of cotton has risen to an unprecedented high that continues to fluctuate. In fact, it’s something I’ve never experienced in my career at Lee or our 122-year history! 

So, what’s behind the cost increase?  There are a number of factors that go into the increasing cost of cotton, but bottom line is that supply has not kept up with demand. When the recession hit, the price of cotton fell. Many cotton farmers switched to more profitable crops, such as corn and soybeans. However, the demand for cotton remained stable—and why not? We love our jeans and comfortable clothes, right? But, this demand has led to the increased cost of cotton – with prices in the past year alone more than doubling. On top of that, the rising cost of transportation has driven an increase in the cost of all goods.

Our Lee team has looked at various ways to minimize the impact to you, our customer. The truth is the cost of cotton has risen considerably and we will have to increase our prices. As the price of cotton continues to fluctuate, we have been cautious to determine final pricing so you will feel the least possible impact. We appreciate your loyalty and support and will continue to look at ways to offer innovative products at a competitive price – this is our promise to you.

 

Bill Lynch, Lee Vice President, Merchandising

 

Lee featured in Outside magazine

Another quality publication, Outside magazine, has recognized Lee Jeans in its pages.  Our Men's Heritage Straight Fit jeans are featured in the January issue -- one of eight pant brands shown in its style spread.

We love these jeans, but of course we're biased! A customer review sums it up best:

Thanks Outside. And thanks to all our customers. YOU are the people that make Lee look so good and be deserving of this kind of recognition.

Lee "Win Your Holiday Shopping List" Winner Announced

We hope you get what you want for the Holidays, but we KNOW Cindy from Spokane, Washington, will be getting an iPod Nano, a 3G/Wifi Kindle and a Troy-Bilt 179cc dual-stage 24" gas snow blower this year, courtesy of Lee Jeans.

(Spokane gets about 50" of snow a year!)

All of Cindy's wish-list items will arrive this week, just in time for Christmas. She'll also receive a $100 spending spree on Lee.com.  Thank you, Cindy, for sharing your holiday shopping list with us, and to all the others that participated. We had fun reading your lists and playing Santa!

Product Review: Lee Men's Denim Jacket

Mary Davis, a freelance writer and professional blogger, and also a Lee Fit Ambassador, was kind enough to test-drive one of our new products.  Actually, she volunteered her husband to do it! Check out the review on her blog, Everyday Baby Steps.

Guest Post: "Tuesdays with Denim," By Peter Moore, Editor of Men's Health magazine

I used to have a rule: I only wore jeans to the office on Tuesdays.

OK, maybe that means I'm old school. But let me explain. Like every other guy on the planet, jeans are my favorite pants. I own pairs in at least seven different colors or finishes, with cuts that vary from snug to sloppy. Some have holes, some are ragged around the cuff, some have grease stains that will never come out, some have button flies, some standard. But they all have a place in my pantheon, and particular moods and ideas that are woven into the fabric.

A few even have stories associated with them, like the pair I was wearing when I shot a kudu in South Africa or the pair I pulled on when my wife and I rushed to the hospital to deliver our first born. It will surprise no guy to know that, though that son is in college now, the jeans are still hanging in my closet, for special occasions. (To my wife, they're my "are you still wearing those?" jeans. When I remind her why I'm holding on to them, she hangs them reverently, in tatters, like the original "Star Spangled Banner" that flew over Fort Sumter.) And then there are the jeans that are still acquiring their stories—too new to be really comfortable yet, but always showing promise, like a mid-first-round NBA draft pick who, with proper development, will round into shape in a couple more years.

Jeans are like that: An investment in comfort, and personal history.

From all of that obsessing about jeans, maybe you've guessed why I instituted my jeans regulation. I work in a very comfortable office, so I could get away with wearing jeans every day if I wanted to. "Tuesdays with Denim" kept me from overdoing blue.

But as the years pass, I notice more cool colors and finishes coming around, more ideas for what looks good with those colors and finishes, and an increasing realization there are a ton of ways to look good, and feel great, while wearing them. We publish an annual "Denim Guide" in MH specifically because the guys on staff demanded help managing the blue end of their closets.

And with that knowledge comes the freedom to innovate, to pair jeans with knits, sport coats, vests, upscale tees, all the rest. So I've abandoned the Tuesday rule. Now I just try to avoid wearing them two days in a row, to give my other pants a chance.

But to be honest, I don't try all that hard. My jeans fully deserve their status as "favorites," after all. I think I’ll wear ‘em tomorrow. Maybe the next day, too.

Our special thanks to Peter Moore, Editor of Men's Health magazine, for this post. You can follow Peter on Twitter @editrmh or his blog: mhlife.menshealth.com