In Thing: Lee 101z jeans

Anyone who wears denim knows a kind of love affair exists between them and their jeans. They know which brand, label, style and size looks best, where to shop, and how long it takes to wear a pair thin. Once the ideal pair has been found, denim lovers remain forever faithful to their chosen brand. But Lee has been prizing confirmed Wrangler and Levi wearers away from their treasured denims and are now the undisputed No 2 jeans worldwide. Most stylish of their range is their very special 101z. Favourites of Marilyn Monroe and Japanese denim freaks, they're made from crispy new 'ring/ring denim and have racy yellow stitching, copper rivets, the original style U-shaped crotch and a tapered bootleg cut. They're not a new design. In fact, the 101z are the world's first zip-fly jeans and were designed in 1926. The company simply dusted off the blueprint and relaunched. Retailing at a hefty pounds 69.50, these handsome strides are being bought by London's urban cowboys and girls.

Lee's 101z at American Classics, 400 King's Rd SW10 (071-352 2853) Mon-Sat 10am-6.30pm.

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