Surprisingly, LEE didn’t begin by making clothing—or manufacturing anything at all for that matter. Established in 1889 as a wholesale mercantile of groceries & goods to the West, The H.D. Lee Mercantile Company expanded gradually, and in 1912 began to manufacture work wear. Problem-solving designs earned Lee a reputation for quality, service and integrity. The success of Lee’s workwear business eventually transformed the company into a worldwide leader in the apparel industry, known for superior comfort and stylish versatility.