They are universally flattering; they do double, triple, or quad duty to go with every look; and they more often than not have an awesome origin story. The Lee Rider Jacket, an American classic, is one such treasure. Rooted in authentic cowboy culture—seriously, you had to prove your cowboy status before you could buy one when they first came out (how cool is that?!)—the blue jean is eternally chic and endlessly wearable.
But just because it’s been around for over 70 years doesn’t mean it lacks innovation. The Rider is now available in a variety of silhouettes, including an of-the-moment longer cut, so you can have the best of all worlds.
For some inspiration on how to style yours, Jade Vallario, ELLE’s accessories editor is here. In this video, she highlights four unique ways to wear the Rider, from her beloved denim-on-denim—paired with a white tee and casual-cool sneakers—to repurposing the oversize version into a dress with some fly metallic boots. And there’s a reverse-it-and-toss-a-belt-on moment you won’t want to miss that’s so good, it even takes Jade by surprise. “Okay, I’m kind of shocked by how good this looks!” she swoons.
Check out the video for all her tips and tricks, and head over to lee.com to shop the collection of Rider Jackets available now. You may feel like a cowboy, in the most upscale sense of the word.