NON STOCK 11Z Painter Pants Work Pants High-Density Canvas Loose Straight Leg Zipper Jeans

The history of painter pants actually dates back a long time. Although the origins of the first painter are debated, it is widely believed that the use of white canvas trousers can be traced back to the 17th century, when British sailors would repurpose old canvas into sturdy trousers to withstand the salty life at sea. This white cotton canvas was initially produced as a cost-saving measure, but its durability and ease of repair made it a perfect fabric. Local artisans, including painters, quickly discovered these robust work pants and began making their own, bringing the design to land. As working methods evolved over the centuries, so did workwear. By the late 19th century, with the booming Industrial Revolution, work pants had transformed from rudimentary, homemade products into modern essentials, complete with copper rivets and sturdy triple stitching. As professional work demanded specialized clothing, details were added to simplify specific tasks. For painters and carpenters, this meant ample pocket space, a comfortable, loose fit for ease of movement, and an extra loop on the leg for brushes or hammers. Specific fabrics also came to represent specific trades. While not absolute—after all, reality is rarely as black and white as history sometimes suggests—railroad workers typically wore striped cloth, farmers and miners wore indigo denim, and painters wore white. Why white? Theories abound, but it's widely thought that this iconic white attire originated with the formation of painter unions in the 19th century. To distinguish themselves from non-union workers, union painters opted for crisp white garments to project a more professional image. Stripped of paint splatters, it’s perhaps unsurprising that these functional trousers eventually found other purposes. In the early 1970s, a group of rock climbers known as the "Stonemasters" gathered in Yosemite National Park, seeking out pants sturdy enough to withstand the demands of sheer cliff faces at California hardware stores—and painter pants fit the bill perfectly. As pioneers of the fast-paced climbing style known as "free climbing," the Stonemasters needed clothing that was lightweight, gear-independent, and emphasized style and speed—work pants were ideal. Not only were these loose-fitting canvas trousers durable, but their bright white cotton fabric also perfectly captured the visual aesthetic of this new generation of counter-culture climbers. Paired with vibrant bandanas and paisley shirts, these pants were a stark contrast to the drab wool or corduroy trousers worn by traditional mountaineers of the past. Recognizing their appeal, the team's unofficial leader, Jim Bridwell, made sure the Stonemasters were always photographed in their crisp painter pants. These pants also carried political weight. Around the same time Bridwell and his peers wore work pants to differentiate themselves from the previous generation of mountaineers, young women wore them with work boots as a symbol of female liberation—fighting for equal access to clothing traditionally worn by men. The 11Z emerged as a classic work pant in the 1950s, originally the lower half of the 91-SB, offering an alternative for those who found bib overalls inconvenient. It featured tool pockets on both sides and a hammer loop, suitable for various types of labor. Recommended pairing with 91-B or 91-J. This reproduction is based on the original vintage LEE 11Z, succeeding the 11W. It debuted in the early 1950s and features a zipper closure. As logging and railroad workers began to decline with development during this era, the name was changed to Painter Work Pants to better reflect everyday wear and to blend classic attire with modern leisure. - Denim Painter Pant - Classic fit / Mid-high rise, straight leg - Indigo / INDIGO - 100% Cotton - 9.5oz-10oz custom woven, custom dyed slub fabric - Plain wash, pre-shrunk - Side tool pockets - TALON design - Crochet label - Brass donut button - Japan GUNZE core-spun thread - Three-needle felled seam construction Size Waist Hip Thigh Front Rise Inseam Leg Opening Total Length W29 74.0 101.0 66.0 32.5 73.0 47.0 105.0 W30 76.0 103.0 67.0 33.0 74.0 48.0 106.0 W31 79.0 106.0 68.0 33.5 75.0 49.0 107.0 W32 82.0 109.0 69.0 34.0 76.0 49.5 108.0 W34 87.0 113.0 71.0 35.0 77.0 51.0 109.5 W36 92.0 117.0 73.0 36.0 78.0 51.5 111.0 W38 96.0 122.0 76.0 37.0 79.0 52.0 113.0 All measurements are taken by hand, with a normal margin of error of approximately 1-2cm.