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Leon Bridges is nostalgic. For his own life (memories from his childhood in Fort Worth, Texas, are some of his favorite stories to tell). In his music, (his latest album “Gold-Diggers Sound” brings the timeless Southern Soul melodies of the 1960s into the 21st century). And, perhaps most of all, in his style (his daily outfits, when he isn’t on stage wearing custom-made suits from local designers, consist of ’70s-inspired bell-bottom jeans, cowboy hats and denim).
“It’s my uniform,” Bridges tells Variety. “Canadian tuxedo vibes.”
So, when the denim brand Wrangler reached out to the Grammy-winning musician to have him pull archival pieces for an ongoing collaboration, it was an easy yes. Not only would Bridges be able to incorporate western elements from his Texas roots, but he’d be able to curate outfits from the creative cornucopia of the ’70s that can already be found in Bridges’ own personal style and musical projects.
Courtesy of Wrangler
Courtesy of Wrangler
In fact, Wrangler even plays a part in how Bridges first got his start in the music industry. While he was still playing humble café spots throughout his 20s, it was a pair of vintage Wrangler jeans that sparked a conversation with his now friend and collaborator Austin Jenkins. “He came up to me and was like, ‘Oh man, I love the whole Wrangler thing,’” Bridges says. “That’s kinda where it all started for me, and he ultimately changed my life.”
Jenkins ended up producing Bridges’ debut album “Coming Home” with Columbia Records in 2015, and he has worked closely with him on later projects such as 2018’s “Good Things.” It would be reductive to say Wrangler is responsible for Jenkins’ lightning-in-a-bottle discovery of Bridges — it’s hard to believe he wouldn’t have approached the show-stopping singer regardless of what he was wearing — but the moment sparked a special relationship between Bridges and the brand.
“It’s a cool, full circle moment,” Bridges says, although he admits that he doesn’t know exactly where those original vintage Wranglers are anymore – most likely lost to the chaos that’s ensued as he’s risen to fame and toured the world.
Luckily, he now has a 29-piece collection of his own to choose from. The Leon Bridges x Wrangler Collection, which launches on Sept. 28 in celebration of Wrangler’s 75th anniversary, includes a matching cowboy cut denim jacket and pants, laser printed with Bridges’ initials; a washed indigo denim shirt, with yellowing lettering to replicate the brand’s famous 1976 billboard ad; retro graphic tees printed with campaign imagery; and Bridges’ personal favorite, a grovel striped button-down in warm, autumnal hues.
“I saw an old picture on Wrangler’s Instagram of someone wearing a similar shirt with bell-bottom pants and I knew I wanted to recreate it,” he says.
For all its nostalgic inspiration, however, Bridges’ personal touches bring it into the future. Embroidered patches, monogram stamps, leather patches, fine-lined embroidery and laser-printed pocketing prints all don the singer’s initials – fittingly subtle elements for one of our generation’s most humble superstars.
Shop the entire Wrangler x Leon Bridges Collection here.