Wrangler has its roots in the Hudson Overalls Company of Greensboro, NC. Founded in 1904 it was renamed Blue Bell in 1919 (some sources say 1908). For years they manufactured work clothing for men and during WWII they manufactured clothing for military use. After the war, in an attempt to compete with the jeans makers Levi Strauss and Lee, they decided to develop a brand name they had acquired in 1943 when they bought the Casey Jones Company. This brand was Wrangler.
In 1947 Blue Bell hired a renowned rodeo tailor, Ben Lichtenstein, or Rodeo Ben, to develop a line of jeans under the Wrangler name. The line was successful and so the Wrangler name was also used for other denim clothing, including that for women and children.
In 1986, Blue Bell and Wrangler were bought by the VF Corporation.
Written by fuzzylizzie
See vintage Wrangler from VFG members on Etsy (paid link)
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