Old Bull Lee Shorts
After working as an architect for 15 years, Old Bull Lee owner Lee Johnson is now designing some of the most exclusive and imaginative shorts a man could aspire to obtain. Here he describes his move to menswear design, quest for the finest fabrics and vision for Old Bull Lee.
“I am not exactly sure how I decided to start making shorts. But I know in the beginning, I could have made you a house faster than a pair of shorts. Early on, I had a meeting with someone in production and I couldn’t even hear them because I was so busy trying to keep my face from registering that I had no idea what they were saying. So, I signed up for a sewing course. It was me and six little girls, who were making Christmas costumes for themselves and at the end of the day their fathers arrived to pick them up and saw me sitting there in the circle, on little kids furniture with their daughters. It was uncomfortable.
Old Bull Lee’s origins as a brand involve selling my home for start up capital and some adventurous pursuits of fabric companies in Europe. When first arriving there and knocking on their doors, none of them would give me the time of day. I flew home, got a friend of a friend in the industry to write me a letter of introduction and flew back to Europe one step closer to making Old Bull Lee a reality.
Our fabrics are sourced from France and Italy and our garments are made in the U.S. As I’ve been told, our Italian supplier keeps their fabrics in an underground cave with a stream running through it so that the fabric doesn’t get “stressed out.” I don’t really know if the emotional well being of fabric makes a difference, but that is someone I want to get my fabrics from and with whom I enjoy working.
At Old Bull Lee, we aren’t just finding something, moving one molecule and then calling it our own but are trying to create something truly new in the world of menswear. We aren’t for everyone and I’m okay with that. We are going to play it straight with our custumers and give them a high quality product that is tastefully done. We’ve taken an awfully long, hard road to get here and hopefully the product expresses some of that heart or God willing, soul.”
After getting my hands on a couple pairs, I can attest to Old Bull Lee’s quality and charm but three lucky readers will get to do the same at no cost. Simply leave a comment to this post to enter. For additional entries:
+1 (2 Total) “Like” Old Bull Lee on Facebook
+1 (3 Total) “Follow” Old Bull Lee on Twitter
+1 (4 Total) “Like” AHD on Facebook
+1 (5 Total) “Follow” AHD on Twitter
+1 (6 Total) Let others know about the giveaway by Tweeting: “I entered to win @OldBullShorts on @AHeadlongDive. Go here to enter yourself: http://wp.me/pXXtj-1fX”
Entries must be in by June 17th at midnight for a chance to win. I’ll announce the winners via Twitter Monday June 18th.
Special thanks to Old Bull Lee for providing the product for the giveaway. Shorts to be given away are based on style, size and availability and are at the discretion of Old Bull Lee, Inc.
Those are some bold shorts indeed.
I’m in with a +6! Thanks!
Sweet shorts.
Gorgeous fabrics.
If I win, can I have a little extra fabric to get a matching bowtie made?
GO TO HELL SHORTS WITH A PROVENANCE A DEFINITION OF CHIC ALA BOHO WEARABLE FROM PORTOFINO TO TO ONES OWN PORCH ..ITS IN THE CHOICE OF FABRIC..LE DIABLE EST DANS LES DETAILS
I love these. Beautiful.
Big fan of the shorts, going for a +6 on this one.
Very awesome. Eccentric design and superior quality. Would be perfect for the summer months ahead.
Wow. These are awesome. This guy found a great niche.
Perfect to wear to a naked lunch.
fingers crossed!
I’d love to sport a pair of those shorts!
I never wear shorts … so this is a chance to expose my pasty legs to the general public for free.
The featured shorts remind me of Vera Bradley! Oh so very in right now
Winning the shorts would mean so much to my aspiring wardrobe. Hope to win some! Good luck ERRBODY!! 
It’s 2012 and time to be bold – these are great!
Christ, these look good.
I’m gonna rob a bank in these and get caught.
Entering for a +6
Shorts aren’t my style… well… perhaps until now.
They would look lovely with a strong cuff.
These would look fantastic with a strong cuff.
These are fantastic. ‘Liked’ both Facebook pages!
Some very nice designs here.
Love the designs on the fabrics. Great way to spruce up an outfit and add a little whimsy.
Great designs on the fabrics, and a lovely way to spruce up an outfit and add a little whimsy.
Shorts look awesome, love the paisley
shorts are awesome, love the paisley
Great Patterns!
Great Patterns
lovely stuff!
These are simply the most bold and wonderful shorts I’ve come across so far this year. I must own some immediately.
I’ve never been afraid to go bold with shorts… but pants in those fabrics would probably be too much for the average Joe. Looking forward to some good weather to start wearing some more colorful pants and shorts!
+6,too!!
Sweet prints!
Them shorts cray
These look so fresh
The blue pair is beautiful.
Awesome Colors! Perfect for the Spring leading into summer!!
Amazing. This is exactly what I have been looking for.
Amazing. these are exactly what I have been looking for.
These are great shorts. Hoping to win a pair for sure.
Amazing patterns. Finally something other than khaki.
Very artistic fabrics. I love that the patterns almost look flawed or overprinted. Beautiful!
Love to see someone giving menswear a firm kick in the pants.
these make me soooo happy
Fancy pants!
Love the first pair.
Lee is going to knock this one out of the park, gimmie my Old Bull Lee’s!
these are awesome
Incredible designs! Entering with a total of 3
Such fantastic prints and wonderful detailing.
Awesome. Some of the most unique, summer party shorts I’ve seen.
The patterns…mesmerizing…
great shorts. went to the site, and the prints blew me away. why is no one else using such fantastic patterns?
I was told to leave a comment?
For my husband, with love
they look great!
Love them
Great patterns! Very unique.
Gosh darn. Those shorts are something I’d want to wear until I’m fifty.
Congrats to the Old Bull Lee giveaway winners: @JoePanuncialman @ryan_whitehead @jwhayles.
Thanks to all who entered. More giveaways to come…
These prints are cute! Wish my wife could give me something like this.
fantastic watch in these pics, that vintage Omega Seamaster. And the band is perfect.
Reblogged this on Old Bull Lee.