The Wrangler story begins in 1897 when CC Hudson, at just 20 years old, leaves the Spring Hill farm in Williamson County, Tennessee, to pursue a dream: to make his fortune in the textile town of Greensboro, North Carolina. Like almost everything in life, he started from the bottom, and it was no different for him. He worked in an overalls factory, sewing buttons for 25 cents a day.
In 1904, the factory where he worked closed, and CC Hudson, along with his brother, bought several sewing machines and began sewing on a mezzanine, forming the Hudson Overall Company. In 1919, his overalls gained popularity, and the company name was changed to Blue Bell Overall Company.
In 1926, Big Ben Manufacturing of Kentucky acquired Blue Bell, but the Wrangler brand would only come later, specifically in 1943, when Blue Bell acquired the Casey Jones Company, a workwear manufacturer, and with it, the rights to the Wrangler brand, rarely used by Casey Jones.
Finally, in 1947, the authentic Wrangler western jeans, designed by celebrity tailor Rodeo Ben, were introduced to the American consumer. Professional rodeo cowboys Jim Shoulders, Bill Linderman, and Freckles Brown tested, approved, and praised the Wrangler brand for its durability, quality, and authenticity.
A year later, Jim Shoulders, world rodeo champion, winner of 16 world championships, including five All-Around titles, seven bull riding titles, and four bareback riding titles, became the official spokesperson for Wrangler.
In the 1950s, Wrangler became the preferred brand of cowboys and rodeo competitors, even sponsoring big names in the sport. This direct connection with the country lifestyle helped solidify its image of authenticity and resilience. Starting in the 1970s, Wrangler went beyond the American West and began to gain space in the urban wardrobe. Its pieces began to be seen not only in rodeo arenas, but also on the streets around the world, proving their versatility and timeless style.
Currently, Wrangler is recognized as one of the three giants of global jeans, and although it is a cutting-edge brand, it has never lost the essence that was born in the countryside; this Wrangler western tradition naturally transitions with current culture.
Wrangler is the most traditional brand and one of the main sponsors in the world of rodeos. The brand supports the biggest championships in the sport, such as the PBR (Professional Bull Riders), entities like the WCRA, and dozens of elite bull and barrel racing athletes. In the hit series Yellowstone, which portrays the world of American ranches and the life of the Dutton family, Wrangler appears as part of the official wardrobe. In 2021, the brand even launched the Wrangler x Yellowstone Collection, featuring pieces inspired by the series and reinforcing its connection with contemporary cowboy style.
