Abercrombie & Fitch — a brand that spans over one hundred years — was initially famed for its wide variety of expensive sporting equipment and attire. It was said it carried everything from “exercise balls to elephant guns.” The company started as an outdoorsman and hunting store in the late 19th century before transforming into the clothing mecca for teens in the 1990s and early 2000s.
In New York in 1892, David T. Abercrombie — a former miner, trapper and railroad surveyor — opened the Abercrombie Company as a sporting goods and camping equipment store. Ezra Fitch — a wealthy lawyer, real estate developer and one of Ambercrombie’s best customers — became a partner in the company in 1900. In 1904, the company was incorporated and renamed "Abercrombie & Fitch Co." Fitch bought Abercrombie's share of the business and became the sole owner from 1907 to 1928.
Fitch anticipated a clientele far broader than merely those who had to camp to earn a living. Abercrombie & Fitch (A&F) became the go-to retailer when the wealthy planned safaris and other international excursions.
While it’s true that military style by now has truly invaded fashion, A&F is credited with bringing the safari suit, a hunting outfit based on British colonial military uniforms, to the urban consumer. For more than half a century, their goods were the image of correctness and opulence — inspiring a humorist to mock a perfectly-outfitted, affluent fisherman as an “Abercrombie and Fitcherman.” Fitch retired in 1928, selling his interest in the company to his brother-in-law, James S. Cobb.
By 1939 A&F was touted as the greatest sporting goods store in the world. During A&F’s peak, its customers included Ernest Hemingway and Teddy Roosevelt. The company outfitted the polar expeditions led by Roald Amundsen and Admiral Richard Byrd and provided equipment to the famed aviators Charles Lindbergh and Amelia Earhart.
Hard times fell on A&F in the 1970s, but the brand pivoted and emerged as a trendy clothing chain for teens and young adults in the '80s and '90s. Whenever it expanded during its heyday, the company confined its new stores to downtown areas of large cities and luxury-destination hotel stores. The company then attempted to widen its customer base by moving into the suburbs and adding less-expensive items to its usual stock.
For fashion lovers, the 1990s have become associated with styles adopted by today’s supermodels and influencers, and today’s enthusiasts of the era’s aesthetic don’t have to look much further than to vintage Abercrombie & Fitch to get their fix.
On 1stDibs, find Abercrombie & Fitch coats, jackets, vintage leather goods and more.
$525Sale Price|24% Off
Rare 1960s Abercrombie & Fitch Romper Jumpsuit with Skort Red White & Blue
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in San Diego, CA
Rare and super adorable vintage 60s ABERCROMBIE & FITCH cotton romper / onesie / jumpsuit with attached skort! Buttons up the bodice. Cute red, white and blue printed flowers through...
1960s Abercrombie & Fitch Orange Linen Vintage 60s Cropped Jacket
By Abercrombie & Fitch
Located in San Diego, CA
Chic and rare 1960s ABERCROMBIE & FITCH orange linen cropped jacket! Features luxurious soft Irish linen and original mother of pearl round buttons up the front. Can easily be dresse...
$550
Size: none; comparable to size S
Marrakesh Ivory Sequin Blouson Top and Harem Pant Dinner Pajama Set - S, 1971
Located in Tucson, AZ
As festive and elegant as any party dress but as comfortable as pajamas, this ensemble conjures images of the Arabian Nights while remaining fashionably up-to-the-moment. Its soft, n...
Early 2000s Thierry Mugler Mossy Green Suede Fringe Eyelet Pant Vest Set
By Thierry Mugler, Thierry Mugler Couture
Located in West Hollywood, CA
Presenting an olive green suede Thierry Mugler vest and pant set designed by Manfred Mugler. From the early 2000s, the pants and vest are accented with silver-tone grommets. The pant...
$237Sale Price|40% Off
Size: Medium
New With Tags Kenneth Cole Poppy Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Medium
By Kenneth Cole
Located in Conroe, TX
New Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Medium Kenneth Cole Coat Brand New w/ Tags * Stunning in Poppy, dark Coral * Sateen Overall Look and Feel * Silver and Tortoi...
Donald Brooks 1960s Vintage Plaid Wool Jacket with Leather Bobble Buttons
By Donald Brooks
Located in Sparks, NV
Gorgeous tailored plaid jacket by Donald Brooks in a vibrant plaid. Black leather bobble buttons and couture hand stitched detailing. Medium weight wool. Details: Fully Lined Side ...
$2150 New Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL F/W 2001 Jacket Blazer FR 34
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Fall / Winter 2001 Brand New Without Tags A Rare Find Size: FR 34 $2150 100% Virgin Wool Black Virgin Wool Jacket With Ruffle Trim Shown at the 2001 ...
Thierry Mugler Red Silver Bullet Blazer Jacket Hiver Buick collection FW 1989
By Thierry Mugler
Located in Berlin, BE
Stunning red Thierry Mugler blazer jacket with amazing silver bulllet details. Hiver Buick collection FW 1989. Adorned with chrome ornaments inspired by the 1959 Cadillac Eldorado. V...
$2150 New Rare Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent YSL F/W 2001 Jacket Blazer SZ 36
By Yves Saint Laurent, Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent
Located in Conroe, TX
Tom Ford for Yves Saint Laurent Fall / Winter 2001 Brand New Without Tags A Rare Find Size: FR 36 $2150 100% Virgin Wool Black Virgin Wool Jacket With Ruffle Trim Shown at the 2001 ...
$295Sale Price|25% Off
Size: Small
New With Tags Kenneth Cole Poppy Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Small
By Kenneth Cole
Located in Conroe, TX
New Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Small Kenneth Cole Coat Brand New w/ Tags * Stunning in Poppy, dark Coral * Sateen Overall Look and Feel * Silver and Tortois...
Giorgio Armani Vintage Navy + Beige Silk Striped Pants + Top 2-Piece Ensemble
By Giorgio Armani
Located in Sparks, NV
Chic navy blue and beige silk two piece ensemble with diagonal stripes by Giorgio Armani. Both pieces can be worn together or separately! Details: Unlined Side Pockets on Pants ...
$449Sale Price|70% Off
Size: 38
NEW Missoni Asymmetric Sequins Crochet Knit Mini Jumpsuit Romper Playsuit 38
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
Missoni crochet-knit playsuit is as colorful and vibrant as the coastal setting you'll likely be wearing it in. Classic MISSONI signature zigzag crochet knit Stunning colors...
$299Sale Price|62% Off
Size: 40
NEW Missoni Gold Metallic Crochet Knit Lurex Palazzo Wide Leg Pants Trousers 40
By Missoni
Located in Switzerland, CH
MISSONI LUREX PALAZZO PANTS A timeless and elegant piece - so versatile that it is stunning on a night, elegant at daytime and cozy worn as loungewear. Missoni signature piece ...
Hermès Women's Contemporary Sheepskin Gilet with Silk Scarf Interior
By Hermès
Located in London, GB
A beautiful example of the quality and design that comes from the Hermès maison. Made of 100% sheepskin, this lush and soft long gilet also comes with a ...
Sold|$295
Size: Extra Small
New With Tags Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Extra Small
By Kenneth Cole
Located in Conroe, TX
New Kenneth Cole Beige Sateen Jacket Trench Coat Size: Extra Small Kenneth Cole Coat Brand New w/ Tags * Stunning in Beige * Sateen Overall Look and Feel * Silver and Tortoise Button...
$16,920
Size: Small- Medium or US8
Chanel 2004 Limited Edition Runway Hooded Leather Sport Biker Jacket M US8 FR 40
By Chanel
Located in Miami, FL
Rare Chanel 2004 Limited Edition CC Runway Hooded Leather Sport Biker Jacket Size: Medium, US8, FR40 As seen on runway and Victoria Beckham (with white piping) Soft black lambskin...
$1,799Sale Price|40% Off
Size: No size tag, probably IT40-42?
VERSACE Y2K Colorful Signature Medusa Print Graffiti Pants Top Ensemble Suit M
By Versace
Located in Switzerland, CH
A colorful ensemble by Versace Designed by Donatella Versace in the early 2000s Consisting of two pieces: Top and pants Signature print with the famous Versace medusa head Full lengt...