The partners disagreed as to the direction the company should take, and so Abercrombie sold his part of it to Fitch in 1907. Fitch greatly expanded the scope of the store, adding a large mail order catalog, and giving the store itself an outdoorsey feel, with even a campfire blazing. In 1913, Fitch moved again, this time near the fashion center of Fifth Avenue, and he began to carry a line of women's sports clothing.

Fitch retired in 1928, but the company continued to thrive. They were probably the largest sporting goods store in the world. In the 1950s, new stores were opened in San Francisco and Chicago, with several seasonal stores in resort areas. But by the late 60s the business was in financial trouble, and bankruptsy was declared in 1977. It was acquired by Oshman's, another sports store.

The big change came in 1988, when Abercrombie and Fitch was bought by The Limited. They set out to change the company to a Mall chain, with a target market of teenagers and college students. The concept was successful, and stores were opened all over the country. The Limited sold off their interest in the late 90s. Since then, the company has been known for their sexy catalogs and store environments.

from a pair of late 1920s or 1930s hiking books
Courtesy of poppysvintageclothing 

from a 1940s woman's suit
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1950s Nordic sweater
Courtesy of novafashions


from a 1960s safari jacket
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1960s mod sweater
Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

from a late 1980s skirt
Courtesy of vintagegent.com

from an early 2000s shirt
Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com