Dockers
Authentic Brands Group · United States
Dockers is an American casual wear brand launched by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1986 and best known for khaki chinos. In 2025 Levi Strauss & Co. agreed to sell it to Authentic Brands Group, which now lists Dockers in its portfolio of licensed brands.
| Launched | 1986 |
|---|---|
| Creator | Levi Strauss & Co. |
| Owner | Authentic Brands Group |
| Sale announced | May 2025, up to 311 million dollars |
| Core product | Khaki chinos |
| Segment | Casual wear |
| Website | dockers.com |
What is Dockers?
Dockers is a casual wear brand centred on khaki chino trousers, with shirts, belts, wallets, shoes and other apparel. Created inside Levi Strauss & Co., it now belongs to Authentic Brands Group, the New York brand owner that also holds Champion and other sportswear and fashion labels.
History
Levi Strauss & Co. introduced Dockers in 1986 and added a women's line in 1987. The brand rode the spread of 'casual Fridays' in American offices in the late 1980s and 1990s and appeared in television series of the period. It went global in 1992 and was introduced in Europe in 1993, later adding denim and expanding into more countries. In 2009 the company refocused the brand on khakis, and in 2010 the 'Wear the Pants' campaign ran during the Super Bowl. In May 2025 Levi Strauss & Co. announced the sale of Dockers to Authentic Brands Group in a deal worth up to 311 million dollars, part of its strategy to concentrate on the Levi's brand.
Products and positioning
Dockers is a mid-market brand for smart casual dress. Its core remains chinos in a range of fits, supported by shirts, outerwear and accessories. The brand is closely associated with the rise of business casual dress codes.
Business model and distribution
Under Levi Strauss & Co., Dockers was sold mainly through department stores, wholesale partners and online. Authentic Brands Group generally operates an asset-light model in which licensees and operating partners handle design, sourcing and distribution, while the brand owner manages the intellectual property and marketing.
Why it matters
Dockers helped define the khaki and business casual category. Its sale reflects a wider trend in which listed apparel groups divest secondary brands to licensing platforms such as Authentic Brands Group.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Dockers?
Dockers is owned by Authentic Brands Group, which lists it in its brand portfolio. Levi Strauss & Co. announced the sale in May 2025 in a deal valued at up to 311 million dollars.
Is Dockers still part of Levi's?
No. Dockers was created by Levi Strauss & Co. in 1986 but was sold to Authentic Brands Group following an agreement announced in 2025.