Eddie Bauer
United States
Eddie Bauer is a US outdoor and casual apparel brand founded in 1920 in Seattle by Eddie Bauer. According to Wikipedia, the operating company filed for Chapter 11 in February 2026 and its North American stores closed by 30 April 2026.
| Founded | 1920 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Eddie Bauer |
| Origin | Seattle, Washington, United States |
| Status | Chapter 11 filing by Eddie Bauer LLC, 9 February 2026 |
| Segment | Mass market and fast fashion |
| Website | eddiebauer.com |
What is Eddie Bauer?
Eddie Bauer is an American brand of clothing, sportswear and outdoor gear, best known for outerwear. It was founded in 1920 in Seattle, Washington, by the outdoorsman Eddie Bauer (1899 to 1986).
History
Bauer patented the first quilted goose-down jacket in the US in 1940 and developed the B-9 Flight Parka for the US Army Air Corps in 1942. He also patented a standardised shuttlecock in 1934. The company outfitted several mountaineering expeditions, including the 1963 American Everest expedition. Over time it has been owned by General Mills, Spiegel, Golden Gate Capital and Authentic Brands Group with SPARC Group, among others.
Recent developments
Wikipedia reports that Eddie Bauer LLC filed for Chapter 11 on 9 February 2026 and that its North American stores had closed by 30 April 2026 after a failed sale effort. Manufacturing, e-commerce and wholesale were expected to continue, and the licensee was to transfer to Eddie Bauer Outdoor 5, LLC, with O5 Group named as owner. This situation is recent and ownership has not been independently verified, so no parent group is stated here.
Products and positioning
The range covers clothing, sportswear and outdoor gear, especially outerwear. The brand has also been licensed for eyewear, furniture and bicycles, and Eddie Bauer editions of Ford SUVs and trucks ran until the 2010 model year.
Business model and distribution
- Stores: retail stores, now closed in North America according to the source.
- Online and wholesale: e-commerce and wholesale were expected to continue.
- Licensing: category and product licences extend the name beyond apparel.
Why it matters
Eddie Bauer is one of the oldest US outdoor brands, and its 2026 restructuring shows the pressure on store-based mid-market apparel and on brands passed between multiple owners.
Frequently asked questions
Who owns Eddie Bauer?
Ownership has changed several times, including General Mills, Spiegel, Golden Gate Capital and Authentic Brands Group with SPARC Group. After a February 2026 Chapter 11 filing, the source names O5 Group as owner, but this has not been independently verified.
Where is Eddie Bauer from?
Eddie Bauer is from the United States. It was founded in 1920 in Seattle, Washington.