Formfit
Encyclopedia
The Formfit Company was established in 1917 with headquarters in Chicago
as a maker of women’s “foundation garments” – mainly corsets and girdles. It was one of the largest, if not the largest manufacturers of such products in the world. At their Chicago headquarters they had a building a block long and eight stories high which housed manufacturing, shipping and sales. Later they also became known for other types of lingerie, particularly bras
and briefs
.
They also had facilities in nearby Aurora, Illinois
.
In the early 1960s, Formfit merged with Rogers lingerie, to make Formfit-Rogers.
Later Formfit became owned by Jockey International
. When trying to find Formfit's homepage, one is redirected to jockey.com.
Formfit and Life Women's underwear both were brands manufactured by Jockey, International, Inc. at significantly lower prices to the consumer than the usual Jockey namesake brand underwear sold in major department stores. At one time he Form Fit (or FORMFIT) brand was sold exclusively at Target Department Stores. When Target discontinued their relationship with Jockey, they stopped making this line.
The Life brand was sold at Wal-Mart stores. Life women's underwear cleared at Jockey company owned outlet stores sometime around 2004.
An email to the company yielded a response indicating the women's line was unpopular at Wal-Mart and thus was discontinued.
Jockey Brand goes on sale once or twice a year at each major department store where the brand is sold. Major retailers include Sears, Mervyn's (California), JC Penney, and others. Jockey sells its products direct as well.
All three brands (Jockey, Life, Formfit) bear the same RN (registered identification number). This means Jockey made Life, Formit, and Jockey underwear.
The Formfit line of underwear is now being sold under the name Elance in Kohls Department Stores.
Jockey still makes Life Underwear Men's Line.
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
as a maker of women’s “foundation garments” – mainly corsets and girdles. It was one of the largest, if not the largest manufacturers of such products in the world. At their Chicago headquarters they had a building a block long and eight stories high which housed manufacturing, shipping and sales. Later they also became known for other types of lingerie, particularly bras
Brassiere
A brassiere is an undergarment that covers, supports, and elevates the breasts. Since the late 19th century, it has replaced the corset as the most widely accepted method for supporting breasts....
and briefs
Panties
Panties are a form of underwear, usually light and snug-fitting, designed to be worn by women or girls in the area directly below the waist. Typical components include an elastic waistband, a crotch panel to cover the genital area , and a pair of leg openings which, like the waistband, are often...
.
They also had facilities in nearby Aurora, Illinois
Aurora, Illinois
Aurora is the second most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois, and the 112th largest city in the United States. A suburb of Chicago, located west of the Loop, its population in 2010 was 197,899. Originally founded within Kane County, Aurora's city limits have expanded greatly over the past...
.
In the early 1960s, Formfit merged with Rogers lingerie, to make Formfit-Rogers.
Later Formfit became owned by Jockey International
Jockey International
Jockey International, Inc. is a manufacturer, distributor and retailer of underwear, sleepwear for men, women, and children. The company is based in Kenosha, Wisconsin. Jockey is known for having invented the first men's Y-Front brief in 1934. Jockey is a recognized trademark in 120...
. When trying to find Formfit's homepage, one is redirected to jockey.com.
Formfit and Life Women's underwear both were brands manufactured by Jockey, International, Inc. at significantly lower prices to the consumer than the usual Jockey namesake brand underwear sold in major department stores. At one time he Form Fit (or FORMFIT) brand was sold exclusively at Target Department Stores. When Target discontinued their relationship with Jockey, they stopped making this line.
The Life brand was sold at Wal-Mart stores. Life women's underwear cleared at Jockey company owned outlet stores sometime around 2004.
An email to the company yielded a response indicating the women's line was unpopular at Wal-Mart and thus was discontinued.
I wish we could have found more people like you. But the folks at
Wal-Mart told us that not enough people purchased our Life Women's
Intimates. Consequently, Wal-Mart stopped carrying it. And since Wal-Mart has
exclusive distribution rights over Life underwear, we had to stop
making it in January 2002. It was a fine product, and Wal-Mart's decision
was deeply disappointing to all of us.
Jockey Brand goes on sale once or twice a year at each major department store where the brand is sold. Major retailers include Sears, Mervyn's (California), JC Penney, and others. Jockey sells its products direct as well.
All three brands (Jockey, Life, Formfit) bear the same RN (registered identification number). This means Jockey made Life, Formit, and Jockey underwear.
The Formfit line of underwear is now being sold under the name Elance in Kohls Department Stores.
Jockey still makes Life Underwear Men's Line.