Dockers (1986 - 2025)
My God, was this my life?
On Saturday, Dec 27th, 2025, a dozen pairs of Dockers, ages 6 to 19, were peacefully laid to rest in a giant blue donation bin behind Piggly Wiggly. Dockers were a cherished part of Stephen D Forman’s wardrobe, and will be sorely missed.
Forman’s Dockers were remembered as quiet and reflective, often found folded quietly in a bureau drawer in the Chino District. What they loved most, though, were being worn. The way Dockers clung to Forman’s legs, few predicted they’d ever be seen apart.
Among the many sports these Dockers enjoyed from the couch included football, baseball, and golf, culminating in being recognized as “unofficial Dad pant of 2015.” In fact, it was Forman who nominated his Dockers for Dad Pant of the Year, though he himself is not a Dad to his knowledge.
“Designed for the office, not the gold mines,” recalled Levi Strauss & Company, reminding those of us who lived through the 80s how Dockers decimated overnight America’s gold mine clothing industry.
Ultimately, time caught up with Forman’s Dockers when they were forcibly retired from service due to the national Work From Home movement. The 93% cotton, 7% elastane pants are survived by a family of Uniqlo unisex wide sweatpants and a 3-Pack of Hanes jersey pocket shorts.
Services for Stephen D Forman’s dozen pairs of Dockers will be held at the boarded-up JC Penney’s Department Store at 108th - NE 8th St.
Haha! I poet about sequins but live in Rag and Bone miramars - sweatpants that look like jeans. My husband gave away most of his suits when he retired, and also leans into the comfort side of life✨ I don’t know Dockers. I know docksiders…
This is marvelous, Stephen. A rousing sendoff for humble, hardworking Dockers. They deserve it: the unsung heroes of middle American work life for countless late 20th century men. Thanks so much for sharing. So creative and fun.