How to Identify & Date Vintage Clothing Labels

So you're at the thrift sifting through the racks, how do you know what pieces are valuable authentic vintage and what pieces are modern clothing? How do you determine the age of the piece? Is it vintage? Antique? Fast fashion? To no surprise, it's all in the tag. Identifying genuine vintage clothing labels require a keen eye and knowledge of subtle details that distinguish them from modern replicas. We've put together a comprehensive guide of all the tricks we use to navigate the world of vintage labels. 

1. Fabric and Appearance of the Tag

Authentic vintage clothing often features tags made from sturdy materials like woven fabric with embroidered logos, in which case you can see the threading n the back. Modern tags, in contrast, are typically thin and may even be printed directly onto the garment. Here is an example of a piece where you can see the woven fabric of the tag, vs the printed labels you will see on newer clothing. This is the easiest way to identify vintage clothing at a glance. The look of the tag really says it all, just ask yourself, does this look vintage?

2. Country of Manufacture 

It's no coincidence that older products were predominantly manufactured in the USA or Mexico, although production also occurred in countries like Bangladesh, Thailand, or Indonesia. Today, finding modern clothes made in the USA or Mexico is uncommon due to higher manufacturing costs compared to the significantly lower expenses in other regions. Check out these two vintage pieces manufactured in the USA & Mexico: 

3. Woolmarks 

To assist shoppers in selecting wool clothing, the Woolmark logo was introduced in 1964 to promote wool over acrylic and polyester. Here's how to interpret vintage clothing labels using the Woolmark logo:

• Garments without a wool label: Likely pre-1939
• First Woolmark logo (indicating 100% wool): Made after 1964
• Woolmark Blend logo (indicating 60% wool): Made before 1971
• Wool Blend logo (indicating 50% wool): Made before 1999

Lydia do you have a wool mark photo?

5. RN Numbers RN (Registered Identification Number) numbers can provide insights into the age of the garment:

• 5-digit RN numbers are typically from the 1960s-1970s.
• 6-digit RN numbers indicate garments from the 1980s onwards.
• Garments with fewer digits are likely much older, reflecting early 20th-century manufacturing practices. Utilize online RN calculators online to decode these numbers accurately. 

Here is an example of an RN # on a tag, this one is 5 digits long, meaning it's likely from the 1960s-1970s: 

6. Union Made Items: 

7. Using Fashion Guilde for Research: 

Vintage tags not only help identify clothing authenticity but also prompt further exploration. It's a joyful experience to wear a garment you know has a story behind it. Embracing secondhand shopping combats fast fashion, and clothing passed down through generations offer glimpses into the past through their labels.