Determining the Age of Vintage Treasures (Part 2)

I'm glad you all enjoyed my recent post about determining the age of a vintage garment!
So last week, I explained that the easiest way to estimate the age of a garment is to look at its label. That truth extends here. But now we're looking at a very specific sort of label. It is the mark of the International Ladies Garment Workers' Union (ILGWU), which was formed in 1900.

Their emblem has changed over their years of operation, so it's possible to look at the labels and correlate them to their years. This first photo is of the label inside a petticoat of mine that was made in the 1950s. Unfortunately that is the earliest label I have, but you can find more photos here.

This is a dainty little blouse of mine that was made in the 1970s. Note that this label also includes the RN. (Click here to catch up on what an RN is.) Handy, isn't it?

And this label belongs to a wool skirt made in the 1980s.

Though you won't find this sort of label in all vintage clothing, at least now you can recognize it when you come across it.

Also, I would like to clarify that the things I have been discussing really only relate to US garments. I'm not very familiar with vintage from other countries. If you know anything about those, I'd be thrilled if you would do a guest post! Send me an email: rachelmarie@thequirkypoet.com

To see more photos and read more about the history of the ILGWU click here.
If you didn't catch last week's post, click here.
And be sure to come back next week for the final(?) installment.

Determining the Age of Vintage Treasures

You've probably noticed that I'm obsessed with vintage. Not only do I love vintage for its uniqueness, but also because clothing holds history in the fibers of its fabric. Current events always influence the appearance of our clothing, so by looking at vintage we can learn about our history. 

When I buy vintage, part of the thrill is to be able to research the garment and find out when it came into existence. There isn't much information on the internet about determining the age of a vintage garment, so I thought I'd share with you what knowledge I've gleaned from my researching. It's not very much, and I'm always learning new things, but I'll still break it into three posts. Because this is a blog and not a novel.

(This Brunny sweater vest was made in the 1960s.)

One of the fastest ways to estimate the age of a garment is to look at its label. Garments made after 1959 usually have assigned numbers printed on their labels. The very first number in the sequence is 13670, and these numbers are called registration numbers (RN's).When a clothing company is birthed, it is assigned one of these numbers. 

(This Judy's circle skirt was made in the 1980s.)

Because the numbers are assigned only when the company is created, it does not determine the exact manufacture date of a garment. But it does give a good reference point. For instance, if you think an article of clothing was made in the 1930s, but it has an RN, you know right away that your first assumption was incorrect. So while it doesn't give a definitive answer, it does point you in the right direction. More research should be done once you know the RN and its issue date.

(This Charlotte Russe jean skirt was made in the late 2000s.)

To learn more about RNs and the formula for calculating an RN's approximate issue date click here.

And be sure to come back next week for part two!

Why I Love Vintage

To some, vintage is just nasty, used, outdated clothing. But what’s the difference between wearing a garment that’s thirty years old and wearing a piece of clothing you purchased from Target after dozens of people have tried it on in the dressing room? If you’re so afraid of cooties, toss it into the wash, take it to the cleaners, or remain a germophobe and leave all the pretty treasures for me.

(original post)

Five reasons I love wearing vintage:

1. Uniqueness. Wearing vintage clothing means wearing pieces that are no longer sold in large quantities. You’re less likely to bump into someone on the street who is wearing the same outfit. 

(original post)

2. Recycling. Upcycling. Whatever you want to call it. Wearing vintage means you’re lengthening the lifespan of a garment rather than exiling it to the trash can and later, the landfill. 

(original post)

3. History. When I buy a piece of vintage, part of the thrill is to be able to research its origin. Learning where a piece came from gives me pride in my wardrobe. It makes my clothes special. It gives them meaning. (More about determining the age of a garment next week.)

(original post)

4. Modern trends suck. And keeping up with them is a wearisome task.

Also, though sweatpants are very comfortable, wearing them in public is not attractive. I repeat: not attractive. 

(original post)

5. Creativity. Vintage clothing has a way of inspiring the mind. When I wear a piece from 1950, I can picture that time period in my mind and wonder what the woman who first wore the piece felt like when she wore it. 

How do you feel about wearing vintage?