1. Dating Vintage Clothing
1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980
Zipper 63
5030Zippers were “too vulger” for women’s clothing Metal zipper, concealed, likely
on side seam, used on sleeves;
the few plastic zippers used had
large individual teeth
Metal zipper.
Usually on mid back
by mid 50s
Use of plastic zippers prevalent. By
70s almost exclusively on mid back.
Union Label 36 55 63
74ILGWU AFL ILGWU
CIO
ILGWU
AFL
“Made under the standards of I.L.G.W.U.”
Will not say “AFL-CIO”
40 ILGWU
AFL-CIO (1)
Large ILGWU crest
behind AFL-CIO
ILGWU
AFL-CIO (2)
(Solid Crest,
‘63-’64 no R)
ILGWU
AFL-CIO (3)
(Red, white & blue)
64
Silhouette
Buttons 605030 Bakelite
Rub Formula 409 on with q-tip.
Q-tip will turn yellow if Bakelite.
Lucite
Often clear. No
smell when
heat tested.
Cheaper plastic alternatives become
more common through the 60s.
Rare in 70s+. Trendy in today’s pieces.
Other Labels 60 Fabric content
labels become
mandatory
71 Clothing care
labels become
mandatory
Designer labels are more likely to be woven. Starting in the 60s printed labels become more common.
Search US Government’s TESS to see when manufacturer name was in use.
Seams 6050Unfinished raw seams: Home seamstresses did not always have finishing tools.
French seams: Seams are folded under to fully conceal the fabric’s raw edges.
Pinked:
Seams have
scalloped
edges
Serged: An overocking stitch, forms
a zig zag patern on the fabric edge.
Fabric Type 70
50 Nylon used in clothing.
Dacron (name for polyestor)
“Polyestor” name used
24 Rayon used in light dresses.
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Usually feature a union crest with shaking hands.
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