Dating Vintage Clothing

1900 1910 1920 1930 1940 1950 1960 1970 1980

Zipper 635030Zippers 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. By70s almost exclusively on mid back.

Union Label 36 55 63 74ILGWU AFL ILGWU CIO

ILGWUAFL

“Made under the standards of I.L.G.W.U.”Will not say “AFL-CIO”

40 ILGWUAFL-CIO (1)

Large ILGWU crest behind AFL-CIO

ILGWUAFL-CIO (2)(Solid Crest,‘63-’64 no R)

ILGWUAFL-CIO (3)

(Red, white & blue)

64

Silhouette

Buttons 605030 BakeliteRub Formula 409 on with q-tip. Q-tip will turn yellow if Bakelite.

LuciteOften 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 6050Unfinished 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 7050 Nylon used in clothing. Dacron (name for polyestor)

“Polyestor” name used24 Rayon used in light dresses.

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Usually feature a union crest with shaking hands.

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