Just trying to see if your garment is vintage without too much care in decade? Here are some instructions to identify if something may be vintage overall. For a more in-depth look at dating by decade, check out the rest of the information I have on-site.
In summary:
- Check the style, does it look vintage?
- Check the labels, do they seem vintage?
- Check for websites, has the brand been active in the past?
- Check with a professional, do they think it's vintage?
Does the garment look like something produced today? This is especially easy if you are someone who may have grown up in an era considered vintage. Compare your garment to pictures of clothes from previous decades. Next, does it feel like something produced today? Modern fabrics and materials might feel more familiar to you. Vintage materials tend to feel heavy or more coarse. Then, do the zippers and closures look like something produced today? Oftentimes, you won't see metal zippers or snap closures anymore. If it's vintage, the closures might be a little rusted. Most importantly, does it have a date? Some garments have the date listed.
2. Look at labels
Do the labels look like labels produced today? If the label includes a website, it’s probably not vintage. Does the garment include a care label? Care labels didn’t become widely used until the mid ’70s. Was it made in the U.S., Hawaii, or California? It might be vintage. Does it include a union tag?
3. Search for sites
Try looking up the brand if possible. Check to see when the brand began making clothes or search “brand name vintage” and see if anyone else on the web has found vintage items from this brand.
4. Ask an antiquer
If all else fails and your garment has no label, it’s best to ask for a second opinion. Go to a local vintage store or post online in a vintage clothing forum, vintage enthusiasts are usually glad to help out.