VINTAGE of YORE

 

 

 

 

                          How to Date/Buy  Vintage Clothing

 

 

The different clothing labels contain a lot of information. Some, like the RN#, can be helpful in determining the age of a garment. You can also identify the maker or importer of the garment. RN #s may be printed on the care label, or on the maker name label. Caution: The RN# issue date does not give the manufacture date of the garment.

 

What is the RN #?
A registered identification number or RN is a number issued by the Federal Trade Commission, upon request, to a business residing in the U.S. that is engaged in the manufacture, importing, distribution, or sale of textile, wool, or fur products. Such businesses are not required to have RNs. They may, however, use the RN in place of a name on the label or tag that is required to be affixed to these products.
www.ftc.gov

History
WPL numbers were issued from 1941 through 1959 under the Wool Products Labeling Act. WPL numbers begin at 00101 and end at 13669. All numbers issued subsequently are RN numbers.

 

RN numbers were issued under the Fur Products Labeling Act from 1952 through 1959. These numbers start at 00101 and continue to 04086. Beginning in 1959, all numbers issued are RN under the combined act and commence with 13670. The final number contained in this edition is 112208. Complete rules and regulations under the Wool Act,Fur Act, and the Textile Fiber Products Identification Act can be obtained by writing to Textile Section, Division of Enforcement, Federal Trade Commission, 600 Pennsylvania Avenue. NW, Washington, D.C. 20580.
RN and WPL Encyclopedia

RN Database
Once you find the RN #, you can look it up on the RN database. The database started August 6, 1998, and that is the default issue date given to all existing RN #s at that time. If you look up the RN # and see an issue date of August 6, 1998, the number was actually issued earlier. Expired numbers were not entered into the database. This is a link to the database:

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/TextileRN/wrnquery$.startup

You can enter the RN #, or WPL #, and a search will bring up the company that has that number. This is very helpful if you have the RN # and no maker tag. If the company is in the database, you can find out who made or imported the garment. Some older numbers may not appear in the database if they were not current when the database was created.

If you have a maker tag, and you are trying to determine how old the garment is, but you don't have the RN #, you can enter the company name into the database, and, if the company has a number, it will come up with the company name and address.

How to Estimate the RN # Issue Date
Since the database doesn't have the actual issue dates for the numbers before August 6, 1998, how do we determine approximately when the number was issued?

 

 

This works only for the numbers issued since 1959. It was determined that an average of 2635 numbers have been issued a year.

 

 

 

These RN numbers begin at 00101 and end at 04086. Begining in

 

1959, WPL numbers were no longer used and only RN numbers

 

were issued. The first RN number  in this series in 1959 was

 

13670.  Now it is extimated that an average of 2,635 numbers were

 

issued each year by the FTC. There, with a little basic mathe you

 

can figure out the RN issued date.

 

 

The formula is your clothing label has a RN number that is 16627.

 

You would subtract 13670 ( the 1st number) from 16627 ( our RN)

 

then divid it by 2,635 ( average issued numbers each year).

 

 

 

 

 

16627-13670=2,957/2,635=1.12

 

 

1.12            This item was made in 1960

 

 

 

What Does the Estimated Year of Issue Tell You?
This is NOT the date the garment was made.  It is the earliest date the garment could have been made. It is not the date the garment was made because companies may keep the same RN # as long as they are in business. It is helpful if you have something you think may have been made in either the 1960s or the 1980s. If the RN # was issued in the 80s, you can rule out the earlier dates. If it was issued in the 60s, you will need to use other means to determine a date for the garment.

NOTE: If something has an RN # of 13670 or higher, it cannot be older than 1959.

 

 

 

Vintage is in vogue. Everyone seems to want antique apparel. How can shoppers find ideal items to meet this fashion trend?

1) Know what you want. Seeking items from a particular era? Do you need everyday or elegant apparel? Plan your focus before you enter the vintage stores, and have your questions ready for their helpful sales staff.

2) Consider your purposes. Are you collecting genuine antique pieces, or do you simply need costuming for a special event?

3) Consider reproductions. Often, newer recreations of older fashions may be found at a fraction of the cost of a true period piece. In addition, all of the major sewing pattern companies offer vintage patterns, from biblical costuming to Victorian gowns, and from Civil War uniforms to prairie pinafores.

4) Be able to recognize quality fabrics and materials. These contribute to an item's enduring value.

5) Understand commonly used terminology for vintage items:

 

Mint: A vintage garment is in mint condition, if it is spotless and just-like-new. Mint items may have never been worn; they still bear garment tags.

 

Near Mint: Such items are in nearly-new condition. They may have been worn once. A prom dress, wedding gown, or debutante dress may be near mint.

 

Excellent Condition: These clothes have been worn, but they are still quite lovely. No buttons are missing, no seams are tearing, no stains are present, and the item is clean and neat.

 

Very Good Condition: This apparel is still presentable, although it may have small stains, a missing button or belt, or a tiny snag or tear.

 

Good Condition: These garments may need repairs, but they may still be wearable. The fabric may show signs of wear-and-tear.

 

As is: This item contains significant defects, damage, or other disappointments. It may be suitable for a costume or to round out a collection, but it is unlikely to be salvageable for wearing.

 

 

SHOPPING TIPS:

1) Try on all vintage garments before purchasing. Reject any items that fit too snugly, as older seams may rip much easier than those in new garments. Antique fabrics are not nearly as strong as their modern counterparts.

2) Retain all receipts for valuable garments. If your clothing is damaged, as by a dry cleaner, you will need to prove its worth.

3) Be careful about touching the fabric too much. Avoid tugging on antique clothing, and be sure to wipe your hands on something else! Try not to bump into anything dirty, and make every effort not to spill on yourself!

4) If you must pin the garment with jewelry or safety pins, be careful to stick the pins through the fabric weave and not into the fibers. Try to anchor pins to a seam or to lingerie straps, so the older fabrics need not bear the full weight of the pin.

5) Remove vintage clothing carefully. Unzip zippers completely, and undo all fasteners. Hang worn items inside-out to dry them and air them out. Do not toss antique clothing in your laundry basket!

 

 

 

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