Page 9 - The Collector's Companion: Issue CC103

Dating with care EUROPE

1963 -

Using care labels to date vintage clothing 1984

NB: We’ve included two
wash tub symbols on JAPAN
1966 the pictures below to
help show how they’ve
changed. Labels only <2017
contain the one!

USA
1976
1993

CANADA
1980 1972 -

2002

Labels are a great way to date clothing quickly when underline (=). Also notice the introduction of new
you’re out shopping. Looking at zips and thread types symbols, first in 1976 and then the addition of the
1986 requires a fair bit of knowledge, particularly when drying symbol in 1980. In 2005 (2004 in Europe) the
symbol order was swapped to be in process order.
you’re looking at something that may have been
altered or repaired well after the time of making, but
for the most part, labels don’t lie. All it takes is a flash On this page is a selection of international care
of a Woolmark and you’ll know that piece of 1940s label systems. Most countries are now following
knitwear isn’t what it seems. International Standards (see UK 2012) with the
exception of the US & Canada who are using an ASTM
1994 Important! The dates here show when a label was system (USA 1993). From 1972-1993 the US used
introduced. For the most part they can tell you the
text-based labels, only allowing symbols to be used
earliest date your garment was produced, but not without words from 1997. I really like Canada’s traffic
necessarily the latest as a new system could take a light system where each symbol was coloured as stop,
while to be implemented by all manufacturers. be careful or go ahead.
In the UK, the first standardised symbol-based care This has been a taster of a more comprehensive
2005 system was created in 1966, evolving over the next feature on our website, which includes full sets of
labels for each system and more information about
few decades before we opted to synchronise with the
International Standards (ISO). the changes. You’ll also
find a link to our print-at-
The most obvious changes to spot in the wash home pocket-sized guide
tub symbol are the swap from wash numbers to to have handy
temperatures (with underlines where applicable) and when you go
2012 the design change to an outlined hand going straight shopping.
down into the tub. Notice the change in underline
width. The double underline (not pictured) was initially
a broken line (- -) but in 2004 changed to a double

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