What an old label can tell you

Look beyond the logo

Typefaces, fibre terminology, union marks, care symbols and country-of-origin wording all help place a garment in context. None should be used alone as definitive proof of age.

A missing label does not make a piece less worthy. Handmade and altered garments often carry the most interesting construction details.

Read the fibre content carefully

Fibre names tell us how a garment may feel and behave, but blended fabrics were common throughout the twentieth century. Early synthetics can have exceptional drape and durability.

Care instructions should be treated as a starting point. Age, trims, linings and previous alterations may call for gentler handling than the original label suggests.

Let construction confirm the story

Seams, zips, fastenings, hems and finishing techniques should support the date suggested by a label. We look at the garment as a whole before describing an era.