Dating Cardigan Help

I recently bought a cardigan at an estate sale with items ranging from the 50s to 80s (maybe even some newer things too?) When I first saw it, I thought it to be from the 60s because of its label design and material/fabric label. But then on the side was a small XL tag which threw me off. So then I thought maybe this is from the 70s/80s? I've attached pictures for reference. Also another question: When did S/M/L/XL first start being in use anyways? I've tried googling it but I never could find any results.

 

Hmm. I generally associate Orlon with the '50-60s, and your cardigan does look '60s but I didn't think XL was used back then - I've only seen it since the '80s. All the same, your cardigan looks pretty '60s to me so I'll go with that.

 

Thanks! The 60s type label with the XL tag was really driving me crazy, from what I've seen before, it just didn't make sense, so I was really stumped on this one

 

Yeah it's a man's cardigan. I didn't even think about that making a difference Anyways thanks! I had no idea that XL was used back then for menswear.

 

As I said, I haven't seen it that far back - but happy to be proven correct. I'm confident that it's a '60s (mans) cardigan.

Linn, do Americans call them sweaters when they're for men?

 

Thank you: that's good to know. Here we call them jumpers if they're pullovers (is that the UK version?), I thought that was a sweater in the US, but now I know that sweater also covers cardigan. I wonder if there's a list of the regional terminations somewhere?

And Americans call our pinafores jumpers!?

 

Yes in the UK we use jumper most often for a outer top with no fastenings, for me sweater tends to mean the fruit of the loom style thick cotton workwear jumpers, as opposed to knitted items. I'd never have used 'sweater' for a cardigan here either!

Btw I would also have associated the mountain scene on the label with a men's cardigan rather than a ladies.

 

Cute label - love the 'Virgin Orlon Acrylic". I don't think there is such a thing as recycled polyester yet!

 

I call them waistcoats too, but American words have crept in a lot, especially in the internet age with ebay etc, so vest is used occasionally - although I agree with you Ruth, a vest is something you wear under your shirt (or at least that's how I've always used it). Australia is basically still a British colony in many ways but we're rapidly becoming Americanised.

 

Karin, you're right: we call a sidewalk a footpath or pavement, but we know what a sidewalk is too, so you don't have worry much. As to esky: I think they're an Aussie invention, no idea what the rest of the world makes of them! Except they're wonderful for picnics and when you go to the cricket. Wikipedia tells me that they're sometimes callled "Coolers" or as our Kiwi cousins would have it, a "Chilly Bin".

 

Haha wow so many new things to learn today! I'd always assumed S/M/L/XL started in the 80s or something, and also never really thought about things being called differently around the world. Also it didn't occur to me to associate mountains on the label with men's clothing

 

You don't call them a cool box? that's the only name for them here. You're really migrating from the colony now Nicole! ';)

 

No, haven't heard of "cool box". I guess I didn't go on too many picnics when living in the UK! They're an essential here: every home has one and metal vintage versions are much prized.

 

Love the lesson in vernacular diction on this thread!

Ruby--I caught an episode of the Dick Van Dyke show last week (first half of the 60s), and Morey Amsterdam was wearing a sweater just like this (couldn't tell what color, of course!), with trousers. Dick was in a suit and tie, with the only concession to comfort the loosened knot in his tie!