Hi! I’m new to the forums. I bought this adorable mini dress today. I’m having difficulty researching the label. I believe it’s Canadian. Any info ?

[Unionlabelvintage]

 

[Jen S]

Fantastic print and colorway! It looks late 60s to me. There are multiple examples of this brand for sale online, but I don’t know anything about it. This label looks earlier than the ones that say “naturally.” Nice find.

 

[Shusteroo]

Hello and welcome! Cute dress - I love the funky print. To me the label looks fairly modern, and my initial thought was it's a 90s/Y2k retro 60s style, rather than a true vintage 60s dress.

I think you could be right on Canada. I've found a very similar label to yours, in fact it's basically the same - in yellow with the design of a woman - but it also has a CA number 00876. The dress is for sale on Etsy as a 1970s dress, however when I searched the CN database, that CA number on the label was registered in Toronto on 25/09/1997. Therefore the earliest the dress on Etsy can be is 1997, and it may well be Y2k or later.

Your dress doesn't have the CN number, so that could mean it is a little earlier than 97, but it could be that it just wasn't sold in Canada and didn't need the CA number. Are there any care or other labels? They could help with further dating. Hopefully others may know more.

 

[plousia]

Hello and welcome! Cute dress - I love the funky print. To me the label looks fairly modern, and my initial thought was it's a 90s/Y2k retro 60s style, rather than a true vintage 60s dress.

I think you could be right on Canada. I've found a very similar label to yours, in fact it's basically the same - in yellow with the design of a woman - but it also has a CA number 00876. The dress is for sale on Etsy as a 1970s dress, however when I searched the CN database, that CA number on the label was registered in Toronto on 25/09/1997. Therefore the earliest the dress on Etsy can be is 1997, and it may well be Y2k or later.

Your dress doesn't have the CN number, so that could mean it is a little earlier than 97, but it could be that it just wasn't sold in Canada and didn't need the CA number. Are there any care or other labels? They could help with further dating. Hopefully others may know more.

Most CA numbers have that 1997 date because that's when the registry was digitized and apparently the companies would have to contact the registry to correct the date and most didn't bother (based on information Jonathan has posted in these forums).

 

[Shusteroo]

Most CA numbers have that 1997 date because that's when the registry was digitized and apparently the companies would have to contact the registry to correct the date and most didn't bother (based on information Jonathan has posted in these forums).

Thanks, I didn't know that. I'm not as familiar with CA numbers, so that's useful to know... and will explain why, when I tried a few numbers (as I couldn't quite read a label I initially found on instagram), the different variations I tried were all 1997!

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

Fantastic print and colorway! It looks late 60s to me. There are multiple examples of this brand for sale online, but I don’t know anything about it. This label looks earlier than the ones that say “naturally.” Nice find.

Thanks Jen. I should also point out that it looks to be handmade. I also believe it’s from the 1960s.

 

[Jen S]

The label certainly doesn’t look 90s to me, though it’s certainly possible it’s “fauxld.” (Fake old!) But, with a label like that, I don’t believe it could be handmade. Why don’t you show us some pictures of the interior construction, that will help date it.

 

[BlackLotusVintage]

There are several online with your label, looks late 60's to me as Jen said.
Credit to the sellers of these items, they are not mine-

Vtg 60s 70s Psychedelic Op Art Abstract Polyester Collared Micro Mini Dress SM

Shop stephaniesmash's closet or find the perfect look from millions of stylists. Fast shipping and buyer protection. Vintage late 60s early 70s stretch knit polyester Op Art psychedelic novelty print sleeveless collared zip front micro mini dress. White stretch knit polyester with a blue and red...

poshmark.com

https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintage-Hobnobber-Floral-High-Neck-Long-Sleeve-Maxi-Dress-M-675f56456da06ebb727b2457

And what one of their other labels looks like-

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

There are several online with your label, looks late 60's to me as Jen said.
Credit to the sellers of these items, they are not mine-

Vtg 60s 70s Psychedelic Op Art Abstract Polyester Collared Micro Mini Dress SM

Shop stephaniesmash's closet or find the perfect look from millions of stylists. Fast shipping and buyer protection. Vintage late 60s early 70s stretch knit polyester Op Art psychedelic novelty print sleeveless collared zip front micro mini dress. White stretch knit polyester with a blue and red...

poshmark.com

https://poshmark.com/listing/Vintage-Hobnobber-Floral-High-Neck-Long-Sleeve-Maxi-Dress-M-675f56456da06ebb727b2457

And what one of their other labels looks like-
View attachment 198034

Thanks so much . I have to work on my searching skills

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

The label certainly doesn’t look 90s to me, though it’s certainly possible it’s “fauxld.” (Fake old!) But, with a label like that, I don’t believe it could be handmade. Why don’t you show us some pictures of the interior construction, that will help date it.

 

[Jen S]

Thanks. I’m sticking with late 60s. The hem does look hand-done. I think sometimes you see that in older commercial garments though it’s always possible someone shortened it. In dating the zipper can often be informative: if you show the zipper and the pull tab that can help as well. Also look for shaping darts in the bust or on longer sleeves. A full picture of the garment turned inside out can also be useful.

 

[poppysvintageclothing]

I see late 60s as well. It may have started off as a maxi dress that was shortened. Does the hemline look original?

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

View attachment 198047

If you click on the picture you can enlarge it. This is the dress turned inside out. Thanks to everyone that replied!

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

I see late 60s as well. It may have started off as a maxi dress that was shortened. Does the hemline look original?

 

[Jen S]

See those long seams on either side of the zipper? The ones that seem to terminate in a little tiny pucker? Those are shaping darts, and you don’t see them that often in garments after around the 1970s. It’s not by any means definitive proof that it’s older, but it’s a good sign that it might be. I feel pretty confident now that it’s late 60s or early 70s.

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

See those long seams on either side of the zipper? The ones that seem to terminate in a little tiny pucker? Those are shaping darts, and you don’t see them that often in garments after around the 1970s. It’s not by any means definitive proof that it’s older, but it’s a good sign that it might be. I feel pretty confident now that it’s late 60s or early 70s.

Thanks Jen!

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

I see late 60s as well. It may have started off as a maxi dress that was shortened. Does the hemline look original?

Thanks so much for your input. You have great taste.

 

[Unionlabelvintage]

See those long seams on either side of the zipper? The ones that seem to terminate in a little tiny pucker? Those are shaping darts, and you don’t see them that often in garments after around the 1970s. It’s not by any means definitive proof that it’s older, but it’s a good sign that it might be. I feel pretty confident now that it’s late 60s or early 70s.

Thanks Jen. Much appreciated