Labeling Regulations? Help!

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PutsyMutsy

Registered Guest
So glad I found this site. I feel like I've found my new home :) As a life-long collector and lover of vintage dresses, I decided to change my career and do what I love (because life's too short not to ;) So I'm going to follow my passion and try selling vintage dresses online.

Question, many of my dresses don't have any label or fabric identifiers what-so-ever, or at least it's not legible...I was reading that according to federal regulations, all apparel items for sale need to have a label identifying the fibers/material used on the dress. Is this true? Even for selling unique and individual vintage pieces online? Do you have any suggestions or advice?

Most of the dresses I collect are from the 1950s-70s. Do I have to try to identify each material used on the dress? Theoretically, If I'm selling hundreds of dresses, isn't that incredibly time consuming and expensive? Anyone have a solution on how to deal with this?

Warmly,
Cindy
 
Hi Cindy I'm pretty sure that requirement is for new items, not second hand. A lot of older garments used to have this information on paper hang tags, from the 70's onward it is generally marked on a care label sewn inside the garment, though not always. (When missing from later era garments I often find it was a set, and the other garment had the material content label).
As VFG trade members we do indeed try to identify the material content of each item best we can. Sometimes it is easily recognizable by sight or touch, other times it will require a burn test. I did few recently you can see the process of here:
http://forums.vintagefashionguild.org/threads/burn-testing-fabric-id-help-please.60319/
http://forums.vintagefashionguild.o...fabric-id-on-a-caroma-gown-1930s-dress.60337/
 
I've been mulling over adding my two cents. I think it is very important for vintage dealers to have at least a rudimentary knowledge of fabrics. It really sets you apart as knowledgeable in your field. The very first thing is to learn the difference between weave and fiber. It drives me nuts to see something called silk when it is obviously polyester. Knowing fabrics is so helpful in dating. Polyester had not been invented in the 1920's! There are some good beginning references with swatches of fabric in the VFG bookstore in Amazon. Then, our own fabric resource guide by our wonderful Maggie is excellent, but you need to know a little to be able to effectively use it. Another suggestion is to go to a fabric store with a short list of questions. Seek out the oldest clerk in the store. Touching, feeling with fingers and tongue, (ask for a tiny strip sample) and smelling helps you gain confidence. I am still learning and enjoying it. Best wishes.
Marian
 
I agree wholeheartedly with Marian. In addition I would add that it is also important for a vintage dealer (or serious collector) to have some knowledge of the fashion timeline so that he or she will know the era of both the garment and the fabric/fiber in the garment. In addition to the many books available at the VFG Bookstore, it would be a good idea for vintage dealers and collectors to read the VFG Fashion-Timeline:

http://vintagefashionguild.org/fashion-timeline/

And this important "Quick Tips" guide:

http://vintagefashionguild.org/tips-tricks/quick-tips-for-dating-vintage/

Many of us have related experience. I spent many, many years as a professional (ASID) interior designer and was very interested in Period History and furnishings before I started collecting vintage fashion and jewelry.

Linn
 
Thanks Ladies for your reply. I can see that you feel very strongly about this matter and I whole-heartedly agree. I think that sellers should definitely have a discernible level of knowledge of fabrics, fibers, design, trends, influences...Slowly and surely, I hope to get there. I'm definitely open to suggestions and tips. So if you see some newbie questions or comments, please be patient and feel free to add your 2 cents.
 
Burn tests are your friend!

For me if I'm trying to buy something for myself online, I always, always want to know what the fiber is, and if the seller does not know, and will not do a burn test at least to determine natural or synthetic fiber, I will not buy. There are very few garments where you can't find an inconspicuous place to take a few threads.

Many sellers do not even know, for example, that linen is a specific fiber. When they don't know stuff like this I figure they may be making other mistakes as well.

Also, knowing about fabric really helps you to distinguish vintage from modern. It's totally worth learning about, and it's fun!
 
I am piggy backing on Jen's comment. A dealer's lack of knowledge sometimes works to a buyers advantage and the dealers loss. This doesn't work with on line buying, but when I found a vintage section in a shop with clothing on wire hangers , ARRGH, I knew the seller lacked knowledge and found real bargains like an elegant 1940's black crepe dress labeled and priced as 1970's.
Marian
 
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