When did fabric content first appear on labels?

Aphrodite_Nymphia

Aphrodite_Nymphia

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Hi everyone, I know this question may have been asked before, indeed I am sure I once had information on it somewhere, but does anyone know when labels began to list fabric content. I have a Figurettes bra that appears to be late 50s/early 60s, but the label lists the fabric content and it is throwing me off a little bit. Thanks.

Emma.
 
The label looks newer than 50s/60s to me - actually it looks more contemporary. Polyester was around in the 50s but it wasn't as common in lingerie - Dacron was a more popular derivative at the time and "exclusive of decoration" I really haven't seen on old labels.. I have had some of the early 80s and mid to late 70s bras that "lift and separate" that fooled me into thinking they were older silhouette-wise as they were a bit pointy. I know Figurette was around in the 70s for sure. I don't know about anything earlier with them, but i do know that some of their bras even later than that had the uplifted/pointier/seperated look versus what is high fashion these days . I think they folded just a few years ago

Oh..and garment content I think were mandatory starting in the 60s but before that makers sometimes voluntarily included it - but not all. So early 60s would be your earliest possible date, but the label seems newer than that to me, and considering Figurette didn't carry rapidly changing cutting edge styles
 
Thanks I definately thought from the label that it could be a lot more contemporary, indeed I have seen some Figurette bras still listed on online retail stores. There is something about it that suggests that it is not as recent as 2000s, but come to think of it it did come with a lot of 1980s items. I will go back and have another look at it.

Emma.
 
Emma, I agree that your bra is modern. Many lingerie styles of the last 30-40 years reproduce earlier styles, and as someone who prefers vintage styling but likes her bras with modern technology, I like it that way.

Nicole
 
In answer to your question, I've seen fabric content on garment labels as old as the '30s but it wasn't common until the '60s because earlier most of the information was provided on a swing tag that came with the garment and was then removed. I don't think it was made a legal requirement until the '70s (this may vary depending on local laws).

Nicole
 
I think care labels were a legal requirement in the 70s and content was earlier, but it could definitely have been different as far as when that was put in place in Australia. But I get easily confused..
 
As far as I know in the UK, care labels were first introduced in the mid 1960’s but only became widely used in the mid 1970's. The Pure New Wool symbol was also introduced in the 1970's. Probably not that relevant if you're in the USA but good to know anyway. :)
 
This is from our VFG website under "Quick Tips" -

Garment Care labels began in 1971 in the USA. The current labels were introduced in 1983.

International care symbols were developed 1971.

The USA Textile Products Identifications Act, 1960 mandated the use of fabric content labels.

If you haven't already explored the VFG website - there is a wealth of knowledge there!

Linn
 
In the US the ruling for permanent care labels went into effect on July 3, 1972.

Before this some manufacturers included hang tags with care instructions and a handful used sewn in labels but it was not mandatory.

fiber content labels were also sometimes used before it was mandatory especially in lingerie. I have seen silk labels in garments from as early as the 1920s.

Having said all that your label does look fairly recent...ditto what patentleathershoes said...

Melody
 
Thanks everyone this is all great information and thanks Linn for pointing out where it is on the VFG website, I knew it was here somewhere.


Emma.
 
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