When did they stop making horizontal button holes?

[themerchantsofvintage]

I picked up an Hawaii shirt today that by the colour palette and labelling I think is 70s. It has horizontal button holes. Just wondering when they stopped making horizontal button holes in clothing?

Thanks!

 

[crinolinegirl]

They still make them as I've bought new things with them on them although they aren't that common. I wish they were as I don't get boob pulling with the horizontal ones as I do with the vertical ones.

Lei

 

[hatfeathers]

I think in general it was late 60s or so, but yeah, I've still seen them later, here and there

 

[vintagepretties]

Debra, who's the maker? can you do a label shot? some of them are worth more, evidence of that last one on ebay at almost $7K.

i think PJ is really great at hawaiian shirts, maybe she can come along and offer some expertise.

von

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

Thanks, ladies!

How I wish it was like the one that went for 7K!!! There's no maker on the label, Von, it just says made in Hawaii RN 37359. It has a paper label underneath saying 100% acrylic. Oh and I just noticed on the selvedge it says Mia Design - Honolulu 100% Acrylic.

I'll get pics and post later today.

 

[worth-a-peek]

I recall a discussion years ago on the VCA board (?) about dating Hawaiian Shirts by buttonhole direction.
Don't recall the outcome.

That being said, I looked in my "The Aloha Shirt" book and they show shirts from the 30's and 40's with both horizontal and vertical button holes.
So maybe it just depended on who was making the shirt?

 

[vintagepretties]

checking that RN number on the FTC database:

Detail Information

RN Type: RN
RN Number: 37359
Legal Name: GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU INC
Company Name: GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU INC
Business Type: UNKNOWN
Address Line 1: 3075 A NIMITZ HIGHWAY
City: HONOLULU
State Code: HI
Product Line:
Issued Date: 06-AUG-1998

 

[vertugarde]

They haven't. Horizontal buttonholes are seen most commonly on tailored jackets and on formal shirts at the neck. Vertical buttonholes are generally used as closures on the centre front and centre back panels of clothing.

It might be that the shape of a mans shirt i.e. casual, not fitted, worn outside the trousers allowed for the use of horizontal rather than vertical buttonholes - like a Hawaiian shirt. Formal shirts usually have the centre band/placket for the buttonhole placement.

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

Thanks everyone!

Thanks for checking the RN # (forgot about that) - takes the guess work out. Here's a prelim pic - the oranges, yellows, browns reminded me of 70s

 

[worth-a-peek]

I'm sure most know this but just to clarify, the issue date of the RN doesn't date an item.
If I recall correctly 1998 is the earliest that will ever show as that's when the system was loaded.
Someone please correct me if I'm wrong.:icon_dante:

 

[cactusandcattails]

I believe that is right Karen, 1998 is the default date.

It can sometimes be useful to find a maker if there is no maufacturers label.

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

THX

Unfortunately no maker's label - just says made in Hawaii and the markings on the selvedge as pictured above.

 

[DeCoDiVa]

Would you be willing to post the FTC link to this database for a newbe? Many thanks.DD

Originally posted by vintagepretties
checking that RN number on the FTC database:

Detail Information :adore:

RN Type: RN
RN Number: 37359
Legal Name: GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU INC
Company Name: GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU INC
Business Type: UNKNOWN
Address Line 1: 3075 A NIMITZ HIGHWAY
City: HONOLULU
State Code: HI
Product Line:
Issued Date: 06-AUG-1998

 

[worth-a-peek]

Here ya go!

You plug in the RN or WPL number here

Guess you'll have to cut and paste it
https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/TextileRN/wrnquery$.startup

or just go here and click RN Database Search
http://www.ftc.gov/bcp/rn/index.shtml

 

[vintagepretties]

Deborah, the pocket looks matched to the print in the picture, if it does IRL, thats a bonus.

are the buttons shell?

Karen's correct, dont use it to date an item, only to discover the manufacturer.

yvonne

 

[themerchantsofvintage]

The pocket is not matched, Yvonne - good to know for the future. The buttons are silvery with an embossed basket-weave effect.

I searched GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU, but came up empty handed. Seems they are no longer in business or they changed their name. Nada on Mia design either.

Do you think this is 70s?

 

[Vintage Fashion Guilt]

The pocket is not matched, Yvonne - good to know for the future. The buttons are silvery with an embossed basket-weave effect.

I searched GARMENT FACTORY TO YOU, but came up empty handed. Seems they are no longer in business or they changed their name. Nada on Mia design either.

Do you think this is 70s?

I have no idea of the vintage of that shirt, but I have one with the same RN that is completely different save for the buttons. Any ideas of era on this one? thanks.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

Ask Trade Member Dale. He literally wrote the book on Hawaiian shirts : ).

Here's a fairly reliable formula for using RN# to determine date (although if an early WPN#, used 1949-51, numbered 00101-> 13669, was swapped for an RN#, that complicates matters):

First RN# was 13670, issued 1959
~ 2635 numbers have been issued per year, whether used or not

THUS:
x (your RN#) - 13670 =
y / 2635 =
# of years + 1959 ---> earliest your garment can be

Checking against known manufacturing dates has shown this formula to be fairly reliable.

 

[Better Dresses Vintage]

direct link to RN search:

https://rn.ftc.gov/pls/textilern/wrnquery$.startup