How To Use RN Numbers To Determine Vintage Clothing Age

[@thephantomroland]

I got this super clean jacket from a vintage store, came out to 1979!

[@RnR-Rebel]

Thank you, this is fab for those “70s does 30s” etc... items that can get confusing! Cheers! Jet 🧡🎸🎶⚡️

[@jenaeyaniger4580]

Something that has a low RN number does not necessarily make it older. Using this method can possibly give you the earliest average date that that an RN number was issued to the company. It is imperative to use more practical dating tools to support the date; construction methods, fabrics, label information etc... There’s many calculators like this out there but they all use different averages other than 2635 when dividing to solve for “y.” Labels are one of the biggest identifiers!

[@magyar5615]

Thank you for sharing this, worked very well to narrow down something that looked the early 90s to something that was actually made in the 1980s!!! Awesome research, information, and the equation is much appreciated!!!

[@RachelHansonMusic1]

Y’all remember this is NOT when the article of clothing was made, this is when the RN number was first registered. If a company first registered in 1972, it is still possible your shirt was made in 1995. This only gives a starting point.

[@jgireby]

This RN number you refer to, is that located on the Union Label?

[@TMeyer-ge5pj]

Thank you! I was beginning to think that the whole equation was not correct at all

[@joshgilmore5924]

How do I figure out when they were made then?

[@deborahlarive7711]

If what you say it true then all RN# would be the same on all garments from that company. I for one have not found that to be the case.

[@leannj2008]

Great information, Tim!! As always, you are a wealth of knowledge. Thank you for sharing.

[@TheCoolmom09]

I’m so happy! Helps a lot for my vintage clothing that I am selling!!

[@sarahs1719]

Thanks! Worked perfectly with a Cedars Embellished Blouse I was told 80's. Using this equation it came out to 1980! Thanks!! 🌞

[@mabelellen]

Great Info!! Thanks for this video!

[@noelleelizabeth9991]

A handful of brands do say on one of the tags when the item was made, you really have to look for it though.

[@samuelpalma9781]

thank you!!!

[@lexisharp2622]

Great information, thanks for sharing this!

[@sheahenson4930]

Dividing average (2635) would totally skew the result - 1972 and 2002 is a huge difference

[@hypatonic]

yes, using this math i ended up with 1981, but the brand its from didnt start until 2004!

[@emilydarling6716]

What a fantastic method!!

[@GiddingJayne]

Thanks. You are my hero

[@cruikshank]

Thank You

[@Jordan_TheNinja]

What about an “Imperial Guard II” shirt. The RN was calculated to start about 1960

[@online6348]

Hello thx for this video. Do you think this same equation can be used for the 5 digit CA number, clothing made in canada?

[@somebodywatchin]

How interesting!

[@ltdan8671]

Does anybody know how long an RN # can be used, or typically is printed on the tags? This is my main confusion about this method. Because that method only gives an approximation of when the RN # was issued, not when that particular clothing item was made. As far as I can tell, it will only tell you the earliest that piece of clothing could have been made. Am I right?

[@seagulls_after_me6913]

Yeah

[@seagulls_after_me6913]

This didn’t work for me my shirt doesn’t have a care label meaning that it was made before 1971. But after using his RN# method, I got 1981 as the date? this doesn’t work

[@ltdan8671]

@@seagulls_after_me6913 Hmm.. Well, I've been selling vintage clothing on the side for almost a year now. I posted this around the time I got into it. I don't bother looking at RN anymore to be honest, but have gotten better at recognizing style of tags relative to the style of clothing, fabric, size, etc. I'd be curious to see what it is you have. It's always a possibility that tags can be removed. I don't think any of this is ever a guarantee to date a piece of clothing, but the combination of things can give a decent idea sometimes.. I mostly deal with made in USA vintage...

[@tamarathorsen]

@@seagulls_after_me6913 maybe care label got cut off?

[@pamelakersten1032]

My RN number is RN 11493. Doesn't work.

[@yesmenu]

I tried using it for some oldish clothes (my guess was late 80s-90s), it gave me 1970. Considering the style, that seemed unlikely. I then tried it on some newer clothes definitely from 2010 or later and I got 1977. I double and triple checked my math. This is very misleading info. Does it only work for clothes prior to a certain date?

[@rosemarygonzales7563]

This only for when the business registered for an rn number which is a one time thing. This does not date the actual clothing.

[@heckstreasures4984]

The data is correct. As stated in the video, this information can be used to verify the oldest an item COULD be, not how old it actually is... It allows you to rule out any year prior to the year you get doing the math.

[@yegwear6881]

Tried this with a screen stars t shirt (RN 13765) and it says 1959? Am I doing the equation wrong? The t shirt I have is from the 90’s. Screen stars wasn’t a company until the later 60’s i thought.

[@seagulls_after_me6913]

Yeah this method doesn’t work

[@brendaa6305]

Yeah doesn't work. I tried this with a shirt I bought at the mall in 92 or 93. This method gave me a date of 1971, lol

[@allierich4385]

Great info! Who knew?!

[@sublimevintage]

What is the 1959 factor?

[@fortunazee]

Does the rn# determine the year the garment was made or the year the manufacturer was established?

[@npbsstuff]

Established...or it could be when they applied for the RN.

[@fortunazee]

@@npbsstuff How do I find out when a garment was made?

[@matina12]

Does it work the same with ca number (canadian)

[@heckstreasures4984]

It does not, as the CA number has a different date range and average issued per year difference as well

[@sarahs1719]

I have an incredible wool sweater with two labels. . . First label reads, "Made in France expressly for Jordan Marsh Company BOSTON. (Gold writing) Second label says in all blue: MADE in FRANCE W P L 9363 Looks like old typewriter print on third line ALL WOOL Sweater is in pristine condition! Any help would be greatly appreciated! I'm located in Boston. Thanks!🌞

[@npbsstuff]

You can do an advanced search for the WPL/RN# on the FTC website. It looks like this was made by a company called Junior Wise based in NY. They imported it for Jordan Marsh.

[@sarahs1719]

@@npbsstuff Thank you so much for taking the time to research and respond! Greatly appreciated! 🌞

[@npbsstuff]

@@sarahs1719 I used to live in Mass in the 90s --mostly south shore. 😁

[@sarahs1719]

@@npbsstuff And I grew up in the North Shore but have lived here now for 30 years! . . Thanks again!

[@sarahs1719]

Another question? 🤔 What's the best way to determine a value? It's been preserved like it was made yesterday! I bought it at Savers for $3.99! 🤣 Imagine??