RN numbers on clothes labels - what do they mean? The secret dates revealed. Post 453.

RN number on my garment label. Photo by Angela Lansbury. Copyright.

I noticed an RN number on the label of my Anthony Sicary white cardigan. (Details in Post 450 I had always assumed that was the garment's number for the shop to re-order, and the manufacturer to keep track.
I thought that a number on an old garment from a company which was no longer in business would not help you in any way, unless the numbers started from one until they went out of business, in which case you might know which of two garments you owned was made earlier.

However, when at last, I decided to check up on this Ifound that the the manufacturer was obliged to add the number, it was a USA thing, and you might date your garment from the number.
This is what AI told me. Since AI does not give me the source, I cannot tell you the origin to confirm it. I also hope I am not infringing the copyright by giving out information which comes from AI. Her you are:

RN numbers and dating gaments
I looked up RN numbers in google and received an AI (artificial intelligence) reply.
An RN number, or Registered Identification Number, is a unique identifier for the manufacturer, importer, or distributor of a textile product sold in the United States: 
  • What it is: The RN number is usually located on the care label of a garment, often preceded by the letters "RN#". 
  • Who needs one: All domestic textile companies and importers are required to have an RN number. 
  • How to get one: You can apply for an RN number for free on the FTC website. 
  • How to use it: The RN number can be used on product labels instead of the company name. 
  • How to date vintage clothing: You can use the RN number to estimate the age of a garment: 
    • 5 digits: Probably from the 1960s or 1970s 
    • 6 digits: Probably from the 1980s 
    • Low number: For example, 03654, probably from the 1950s 
  • How to look up a company: You can use the RN number to locate companies that imported garments. You can use the RN# Search on Apparel Search. 

  • Since this RN number is five digits, that suggests my garment is from the 1970s or as early as the 1960s.  60 years old! The garment has worn well, from sitting in a drawer, on a hanger, maybe left alone, or worn many times.

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