Union Labels

Union Labels pictured here are International Ladies Garment Workers Union (ILGWU), Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees (UNITE), United Hatters, Cap and Millinery Workers International Union (UHCMW), Coat and Suit Industry National Recovery Board, National Recovery Administration (a law that supported workers’ right to join labor unions), New York Creation, Prosanis (1924-1929) = not technically a union, Fashion Originators Guild (1941) – also not technically a union, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America (ACWA), Amalgamated Clothing and Textile Workers Union (ACTWU) and Consumer’s Protection Label (1935-1959).

See also separate entries for Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, Fashion Originators Guild, New York Creation, National Recovery Board, NRA-National Recovery Administration and Prosanis.

ILGWU or the International Ladies Garment Worker Union, was formed in 1900. In 1935 the union became part of CIO. Tags are notable for their “AFL–CIO” attribution or lack thereof. The AFL and the CIO merged in 1955, therefore any ILGWU labels with AFL–CIO (look closely, as it is often very small) on them are post-55.

In 1974 the labels were changed to a red, white, and blue color scheme. This was in conjunction with their efforts to urge Americans to not buy imported goods: Buy American: The Job You Save May Be Your Own. The ILGWU remained active up until 1995, when they merged with another union, Amalgamated Clothing Workers of America, to form UNITE.

Thanks to ikwewe for dating information

Written by pastperfectvintage.com

from a late 1950s dress; label used 1955-1963

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1960s dress; label used 1963-1974

Courtesy of fuzzylizzie.com

from a 1970s coat

Courtesy of RetroRuth UK

Canadian ILGWU used from 1968 to 1984

Courtesy of magsragsvintage

from a late 1960s/early 1970s beach skirt

Courtesy of metroretrovintage

from a 1970s swimsuit

Courtesy of chezmov

from a 1980s dress; label used 1974-1995

Courtesy of cactusandcattails

Union label chart 1

Courtesy of betterdressesvintage.com

Union label chart 2

Courtesy of betterdressesvintage.com

Union label chart 3

Courtesy of betterdressesvintage.com

from a 1951 mens winter coat

Courtesy of themerchantsofvintage

from a men’s late 1960s tweed Norfolk jacket (this label style was used from 1962 to 1976. They do vary within this period)

Courtesy of leonardodavintage

from a late-1970s men’s sport coat

Courtesy of Ranch Queen Vintage

from a pair of 1930s silk pajamas

Courtesy of coutureallurevintage.com

front and back of label from a 1940s hat

Courtesy of Hollie Point Vintage

from a 1940s coat

Courtesy of alonesolo

from a 1971 Chanel copy suit

Courtesy of claireshaeffer

from a 1960s woman’s hat (label used 1934-1983)

Courtesy of denisebrain